K2 has a number of GREAT new additions, but I won’t go into them here. If you’re interested in reading about what’s new, check out K2’s page. So far, I’m happy with the update.
Links:
GetK2
Monthly Archive for September, 2006
Updated to K2 0.9.1 today. Notice addition of the “rolling archives.” Minor interface changes, and Live Search works as it should have from the beginning.
So, now that I have a video iPod, I’ve been researching the various ways that I can import videos onto it. Of course, I’m also considering this same thing because I DO plan on purchasing an iTV (or whatever they name it) when it is released. This brings me to my point.
Conversion is relatively easy. Rip the “main feature” using MacTheRipper, compress it using HandBrake. The problem comes in deciding what compression format to use. Below is a picture of the introduction to Oceans Twelve using MPEG4 compression. Notice the pronounced digitizing around the centered image.
Now, the same movie, at the exact same time in the film, compressed with H.264:
So, it’s quite obvious that, on the subject of quality, H.264 wins out; but it’s not that simple. See, the problem is that the H.264 flick took nearly 24 hours to render, whereas the MPEG4 was nearly half that. Both films ended up at about 1 GB each, so size was not a factor. Actually, you can choose a “target size” in HandBrake, which is quite nice. The main problem here is that I have a laptop and that means that I don’t just leave my computer on for days at a time doing nothing but compressing video. Simply put, it’s very inconvenient; but I’m a freak for quality.
Now, if my uncle would hurry up and get a new laptop (and thus bequeath his 17″ 1.67Ghz G4 PowerBook to me), then it wouldn’t be so much of an issue. I simply cannot justify getting a whole new Mac simply to do videos. What’s a boy to do?
So, I purchased my first BlackBerry today. I’ve been telling myself for the last few months that the E61 was working, but…it simply wasn’t. Oh…there were a number of things that I wasn’t happy with, but mostly my decision came down to two things: 1) size: the E61 wasn’t very pocketable. 2) I couldn’t categorize tasks. Oh, there was a third thing: my contact categories were lost during a a sync. Definite problems for me.
So, I’ve been researching phones for a long time now. I needed a phone that was simple, but had advanced calendaring functions and advanced contact management. It couldn’t run on the Windows Mobile platform and it had to be iCal and vCard compatible. Okay, I guess I’m really discerning.
The point to all this is that such a phone is hard to come across. Then I read that BlackBerry had release a new phone. Enter the Pearl.
I’d been tempted to purchase a BlackBerry for some time now, but last I read, they had problems syncing with the Mac. Well, that has changed. Not only do they sync now, but the necessary software doesn’t cost a dime. So, I’d found a possible candidate. More research showed me that I was on to something.
So, I haven’t had much time to use this bad boy, but as soon as I do, I’m going to post some more info (I know I said that about the E61, but this time…I promise).
Update:
I obtained a beta copy of PocketMac today and have began syncing between my PowerBook and the Pearl. BEAUTIFUL!
More On The Pearl
Undoubtedly, the BlackBerry Pearl is the BEST phone I’ve ever owned. The best. Period. End of story. The more I use this device, the more I REALLY
likelove it. I’ve had a few days to mess with it and this is what I’ve come up with:1) It’s a phone first, a BlackBerry second. If you’ve ever used a Treo, then you know this statement doesn’t apply. The Treo is a PDA with a phone. The Pearl is a phone with some SERIOUS Personal Information Management capabilities.
2) I have a beta version of PocketMac for the phone and it has been working great. I’ve been providing feedback for what problems I have found, but for the most part…it’s phenomenal. The Treo is no longer the best smartphone for the Mac. Categories for contacts, appointments, and tasks ALL transfer beautifully.
3) It’s SMALL! It disappears into my pocket and I forget it’s there - literally. No, really…I’ve found myself wondering where it’s at twice now.
4) The lack of a full QWERTY keyboard has NOT been a hinderance to me at all. Nope. Not at all. It’s taken me a little while to get used to the SureType software, but I’ve got it now and I’m just about as fast as I was on the Treo or E61.
5) Picture quality is on-par with other 1.3MP cameras; especially in the day light. I’ll post some example pics here soon, but this cam is light years ahead of my V710 and the Treo (the E61 was lacking a camera).
6) The MP3 playback is a bit lame, but then again, I don’t care about that or video playback for that matter. Not in the least. That’s what iPods are for.
7) The phone is uber-customizeable. Automatic backlight control (like the E61) helps out for great battery life.
So, that said, here are a few tricks I’ve learned.
1) Disable “Data Connection Refused” error. Go into options/settings, network, and turn Data Services off, reboot phone. Use this if you don’t have/need a data plan from T-Mobile.
2) In “Zen” themes, the first five applications listed are what show on the home screen. Use the BlackBerry key to move an application to the first of the list.
3) Also use the BlackBerry key in the apps menu to “hide” an application you don’t want to see or won’t be using.
4) Send files via Bluetooth to the Mac - Find the file you want (a picture for example) and use the BlackBerry key to “Send File Using Bluetooth.” Make sure you’ve paired your device to the Mac already. Things will flow smoothly.
5) Send files from the Mac to the Pearl - Navigate to the folder you want to receive the file into (media/pictures/device_memory for instance), use the BlackBerry key to “Receive Using Bluetooth.” Then use the Mac Bluetooth “Send File…” option. The Mac may say the transfer failed, but it didn’t. The file will be on the pearl. Repeat steps for each file.
I’ll post more updates as I learn more, but….for now…that’s all I have.