Direct communication between cell phones using flashlight and camera

Aside from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth near field communication (NFC) cell phones can communicate (theoretically) by sending signals with a camera flashlight and receiving them with a camera. As alternative, the phone's screen can be used as a transmitter.


Here is document (a copy) and video describing similar communication method.

Also there are mysterious Morse Code apps I have to explore: http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/morse+code+communication

DECT cordless phones can talk to each without the base station

In discussion http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=517690 user xts says:

"You may take a pair of handsets from your home for a picnic and talk in a walkie-talkie mode, even if handsets are out of range of your base station."

Interesting idea. I have to give it a try.

And duplicate records again...

Once on rainy Monday morning (like there is no better time for the error ;-)
Blackberry Desktop manager 6.0.0.43 gave up synchronizing my tasks with the Intellisync message "Connector specific error" which believed to be the sort of "Hell Knows What Happened" type of error message in the BDM v6.0.

Desktop.log said: "|ERROR|1|Rim.Desktop.Services.Device|0|[IRIMRasConnectionManagerImpl::_get_connection_entries] RasEnumEntries failed. Error: 26D"

And the synchronize.log said: "{0x670} CXLB[CXLBWrapperImpl::TranslateByIndex@902] CXLB_dTranslateByIndex failed with error code 0x80043C0A (ERRH_ENGINE_CONNECTORSPECIFIC)" and "{0xC7C} CXLB[CXLBWrapperImpl::TranslateByIndex@902] CXLB_dTranslateByIndex failed with error code 0x80040FB3 (Unknown error)"

None of that sound relevant to the fix: show completed tasks and kill dupes ;-)

See my previous posting about Blackberry Duplicate tasks

Blackberry Tasks Duplicate Record Internal Error #4238 Transaction Cancelled

Mobile Platform: Blackberry 8320 v4.5.0.110 (Platform 2.7.0.90)
Mobile Application: Tasks v4.5.0
Wireless Service Provider: AT&T in Brooklyn, NY

Desktop Platform: Windows 2000 Server v5.00.2195 SP4
Desktop Application: Blackberry Desktop Manager v4.2.2.14

Symptoms: Blackberry Tasks synchronization fails with $subj message.
Solution: Eliminate duplicate task records on the Blackberry Device:
1) Show completed tasks.
2) Sort tasks by subject.
3) Locate first group of tasks with the same subjects and remove all of the duplicates.
4) Attempt synchronization again. If the same error occur - repeat step 3).

Other solution that either did not help me or I never tried them:
Internal Error 4238 Transaction Cancelled for Microsoft Outlook
How to delete the Intellisync folder if synchronization is unsuccessful
How to turn on advanced synchronization logging for Intellisync when BlackBerry smartphone synchronization fails // comprehensive tutorial on how to overwhelm yourself with the useless and obscure log messages ;-)
Sync problem with Microsoft Office // personally preferred, but did not help either

PDF viewer for RIM BlackBerry

CrackBerry people recommend BeamBerry

... www.cerience.com/products/reader/ or Premium Edition of Documents...

say people from BlackBerry Support Forum

BlackBerry Date/Time Source

BlackBerry Date/Time Source Explained

1. Set it to BlackBerry (the default), which gathers the information from the BlackBerry network, i.e. the RIM NOC.

2. Set it to Network, which gathers the information from the wireless carrier network, whether AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Rogers, O2, Vodafone, etc.

3. Set if to Off, which does not gather any info. You set it and maintain it yourself.

Explanation: BB's Implementation of Time Zones

...this post to elaborate on the Blackberry FAQ, cited below, and to offer a real life example of how the Rim technique works. I hope it will clear up some of the confusion around this topic...

Date/Time and Time Zone Settings: BEWARE!

Network: Your phone time setting is synchronized with your wireless provider’s network time setting. That is the local time of the cell tower your phone is currently connected to wirelessly.

BlackBerry: Your phone time setting is synchronized with the BlackBerry network’s time setting. I guess that RIM has servers all over the world that know the time where they are.

Off: No external time source is used to synchronize your phone time setting.

fit-PC Slim

На рынок выходит самый портативный PC

Процессор — 500-мегагерцевый AMD Geode LX800, память 512 мегабайт (333 мегагерца), жёсткий диск на 60 гигабайт. Порты Ethernet, WLAN, USB 2.0 и прочие — всё как у взрослых. Операционная система — Linux Ubuntu 8.04 плюс Gentoo 2008.0, либо Windows XP Home SP3.

EN: fit-PC Slim

fit-PC Slim is a Windows/Linux computer squeezed into a 330cc enclosure - 40% smaller than the 560cc fit-PC 1.0
Miniaturization does not mean compromising on features - fit-PC Slim adds memory, WiFi, a third USB port, a power button, LED's and a redesigned hard disk mounting for easy upgrade. The stylish design of fit-PC Slim is an advantage where the industrial look of fit-PC 1.0 would appear out-of-place.

MEMBRANA | Мировые новости | Китайцы выпустили мини-ноу�

MEMBRANA Мировые новости Китайцы выпустили мини-ноу�

Wearable computers database

http://www.redwoodhouse.com/wearable/

Linux-powered mobile phones

Neo1973 with OpenMoko $300 - $450
Greephone from Trolltech $695 USD (Sold out)
As of Apr 7, 2008 devices in both stores were "sold out" and Greenphone line is permanently closed with suggestion to purchase Neo1973.

Palm is developing Linux-based OS for Treos and Google pushing Android Linux-based mobile application framework conceptually similar to OpenMoko.

References:
Second open Linux phone goes on sale
Palm touts stability of Linux-based Treos

disabling shutter sound on samsung sgh-t609

http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1035641&highlight=shutter+noise

Panoramic Adapter for Digital Camera

Создание панорамных фотографий с помощью GigaPan осуществляется следующим образом: обыкновенный цифровой фотоаппарат устанавливается на специально разработанную роботизированную насадку для штатива.

Затем робот-штатив делает от нескольких десятков до сотен снимков предлагаемой местности (на максимальном оптическом приближении) в течение приблизительно 10-30 минут, а приложение GigaPan Stitcher (которое пользователь может установить на своём компьютере) автоматически "сшивает" снимки в один. Как утверждают создатели ПО, "с минимальным содействием со стороны пользователя".

how to use one iPod with two computers

apple: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61675
Rachael Smithey: http://macs.about.com/od/ipod/a/itunes_dedicate.htm
ipodhacks.com: http://forums.ipodhacks.com/archive/index.php/t-441.html

Conclusion: Set iPod to "manual mode" or use third party soft instead of iTunes

Handhelp Laser Projector

Цифровой видеопроектор размером с кубик сахара:

Так, вместо традиционных газоразрядных ламп авторы проектора применили яркие светодиодные лазеры. Вместо множества микрозеркал, управляющих потоками света, они ухитрились установить всего одно, поворачивающееся по двум осям.





... прибор базируется на лазерных диодных излучателях и микромеханической системе развёртки изображения (на основе микроскопического зеркала, быстро поворачивающегося по двум осям).
Однако теперь инженеры встроили в него ещё и систему компенсации вибрации, на основе акселерометров и электроники, которая вмешивается в управление зеркалом, чтобы создавать стабильное изображение даже при солидных "прыжках" проектора.

ZINK - thermal color printer

RU:ZINK предлагает мобильные принтеры без чернил
Специальная фотобумага размером 2 на 3 дюйма покрыта тремя слоями кристаллов, которые под воздействием температуры и давления создают цветное изображение. Разные цвета получаются в результате различного по длительности и интенсивности воздействия на кристаллы.
EN:How ZINK Works
The key to this process is the patented ZINK paper, an advanced composite material with dye crystals embedded inside and a protective polymer overcoat layer outside. Before printing, the embedded dye crystals are colorless, so ZINK paper looks like regular white photo paper. The ZINK printer uses heat to activate and colorize these dye crystals.

T-Mobile, Samsung and T-609 phone

The problem: Samsung SGH-T609 phone from T-Mobile has no permission for accessing network from under the Java virtual machine (JVM). Only non-networked applets are working. GMail applet (as well as Google Mobile Maps applet) terminates with "network permission required" error message.

Research log:
- called T-Mobile 611 and was transfered to Samsung Technical Support (TS)
- Samsung technical support refered me to Level 2 TS
- Level 2 TS asked for IMEI (keypad code *#06#) and explained that JVM implementation on this particular model (as well as the whole line of other non-expensive models from Samsung) does not have network capabilities at all due to limited computing resources like CPU speed and available memory. PDA and smartphones has fully-featured implementation of JVM.

Please see another draft that lists service codes and links to relevant discussions: http://sanzay-ideas.blogspot.com/2006/11/setting-network-access-permissions-on.html

Conclusion: May be it is neither T-Mobile's nor Samsung's crippling of functionality nor it is a "signed code" problem... There is possibility that some phones just have lightweight AKA simplified version of JVM built in.

Setting Network Access Permissions on SGH-T609

The problem: T-Mobile - provided Samsung SGH-T609 cell phone has the problem changing Java MIDlet permissions. All application's permissions are set to "No, never ask" and UI does not respond to any "change value" actions.

Called T-Mobile and they refered me to Samsung. Results of the conversation with live (or just pretending to be alive ;-) technical support representative is on the way ... see them at: http://sanzay-ideas.blogspot.com/2006/11/t-mobile-samsung-and-t-609-phone.html

Following links are the result of the googling internet

The problem description: http://www.howardforums.com/archive/topic/1041198-1.html AKA http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=1041198

Metaphysical discussion regarding "functionality crippling". Long thread, lot of links: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=939410

*#87927# gets you to the browser / proxy / APN setup menu

*#06# gets IMEI number

Samsung SGH-600 Unlock Codes (not tested on SGH-T609)
*#06# : Show IMEI
*#9999# : Show Software Version
*#0837# : Show Software Version (instructions)
*#0001# : Show Serial Parameters
*#9125# : Activates the smiley when charging.
*#9998*228# : Battery status (capacity, voltage, temperature)
*#9998*246# : Program status
*#9998*289# : Change Alarm Buzzer Frequency
*#9998*324# : Debug screens
*#9998*364# : Watchdog
*#9998*377# : EEPROM Error Stack - Use side keys to select values. Cancel and ok.
*#9998*427# : Trace Watchdog
*#9998*523# : Change LCD contrast - Only with version G60RL01W
*#9998*544# : Jig detect
*#9998*636# : Memory status
*#9998*746# : SIM File Size
*#9998*778# : SIM Service Table
*#9998*785# : RTK (Run Time Kernel) errors - if ok then phn is reset, info is put in memory error.
*#9998*786# : Run, Last UP, Last DOWN
*#9998*837# : Software Version
*#9998*842# : Test Vibrator - Flash the screenligth during 10 seconds and vibration activated.
*#9998*862# : Vocoder Reg - Normal, Earphone or carkit can be selected
*#9998*872# : Diag
*#9998*947# : Reset On Fatal Error
*#9998*999# : Last/Chk

*#9998*9266# : Yann debug screen (=Debug Screens?)
*#9998*9999# : Software version

If the up Codes doesn't work, you should change *#9998* to *#0. i.e. *#9998*523# change to *#0523#. An other thing that will help is to remove your SIM card. *0001*s*f*t# : Changes serial parameters (s=?, f=0,1, t=0,1) (incomplete)
*0002*?# : unknown
*0003*?# : unknown

SP-unlock SGH-600 (and also SGH-Sgh-600)
*2767*3855# : Full EEPROM Reset ( THIS CODE REMOVES SP-LOCK!! )
But also changes IMEI to 447967-89-400044-0. (Doing this is illegal)

*2767*2878# : Custom EEEPROM Reset

*These codes have been tested with version FLD_2C6 G60SB03X of Samsung SGH-600
Originally from: http://ringtones.tamilar.org/Samsung-unlocking.asp

Another list of codes: http://cellphoneforums.net/samsung/t182078-samsung-phone-codes.html

http://www.samsunghandphones.com/codes.htm

http://www.gsmhosting.com/vbb/archive/index.php/t-121380-p-5.html

http://www.cellphoneforums.net/samsung/t182078-samsung-phone-codes.html

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=994560

How to preserve Li-Ion battery life-time

Following are the links to usefull tips on how to preserve the life-time of the Li-Ion batteries deployed in most of portable devices:
http://laptopmag.com/Features/Five-Tips-For-Better-Notebook-Battery-Life.htm
http://monkeyfilter.com/link.php/7094

Conclusion: Manage full discharge-charge cycle at least once a month to prevent build up of the permanent chemical bondings in battery's materials.

Flash light + DVR + Sound recorder

Linux-based, flash light-sized logging device: http://www.galaxysys.com

Создан PC на одной плате в габаритах кредитки

http://www.membrana.ru/lenta/index.html?6098



Процессор ? Intel XScale с частотой 520 мегагерц, оперативная память ? 128 мегабайт, постоянная ? 512 мегабайт (встроенная "флэшка"), порты Ethernet и USB, микроскопический графический контроллер, поддерживающий, однако, дисплей XGA и декодирующий MPEG-2/MPEG-4, встроенный "звук" и прочее, и прочее. В общем ? перед нами вполне законченный работоспособный PC, хотя и со скромными параметрами.
Особо израильская компания подчёркивает, что в этот крошечный компьютер встроен модуль радиоинтерфейса WLAN/Wi-Fi. По сообщению фирмы ? это происходит впервые на рынке устройств Computer-on-Module, и пока это ? единственный такой продукт.
Предполагаемые области применения PC размером с кредитку: создание на его основе смартфонов и КПК, портативной медицинской техники, электронных киосков и разнообразного промышленного оборудования, прочих вещей, требующих маленького встроенного Windows-PC.