As more devices come equipped with GPS and are able to send and receive location information, GREAT services like Vodacom’s The Grid and Foursquare are becoming really popular.  Mashable published a really good visual on the History of Location Technology that I thought I’d share with my readers.  If you would like to see a larger image, simply click on the one below.  Enjoy!

I was recently in the market for a small video camera but had a rather limited budget. So I did some major comparisons and managed to find a great camera that offers excellent value for money. So much so that I thought it deserved a review on Cellfhelp.

The Samsung Flashcam C10 is NOT for high definition Blue Ray quality movies but as a handy home video, web video camera this offers great features at a great price. I managed to get the entry level one (which does not have internal memory and only uses a memory card) for R1600.00 but you could get its slightly bigger brother from Kalahari.net or other stores for around R1800.00.  I could not find a comparative product for less than R3000.00.

This little camera fits snugly in your hand. It is so small I actually carry it around in my handbag (ok, so I carry three phones and other toys too… but you get the picture).

Features of the entry level camera:

1. SD/HDHC Memory Card expansion slot up to 16GB

2. Lithium Iron battery with 160minutes battery time (I’ve tested this and the battery is really good!)  Depending on the size of your  memory card, you can easily get up to 6 hours of footage.  You can also charge it from the USB cable connected to your PC or laptop.

3. 10x Optical zoom, 12x Digital zoom (which can be turned on or off)

4. 5 different settings from Web Normal (low resolution for uploading to the Web) to Super Fine TV quality.

5. The ability to record in 16:9 Wide screen

6. Different scene settings (sports, portrait, spotlight, beach, snow, high speed, etc)

7. Face detection (really cute feature)

8. Anti-shake (similar to an image stabilizer this helps to keep your video steady while filming).

9. Fader effects

10. Ability to film in Black and White or Sepia.

11. A one-touch button for uploading your video clips directly to YouTube

12. Intelli-studio software for managing your clips.

As an entry-level fun camera, this little gadget is really fun and so easy to use.  The USB connection and intelli-studio software really make it so simple to upload and share your video clips.

If you are looking for high definition quality then this is not the camera for you. In that case we suggest you go for a device from R3000.00 upward and there are some great cameras in that price-range! But if you just want to have some fun catching those cute moments as they happen, then this is a great option.

When it comes to value for money….

I recently upgraded my Blackberry software to the new version 5.  Most people wouldn’t even know that there is a version 5 and – to be honest, there isn’t officially yet. I managed to find a beta version, which I installed on my blackberry.  I’m a total sucker for latest firmware on my phone and I really advise people to upgrade their phone software when they can. Some new versions just include bug fixes and you hardly notice a difference but others will add features to your phone that make you love that little piece of plastic all over again.

NOTE: please backup all your information before you upgrade your software because your phone is wiped clean when the new software is installed.  If you are not a nerdy expert, then DON’T do it yourself. Rather take it to your service provider (MTN, Vodacare, etc) and have them do it. It is well worth the R100 they charge.

Ok, so this week was the BIG APPLE ANNOUNCEMENT week again and on 8 April, I was watching the Internet closely with all the other mobile phonatics (kewl word) to see what Steve Jobs was going to announce for the NEW iPhone operating system version 4.

Here are the cool new things that your iPhone will be able to do when you install the new operating system:

1. Multitasking. This has been iPhone’s biggest downfall.  If you read my  post on Blackberry or iPhone? you’ll notice that I mentioned that I did not like the fact that I couldn’t run twitter or Instant Messaging in the background while doing other things on my iPhone. The iPhone only allows one application to run at a time.  According to Steve Jobs, the reason for this was to preserve battery life.  Apple, as always aims to please, and they have implemented new services into the new OS that will allow for several multitasking services: these include audio streaming, background location (for example using your GPS for navigation or social networking), push notifications and Skype.
2. Folders. The iPhone does not offer any file system. So much so that the last OS release had to include a “Search” facility so that you could find your folders.  In my post I mention that if I want to keep a file on my iPhone I literally have to email it to myself as an attachment and then access the file via email.  Well the new OS 4 gives you a folder system that you can use to organise your data.  You will also be able to drag and drop applications into application folders – that should save you from having to scroll through multiple application screens!
3. Email. It’s no secret that email on the iPhone is clunky at best.  Well the new OS 4 is going to see an entirely redesigned email application.  There will be a unified inbox (where all your incoming messages will be displayed – these could be for different email addresses).  This is a really great feature on the BlackBerry where I can see my text messages, facebook and email messages all in one inbox. Kudos to Apple for this great feature on the iPhone!  It will really improve the email facility.
4. Email. Another great additional feature to email is that you will be able to organize your emails by thread. Thread is where the entire conversation is connected so you can see the previous email to which the current one refers. (Think of it similar to instant messaging where you see the entire conversation in a long string).  This is a very cool feature!
5. Email. The ability to use multiple email services for push email will be enabled. This is great if you are using Exchange and others like Google, etc.
6. iBooks. Thanks to the iPad which came out with a sexy eBook reader called iBooks; the new iPhone OS 4 will have this application too.  I already use Kindle for iPhone and eReader and have read over 23 books on my phone.  Yes on my phone! The reading experience is great; you can choose your background colour, font colour and size, etc – to make it easy on your eyes. So I for one am really looking forward to the Apple reader and the ability to buy books through iTunes.
7. Game Center.  Gaming on the iPhone has become so popular that gaming only devices (such as Nintendo DS or Playstation’s PSP) have seen significant market share decline.  Why buy a gaming device when your phone gives as good an experience?  IPhone OS 4 gives you a social gaming network (similar to that of Xbox Live) which you can use for your iPhone. This is going to be a killer!
8. iAd.  If you want free applications, then advertising comes with it. Apple is launching an advertising platform that offers interactive video content inside the application. The advertising revenue will be split with the developers where they get 60% and Apple 40% in order to incentivise them to lower the cost of their applications.  From a consumer perspective this is great because you pay less for applications and can choose to ignore the adverts if you wish.

These were the highlighted features but according to Steve Jobs, there are many more. Ooooh, it feels as though Steve took my wish list, waved his little Apple wand and made it happen! I can’t wait! I’m already searching for the jailbroken version to come out – children, don’t try this at home – you could end up with a VERY EXPENSIVE coaster. There is no official date for OS4 to be available estimate is in the US Autumn this year. I can’t wait to see it!

If it delivers as promised….

This press release was just issued by Cow Africa. I think it’s a fun initiative! (Please note that this is a direct press release and NOT a Cellfhelp opinion).

7 April 2010

Vodacom’s the Grid, South Africa’s only location-based mobile social network, has partnered with e.tv to show the mood of the country daily, based on the Grid user data.

Users on the Grid can set their mood to happy or sad. Using this data alongside users’ geographical locations, the Grid and e.tv are able to create a Mood Map of the country, similar to that of the weather map.

From 7 April 2010 e.tv will feature the Mood Map every morning after the weather report on Sunrise (weekdays from 6AM to 8AM), breaking the mood percentages for each of the nine provinces down into “happy” and “sad”, for instance, “Gauteng is 73% happy today, but KZN is 64% sad”. Only mood updates made in the preceding 24 hours will be used to make the provincial and overall country calculations.

e.tv will use their weather software to automatically collect the data from the Grid on a daily basis to compile the Mood Map animation for broadcast.

The partnership is a first of its kind and sees a news channel using data from a social networking platform for statistical purposes.

e.tv’s executive producer, Nicholas Maphopha says, “Sunrise is always looking at being innovative by introducing new technologies that will make the show more interactive. The mood maps can potentially gauge viewers’ moods on topics covered in the show, the weather or issues happening in their daily lives.”

Says Vincent Maher, Portfolio Manager Social Media, Vodacom South Africa: “The partnership with e.tv is a great interactive way for users of a social network like the Grid to see how their actions influence the general mood of the country. We are using the data from a social network in an innovative way by showing users how their mood updates contribute to the overall mood of the country or province.”

To access the Grid, SMS ‘MOOD’ to 33313 (50c/SMS) or visit http://onthegrid.mobi/

On this site, I’ve looked at the history of mobile phone design, the most expensive phones in the world and today I’d like to show you some totally outrageous phone designs.  These designs range from the arbitrary to the ludicrous but most will make you wonder, “What were they thinking?!” (Or if they were thinking at all.) But as the competition for market share heats up, the designers need to get creative …

The Natural Year Phone by Je-Hyun Kim

All-righty-then… this “green” phone was created to encourage recycling.  The body is made of hay (yea, right, some call it ‘hay’) and it disintegrates within 2 years.  The hideous design makes it look like a cow-pattie and of course, if you can’t get signal, you can always smoke it…..

The Pantech phone is interesting because it looks like a regular phone, right? Well it has one difference. This phone makes “ultrasonic” noises to repel mosquitoes.  Unlike a silent dog whistle, this noise can be heard by humans and tends to get very annoying – so you might end up repelling friends as well as mozzies.

Windows phone – with a difference – by Seunghan Song

This phone gets its name from the fact that it literally looks like a little window, and not due to its operating system.  If you’ve always wanted a transparent phone, then this is the gadget for you.  It’s most popular feature? Giving you a realistic weather forecast…. Including droplets on the screen when it is raining outside.

Another transparent phone is the Radia – a circular phone by Michael Laut.  Going for a completely new look, this design throws the baby out with the bathwater, and delivers a completely useless form factor.

The next two phones get their inspiration from old scrolls.  The first is the Chinese Scroll by Yun Liang.  The buttons are on the outside of the scroll and the display can be rolled out and back in again. I could imagine stringing some chain between two of these and using them as Nunchucks – Ka Pow! Self defense feature!

The second scroll-like phone takes security conscious to a whole new level! The Cryptex Mobile phone is so complex that it takes a person more than four minutes just to dial a phone number!  The phone uses ciphers (mathematical algorithms) as security features and each number has its own unique code. So if you want to dial an 8-digit telephone number, you literally have to type in 8 different codes.  Not the solution you’d choose in case of an emergency.

Do you have games ON YOUR PHONE? The Easy Tiles Phone by Tzu-Fu Wang gives new meaning to “adding games or applications” to your phone.  Each application or game is a tile that you slide in and around your phone.  You can select the components you want and “create” your ideal phone with only the features and applications that you want.  Interesting……

I’ve heard of phones for geeks but this one takes the cake! How about this little scientist’s delight – the molecule phone?

Wearable technology has been a popular topic of conversation.  From paranoia about barcodes tattooed on your forehead, to chips under the skin, to what pouch you can hitch on your belt – there are opinions aplenty!  Here are some rather interesting designs for “wearable” mobile phones.

The bracelet phone by Tao Ma is an interesting design.  Apparently if you have two, you can hook them together to make handcuffs. I think you’d look quite silly plugging your wrist into a wall socket to charge your bracelet, but I’m sure it appeals to some….

The Finger touching idea by Sunman Kwon uses an infrared keypad displayed on your hand to operate the phone which is also secured around your wrist.

The hand phone uses the standard hand signal for phoning (thumb and pinky) to hold the mike and speaker up to your head while you use the phone that is secured around your hand.  I think it is ugly and both of these options don’t offer anything spectacularly more convenient than I’d get by holding my phone in my hand.

The Nokia 888 is a bendable phone that you could wrap around your wrist like a bracelet, around your head like an Alice band or clip onto your clothes.  It works through touch and voice recognition and folds open flat like a ruler.

Talk about a Swiss Army knife phone! When someone said, “Hey why don’t we add a video camera to the phone?” they were taken literally! The Telson TWC is as James Bondy as you can get. The phone is worn as a watch and has a built in camera.

Mobile phones were once called “bricks” and said to be useful only for “self-defense” well this Nokia gun phone doozie (or should I say Uzi) is in a class (make that caliber) of its own.  I suppose it would need a holster shaped pouch. Don’t press the wrong button when you answer…..

The Glove phone is connected to a Bluetooth headset.  I could imagine it being used by motorcyclists, in extreme weather conditions or by rescue workers.  There is also an emergency button.

Our final phone in the “wearable” class is the Hyundai MP-280.  This phone is not worn as an accessory like the previous phones but its unique claim to fame is that the little butterfly button is used to spray perfume on the owner. Hmmm…. I’d hate to see that liquid damage if it sprung a leak…

Looks delicious!

Ronald McDonald may have inspired these little gadgets.  The hamburger phone (a land line phone) was seen in the movie “Juno” and is probably one of the top selling teenage must-haves in America.

In case you’d like to go for the “whole meal”, why not add a little fries with that?

If you don’t feel like a burger, you can always opt for the sandwich phone.

For those who are a little more health-conscious, why not go for a bright red apple?

Some bad habit designs are those that exploit other vices.  Take for example these two – our final in the weird design post.  While this one is quite cute, the matchbox phone seems very impractical, unlike its partner in crime, the cigarette box phone.

What will they think of next?….

Apple is suing HTC, who is suing…..

The mobile phone business is extremely competitive and as one handset manufacturer showcases a new feature, all the others scramble to beat it. A perfect example is when Apple launched the iPhone (an absolute game changer), then other manufacturers had to come out with new phones – touted as “iPhone killers”.

So in the feeble effort to protect their groundbreaking feats of technology (please note the sarcasm in my typing here…), the handset companies file hundreds and thousands of patents.  When it comes to pointing fingers at the opposition, these guys are worse than FIFA! A quick Google search will show you hundreds of law suites where one handset company is suing another.  When the proverbial you-know-what hit the fan earlier this year, I considered blogging about it, but as the accusations flew and each handset manufacturer countered an attack with one of their own – I decided that this subject was best left to the lawyers and gossip mongers.

In one of the most rediculous cases, Apple is suing another company for allowing users to unblock their touch screen device by swiping their finger across the screen. Everyone knows that’s how you unlock your iPhone…. naughty, naughty to copy such an innovative, world changing idea! (Read more sarcasm here)…

Well, fortunately there are some who find humour in every situation and today I found this awesome clip on YouTube called “Apple vs Predator”.  I thought I’d share it with you all. Enjoy!

Once again MXiT is in the news but this time, they’re coming out hard and strong with their initiative to “crack down” on abuse.  Of the 15 million South African subscribers, they say 1% are “degenerate” and abuse the service, sending explicit or offensive material.

MXiT has decided to take a “zero tolerance” approach and will ban these users without warning.  They do not monitor private conversations between friends but will be monitoring all public chat room conversations.

CEO and founder, Herman Heunis is actively involved with other cyber crime prevention initiatives and has been very vocal in recent media explaining, “ “Until very recently, we had great difficulty in identifying and tracking these degenerates, but – with new developments – we are now in a situation where they leave a definite electronic footprint. This makes it possible to clean up the user base and get rid of people who are “not wanted on our platform”.

I think that it is great when a social media platform takes a stance such as this, but with any technology or communication system, there is always a danger that you may encounter someone with bad motives.  As a mother of two boys, I take the stance that I monitor very strictly what they are allowed to see online. They surf the web under my supervision and I censor what they may and may not view.  This does mean that I need to understand the technology and take the time to sit with them while we research “Box jellyfish” or whatever their latest interest.  As they get older, I understand that this could become more difficult but the understanding is that I make the technology available to my children under very tight controls.  I would never allow them to walk into a strip club or other “unsavoury” location so why allow them free access on the Internet?

When it comes to MXiT, the users determine the value of the technology and 99% of people use it for the fun, affordable means of communication for which it was developed.  (See my post “MXiT: Angel or Demon“). Technology companies often do all they possibly can to protect their users, and I applaud that, however I believe that the ultimate responsibility lies with the parents to make sure that their children are aware of the dangers and know how to protect themselves online.