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Sony Ericsson K800i

Software

(Note to self: rename Software category to Technology some day.)

I want the Sony Ericsson K800i. I'm extremely happy with my K750i but this new model has a bigger screen, better camera (3.2 megapixels!) and appears to fix my biggest annoyance: the joystick looks more robust and seems less prone to break down after extensive use. The phone also has tri-band support (so I could use it in the US next summer), UMTS and Bluetooth Stereo (finally, MP3s through a Bluetooth headset, I miss that so much in my current phone).

Unfortunately my KPN subscriptions lasts a while longer, so I'll have to keep using my K750i for a while. On the good side, by the time I have to renew I expect the first 5 megapixel camera phones.. maybe even with Ogg Vorbis support.

I love Bluetooth

Software

Just a year ago, putting my photographs on my was a hassle. I had to take a memory card out of my camera, put it in a USB reader on my desktop, move the picture into my web site's directory and actually insert SQL manually.

These days I have an easy fully-functional upload interface on my web site and use my mobile phone for all pictures. Which is why, when getting a new laptop, I wanted a built-in Bluetooth dongle for just €20 more.

And I love it! I'm sitting on the balcony and transfer files from my phone still inside the house somewhere (no idea and I don't care). Copy, paste and I'm ready to upload! No more worries about cables, ever.

Bluetooth as authentication

Software

Anyone can fake a Bluetooth device ID, so technically my laptop is very insecure at the moment: it locks the screen when I'm away and unlocks it when I'm present, based on the Bluetooth signal of my mobile phone.

May 11 14:58:05 jadzia logger: Phone disappeared, locking KDE.
May 11 15:22:46 jadzia logger: Discovered phone, unlocking KDE.

Not entirely insecure actually: nobody at the office or home is likely to be interested or capable of faking my phone's signal and anyone else would still need keys to gain physical presence (a scenario where an unlocked desktop would be the least of my worries).

How to get a date with Bluetooth

Software

Bluetooth is hip. And not just because you can use it to show off that you have an acceptably recent telephone, laptop or PDA. No, it's actually also useful to exchange v-cards after a business meeting or photos after a concert or other day/night out with friends.

And there's more: Bluejacking. The art of sending messages and photos to unknown devices to initiate contact. And attract sexy girls, apparently. Or so says How to get a date by Blackjacking?.

I have actually gotten a dozen of messages and photos over Bluetooth, so that's fun. Although sometimes in the subway I get icky .sis files which of course I deny, even though they look like viruses for Windows based devices which none of mine are (K750i phone, Linux laptop). But dates? Nope. Still, I like the way they put it:

With the built in camera in your phone you can take your picture and send it to her - moments later you get a tap on the shoulder and ......

Well, you get the idea.

The advantage is that you now have something in common to talk about - the art of BlueJacking.

Best of all this is completely and 100% free of charge - no 10p text messages or phone calls and not finding that the other person lives 150 miles away - they are in the same bar/pub/bowling alley/tube or train as you are.

So the future is Blue, not Orange.

Lovely.

© Copyright 1995-2009 Robert John Kaper. All rights reserved.

Tom has more friends but mine are prettier! (#1/1)