Tag Archives: experiment

iPod vs. Front Row Experiment

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Today, I left my house in a rush. I did not have time to sync up my iPod to my MacBook Pro. I drive 97 miles to get to a class, so I need my new podcasts. I grabbed my Apple Remote and took my fully charged MacBook Pro on the road. I used a tape adapter to hook up the car and computer. I turned off Airport to conserve battery power. I own an inverter, but I didn’t have time to hook it up.

I’ve got to say that Front Row with a remote works much better than using an iPod. The big fonts helped me see the screen while I was driving. I wasn’t fumbling with a scroll wheel and trying to see a miniscule screen (I have a 3G iPod). Maybe it’s me, but I have trouble landing on the exact file I want using the scroll wheel.

I was able to listen to my podcasts that I had downloaded last night and the 97 miles wasn’t too bad. In addition to the podcasts, I had access to my videos as well. No need to transcode a video into a music file. When I drive long distances, I’d rather hear longer form shows. That way, I’ve only heard 2 or 3 different things on the drive home. If I hear ten three-minute songs, I know I’ve still got a lot of songs to go before I get home.

I would enjoy listening to Simpsons episodes without having to make them audio-only files. This brings me back to the UMPC. No need to transcode, it plays anything. Maybe the UMPC could be the ultimate car computer. It’s not that great to carry around, but in a car, I bet it’s got a useable display especially if it runs a Media Center-like interface.

So for long car rides, Front Row beats iPod for driving. It prevents staring at a small screen. Maybe someone can run an empirical study on this.

Upcoming Experiment: Thin Client

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Right now surpluscomputers.com is running a deal – they are selling thin clients for $20 a pop. For that deal, click here.

It runs Windows CE and I’m not sure what exactly I am going to do with two of them. I have to round up a PS/2 mouse and keyboard to use with this thing. I’m thinking a dumb internet terminal.

Check back in a couple of days and I’ll let you know what usage I find for it.

Test: Skype + Bluetooth Headset + MacBook Pro

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I am currently without a landline phone. I have relocated for the summer and I chose not to get a standard phone. I have high-speed Internet access, so I decided to use Skype on a MacBook Pro and I just added a Bluetooth headset so I could talk and walk away from my computer if necessary.

The Bluetooth headset I purchased is a Sony Ericsson Akono Headset HBH-608. I am unfamiliar with Bluetooth headsets in general and after my wife went through a bunch of reviews, this is the one I chose. It can be used with cell phones and VOIP, plus it was about $50 – a decent price.

Skype is offering free Skype Out calls for at least the end of the year. I’ve tried out the headset the past two days. The included documentation claims that the headset has a 5 meter range. I don’t that’s quite accurate. While the headset does function within 5 meters of my MacBook Pro, the sound quality becomes static-y. Now, I’m not sure if that is a function of the headset, Skype, or the fact I live in an area with many wireless networks.

The headset is comfortable for about an hour and half. After about that time, the headset became uncomfortable. The speaker hits a very odd spot on my ear – it hits above my ear canal and falls into a ridge (perhaps a diagram would be helpful). Otherwise, the audio quality is quite good.

It works quite well with both iChat and Skype audio chats. OS X found the headset quickly and pairing was relatively painless. The combination doesn’t completely replace a real phone, I still use my cell phone on occasion. I’d like to put together a USB device that works with Skype with a standard phone because standard phones are more comfortable for some situations. Currently, the only USB devices that work with Skype and a standard phone are compatible with Windows only. I have Parallels Desktop; I think I could have the USB device work on it or I could use my old Windows laptop.

The test has been successful for now. I use the phone for maybe an hour a day so the headset, Skype, and MacBook Pro is a reasonable solution.