Archive for September, 2008
Desktop PC Power On Your Shadow
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out and about and remembered that I forgot to do something on my PC. Sometimes it would be as simple a task as grabbing a certain file or setting Tivo Desktop to convert some shows for me. Other times it would be something a bit more involved like grabbing a particular torrent or setting the computer to defrag. Maybe I just wanted to turn it off and limit my carbon footprint on our wonderful world. There are many solutions for controlling a home PC when away and most require some sort of over-involved witchcraft with firewalls, routers, DNS services, processes, services and your first born child. I wanted something that would just work and I found it in RDM+. › Continue reading
Poll: Pick Your Color for the G1
If you’re getting a G1, then you’re faced with the decision of color: black, brown, or white. We’re curious - which are you most likely to go with?
A Beginner’s Guide to the G1
We know you love your Shadow but since the G1 is still in the nursery and not ready to take home we are going to tell you a little bit more about this baby. There is still much love for the Shadow and more great how-to’s and tutorials on the way as well as some pretty cool software we’ve found so stay tuned.
The manual for the G1 is now available. We’re hosting a local copy so it doesn’t disappear. Below are some highlights about the basic functions and buttons that you might care to know about. So keep reading… › Continue reading
Introducing the AllShadow.com Wiki!
Today we’re excited to announce the launch of the AllShadow.com Wiki - which will act as comprehensive gathering of AllShadow.com tips, tricks, how to’s and information, that is editable by everyone in our community. We have the Wiki integrated with our forum user database, meaning, to login, just use your existing username and password (but note: leave any spaces out of your name. e.g. “Jon Jones” would be “JonJones”). You don’t need to login to view the Wiki.
There are some rules (they’re easy, we promise):
1. Please don’t use the wiki to promote personal websites unless they are directly relevant to the Shadow.
2. Please help to keep the wiki clean of spam and grammatical/spelling errors by using the “edit” function after you login. As with any wiki, you can see a history of changes made to a particular entry.
3. Please limit discussion to our forums.
Please join me in giving a huge thanks to jsmccabe78, who did the initial population of the Wiki. He volunteered a ton of time getting things started.
That’s it! Now go enjoy our shiny new Wiki =D!
P.S. Once you take a look, please come back here and give us some feedback on the Wiki.
SkyFire Now in Open Beta with New Version!
So you’ve been waiting and waiting. Perhaps you got in on a beta and perhaps you took advantage of a Beta code. Wait no longer. SkyFire is back in force with an updated version, with new features, improvements and open enrollment.
Some New Features:
- Superbar - search and enter urls in the same place
- Share content - SMS, Email a page/link with friends right from Skyfire
- Better Video Quality
- Ability to make SkyFire the default browser
- Faster launch and reconnect
Keep reading for more information from SkyFire.
G1 All Dressed Up UPDATED
T-Mobile has gone official with the G1 and the product site is even live now. For those that don’t know, the G1 is the product of a partnership between Google, HTC and T-Mobile. It runs the Google Android operating system which is a user friendly mobile derivative of Linux. The touchscreen slides out to reveal the full QWERTY keyboard. The home screen is customizable, like any desktop should be, and it packs a 3MP camera for better pictures.
Check out the teaser intro at t-mobileg1.com. Or if you prefer to have a more informative video go to http://t-mobileg1.com/g1-announcement.aspx. You can pre-order one for as low as $179.99 plus all the usual taxes, fees, and two year agreement. EDIT: Alternatively, it is available for $399 contract free and can be unlocked after 90 days if your account is in good standing
Other details from around the web:
- Amazon has an MP3 store app for the G1
- No 3.5MM jack
- Google is heavily integrated including Search, Maps, Push Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, Google Talk and YouTube all accessible from one single sign on
- HSDPA 1700/1200 plus Quadband EDGE, so yes it uses the new 3G network
- WiFi
- Accelerated 3D graphics
- 1GB on board storage plus a microSD slot
- Ability to purchase apps from the device (hey, we have that already)
- Bluetooth but apparently no A2DP support… (bummer)
- No desktop sync or Microsoft Exchange support
- EDIT: Because it is based on Linux, Android will accept updates OTA (Over The Air) and should not require you to completely lose all your data during updates to the OS.
- EDIT: has a Trackball (this should prove useful for games and browsing)
Engadget has some videos here, here and here. Stay tuned for more news to come later.
Tomorrow: T-Mobile Makes the G1 Official
Big news for those of us with our eye on the HTC Dream, aka T-Mobile G1, aka the first Android handset to launch anywhere: tomorrow is the big day when we’ll find out everything about the new device from T-Mobile.
P.S. Why are we talking about the HTC Dream? We’ve decided to cover this device (in addition to the Shadow and Shadow II), as we’ve received a lot of feedback from you that along with the Shadow II, the Dream may be your next phone. Not only do we now have a Dream forum, but we’ll be offering the same sort of tips and tricks on the device in the future that we do on the Shadow. We’ll also have a review and impressions of the device as soon as we’re legally able to do so =D.
And of course, we have plenty more Shadow love to go around.
SkyFire News and Code
Two Announcements! Ever since we first told you about SkyFire it seems like everyone has been trying to get their hands on an invitation code. Some AllShadow Community Members have found a code hidden in the forums. We don’t want to leave everyone out though so lucky for you there are a few open codes working for you to use. Go to http://www.skyfire.com/sign-up/beta2 to start and use the Beta Code ‘phelps8′ or ‘michael8′. Be sure to follow the instructions and wait for your SMS with the download link.
Now for a teaser, SkyFire has some news. I’m not allowed to tell you about it today, but if you come back on Wednesday you will find out. It might be 9 am or 9 pm (PST) so be sure to check both times. In the meantime sign up with the Beta code above. : )
Poll: How Often Do You Drop Your Shadow?
A little poll to kick off your weekend.
Fortunately for those of that are rough with their phones, the electronics inside of the Shadow are so tightly packed that it can withstand a lot of abuse without parts rattling around inside, thus causing it to malfunction. On the other hand, the result of multiple drops and abuse may be a Shadow that looks like it has been chewed by your rottweiler…full of scars and bruises. So…how often do you drop your phone? And…for those of you who have an almost scratch-free Shadow, what tips can you offer the rest of us to keep it lookin’ pretty?
P.S. Did you drop your Shadow in the water (read: toilet)? See this post.
Help us to Make AllShadow.com Better!
This site has grown a ton. The community is vibrant, the content we post is useful and interesting (according to what we are told), and we’re even getting T-Mobile sales reps to recommend the site to people that buy a Shadow in stores (amazing, we know!).
That said, we want to be even better. This will be pretty open ended. How can we make this site better? Should we cover more phones? Do more videos? Add more forums? Change the design? Throw in some contests? Switch to iPhone? Just kidding on that last one! Or, is everything peachy keen with you? Be creative, and tell us in the comments!
P.S. We have a wiki coming very, very soon…so you won’t have to suggest that =D.
Want More Game Emulators?
We’ve shown you the Old School Nintendo (NES) and Super
Nintendo (SNES) on the Shadow, now you should try out the other emulators. TheAlbinoRooster made a great post about 6 game emulators that work on the Shadow (Windows Mobile Standard). In addition to the previously mentioned ones, you can run Sega Genesis, Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Color and Old School Gameboy as well. So stretch out your thumbs and head over to the thread.
The Next Mobile Generation
Many of us have been using mobile devices for awhile and as Windows Mobile and applications evolve so do the mobile sites we visit. From time to time, I make it a point to revisit favorite sites of mine explicitly to find if they have a mobile or improved mobile version. As it seems, many sites are still a bit behind on their mobile sites, whereas most are developed with standard cell phones in mind.
On the other hand, there are quite a few sites that give the term ‘mobile site’ a good name. I’m talking about functional and effective sites here. Mobile Facebook and MySpace are great but wouldn’t you rather visit them on a desktop browser? How about driving directions or business searching? My opinion is that the latter two aren’t developed fully enough. I have mentioned integration briefly before, but I would really like to see a more complete desktop/SMS/mobile/application solution out of the bigger companies. Keep reading for full disclosure…
Duke Nukem 3D on the Shadow
Fans of the Duke will be happy to know that you can play Duke Nukem 3D on the Shadow or other Windows Mobile Standard phones. Thanks to ojoj1010 for posting this in the forums. The thread is comprehensive and helps you get a grip on controlling your own little piece of the action so be sure to give it a good read as it is will surely help. You can also find the link to download the game there as well. Enjoy!
Exclusive: HTC Talks About the Current T-Mobile Offering
We have a special treat for you. Some of the guys at HTC have put together a hilarious video about the current T-Mobile offering that is educational for those that aren’t in the know. You might notice a few things that surfaced here at AllShadow.com. Watch the video that only we have above and enjoy!
More Free Java Games!
Lloyd strikes again with a recommendation for an easy to use site called mobile9.com for free Java games. They don’t have the Shadow listed so I’ve saved you the time of messing around with drop down fields to get straight at the good stuff. As with any Java games some work and some do not so play around and let us know which ones you like in the comments.
To get games, from your PC, go to http://gallery.mobile9.com/c/240-320-mobile-java-games/1/?fi=43 and find the game you want. In the info box it will tell you to go to wap.mobile9.com and enter in the code. Do that and you should be on your way to gaming bliss. If the files aren’t downloading correctly try entering in JAD and JAR into Feadie.
