My Handy Resources

Navigation Software

dynamo-dave — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:06:30 +0000

In the last couple of years there have been several phones on the market with built in GPS receivers, some like the HTC Touch could connect via bluetooth to a GPS receiver.

This gave access to navigation software, no more having separate devices it can now be all in your phone.

In 2008 I purchased TomTom for my HTC Touch and used it to navigate around Europe, the route planning and visuals were excellent.

When I got the iPhone I tried using the builtin “Maps’ app which was Ok for finding out where you were in a city, but it lacked that all essential turn-by-turn commands.

When Apple finally released 3.0 this changed, TomTom was finnally made available for the iPhone.

I purchased a copy as soon as it was available on the AppStore, I have used it several times to navigate around Austria and it works well.

It just needs the car holder which TomTom has promised us iPhone users for the last 2 months.

Yesterday I noticed that the iphone.tomtom.com site showed it as available so I immediately purchased one, now I am pacing up and down by my postbox.

Will let you know if it is worth the wait….

Mobile Apps

dynamo-dave — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:55:25 +0000

Without these your smartphone is just another dump phone, you must have that app that turns your phone into a spirit level !

Apple made the iPhone number one with the creation of the “App Store”, developers are falling over themselves to create the must-have-app which could be downloaded by millions of users worldwide.

Other mobile phone manufactures are starting to catch up and it is good to see that downloading apps to other smartphones is now possible.

I would like to say a big thankyou to all the developers out there producing great applications for our phones.

One of my favourite iPhone apps is called “Fahrplan” by Frank Vercruesse and is currently free. As the name suggests it allows you to find out the times of trains/trams/busses from you current location or another, you can even specify a destination. While hanging out at my favourite bar I can lookup the next bus and decide whether to have one more or run for it !

These useful apps is what we need, my kids may prefer the games but I want apps that add value to my life !

My Handy Smartphone

dynamo-dave — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:34:34 +0000

Here in Germany a mobile phone is called a ‘handy’, which the modern smartphone definately is with calendar, email and Fring.

A couple of years ago I purchased the HTC Touch and was very impressed with its MMI. At times the phone was a bit unresponsive (smart phone functionality was available before mobile cpus had the power), it did everything I wanted it do and was very tempted to replace it with the latest HTC offering.

But then came the iPhone and the smartphone has been redefined !

A friend of mine got one and I was in awe of the interface, made my HTC look dated which is was.

Of course the iPhone would be nothing without the wonderfull AppStore. Mobile Apps now thats another story.

I was reluctant to get an iPhone, why should Apple have exclusive deals with a sinlge mobile operator in each country ? Other makes and models of phone were available from any operator. Did this not reduce competition?

Then the iPhone 3G hit the market, my 2 year contract was coming to an end and you guessed it I had to have one.

Lucky for me I have a contract with T-Mobile which has the exclusive deal with Apple here in Germany so I did not have to change operators with all the bueracracy that involves.

Yes, I have sold my soul to Apple to get my hands on the best smartphone in 2008.