Pocketables

The Windows Vista Team Blog announced two weeks ago that Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), which became available as a standalone package in mid-March, would be rolled out slowly to users who have "automatic updates" turned on and whose machines don't contain any problematic drivers. Today, those two conditions were met by me and my HTC Shift X9500.

If your hopes were high when the Willcom D4 (Sharp WS016SH) became available for preorder outside of Japan and then dashed when you saw the $1526.33 price tag, then GeekStuff4U.com has some good news for you. The 1.05-pound, 1.33GHz Atom-powered Vista handheld (40GB HDD, 1GB RAM) is now just $1483.42, a full $42.91 off the original preorder price. That's almost a whole 3% off!

With six weeks to go before the D4 is expected to be in stock, will the unit be on the receiving end of additional arbitrary price cuts? Only time will tell, but unless the importer offers a lowest-price guarantee on preorders, I'd wait a bit longer before adding it to your cart.

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With the HTC Advantage X7510 inching ever closer to an official release, I thought it might be worthwhile to take a look at some of the car cradles/mounts that are already available for it.

Like its predecessors (X7501 and X7500), the upcoming unit's 5-inch display, great battery life, and built-in GPS make it well worth considering for use in the car. Mounted to the dashboard or windshield and with or without its magnetic keyboard, the X7510 would make an excellent travel companion not only for its navigational abilities but also for its mobile entertainment functions.

Check out six different mounting solutions compatible with all models of the HTC Advantage below.

If your economic stimulus rebate was earmarked for the FlipStart 1.0 UMPC, which entered the market at $1999 and was eventually marked down to $699, then I'm afraid you'll need to start looking for something else. The mini clamshell is completely sold out.

According to UMPCPortal, FlipStart Labs is "retreating from the UMPC market" and refocusing its efforts on MIDs and smartphones. Corroborating earlier information that retail duties were being taken on by Dynamism, the official purchase page now points to the importer for a slew of FlipStart add-ons. Among the available accessories are the FlipStart Executive Pack ($179), FlipStart Rugged Pack ($99), and FlipStart Style Pack ($89).

So much for the FlipStart 2.0 . . .

After seeing that the CrystalMark 2004R3 results were highest on my HTC Shift when using the default Balanced power plan (as opposed to the High Performance one), one of my favorite readers asked if I could "run the same tests on the TZ to see whether [I got] the same results."

I've posted benchmark results and a performance review of my Sony Vaio TZ170N ultraportable notebook before, but since I never considered the impact of power plans until yesterday and the request did come from a valued commenter, how could I resist?

One of the most common requests I get about my HTC Shift X9500 is to post its CrystalMark results. CrystalMark 2004R3 is the newest version of the benchmark suite and one that is commonly used by UMPC owners to "score" their devices. It's fast and free, so I decided to run it three times: one each for the default power plans in Vista. The results may surprise you.

Originally slated for release in March, the 3G Fujitsu LifeBook U810 shown at CES 2008 is now available for purchase from the Fujitsu Direct Store for $1299 (Vista Home Premium) and $1399 (Vista Business).

In addition to integrated 3G connectivity through AT&T's BroadbandConnect HSPA network (photos of SIM card slot below), the winged unit further distinguishes itself from the original U810 mini notebook in storage capacity (60GB vs. 40GB), width (7.3" vs. 6.73"), and weight (1.61 lbs vs. 1.56 lbs).

Apparently, the only time free wi-fi in public places really makes headlines is when the iPhone is involved. Never mind that T-Mobile handed out free HotSpot passes to Sony PSP and original mylo owners last year, thousands of free access points are available for the Nintendo DS, and the new mylo 2 comes with free wi-fi at McDonald's, AT&T is offering free wi-fi for iPhone users.

Reports are coming in from across the nation that Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and other AT&T hotspot visitors, with iPhone in tow, are being prompted to use their mobile numbers to gain access to a custom portal that leads to (you guessed it) free wi-fi. And as a MacRumors forum member discovered, you don't even need an iPhone to get it. The back-door entrance, which involves faking the phone's user agent on a laptop browser, will likely be sealed as soon as AT&T catches wind of it, but it's wide open right now.

Don't worry. The media has already been alerted.

Update 5.3: AT&T disables free iPhone wi-fi

This has actually been going on behind the scenes for a few months, but with Mother's Day coming up and last-minute shoppers still in need of some gift ideas, I think it's a good time for me to formally announce my new (non-tech) blog network.

Sugar Keeper, as it's called, is currently made up of three sites dedicated to inedible dessert-themed merchandise that could very well appeal to the special lady in your life. Provided that she doesn't have an aversion to super cute sweets that can do everything but be eaten, something on one of the sites should be able to satisfy her calorie-free cravings.

Before you click over, I'd like to stress that Sugar Keeper has nothing to do with technology. So the content probably won't appeal to you at all. That's okay, though, because I'm actually after your women this time. Wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, girlfriends: I want them all. Well, the ones who'd be interested in Tiffany cupcake jewelry, doughnut cell phone charms, and ice cream cone pens, anyway. Prepare yourself for an onslaught of pastels and all kinds of stuff you never knew existed!

When you're ready: Cupcake Bites | Doughnut Bites | Ice Cream Bites

The HTC Shift is the first UMPC to ship with the as-yet-unreleased Origami Experience 2.0, a UMPC-specific software suite designed to provide a "smart, new way to manage your world while you're on the go." The Origami Team Blog (via jkOnTheRun) reveals that the final download package will be available for public download soon, but why wait until then to see how it works and learn how to use it?

Just in time for Mother's Day, NoreveUSA.com is back with another coupon code good for 15% off its extensive selection of top-quality leather cases and accessories. From now until May 18th, Noreve will deduct 15% from all regularly-priced items when you use the MDay15 coupon code at checkout.

From pouches for MP3 players and digital cameras to laptop sleeves and travel accessories, there's sure to be something in the company's catalog to suit Mom's fancy. Check out the Asus Eee PC tradition leather case and leather travel wallet!

I've always been a fan of Noreve cases (reviews here), so I can vouch for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail with no hesitation.