Use Nokia N810 as Bluetooth keyboard & mouse remote

Posted on by
Reply

My Nokia N810

Need a small bluetooth keyboard & mouse? I almost ordered one from the ebay then it hit me I can use my unused Nokia n810!

My room PC is a tablet TC1100 and it’s used as desktop computer in the room.. mainly for downloads, streaming media and quick net surfing to the 17inch Samsung monitor. The Logitech wirelesss mouse and keyboard is brought over from the desktop tower which I don’t use anymore because of the higher power consummation (as compared to using a laptop/tablet PC).

The wireless keyboard is too big and bulky everytime I pull it up to type just a URL for web surfing. And its too big to put on (or around) my bed.

I have tried some Android apps – Gmote, Desktop Remote to have some control over the machine but they all use Wifi and need installation of an extra software. And there’s no hardware keyboard on my Samsung Galaxy S i9000.

Then I hit upon the idea to use my neglect n810, that has been sitting around without much sunshine or love for almost a year (since I got my blackberry and android phones).

Did a quick google and here’s prove it works!

n810 as keyboard & mouse for PCNokia N810 turned into Bluetooth keyboard & mouse remote – SlashGear.

I turned on my n810, went to the apps directory, did a search for Bluemaemo and it installed without any problems.

Paired up both the n810 (you should follow the procedure in the link below) and my HP tc1100. Within seconds I’m controlling the WindowsXP tablet PC with my n810 via bluetooth!

Though I wish the app would be more refined but it works out of the box as stated.

And Here’s the link to download BlueMaemo if you can’t find it in the app market.

Saved $50 here! :)

Which multi-device (iOS, Android, Blackberry) to write apps with?

Posted on by
Reply

Writing an app for 1 device is crazy enough.. try writing for 3! iOS, Android and Blackberry.. These programs offer a write once export to different platforms possibility. I’m still going thru them to figure which I may use.

Most of them let you write in simple HTML, Javascript, CSS or up to C++ language.

Factors I’m considering;

  1. Cost to use the software,
  2. How much time it takes to learn the software
  3. How ‘native’ the app coding will be
  4. Language it uses
  5. Very importantly, how easily to learn to use the program

Here are the list of programs I’m considering…

  1. Appcelerator – Open Source / Slick / good videos to get started, you pay to learn for more advance systems http://www.appcelerator.com/showcase/videos/
  2. AirPlay – Free to code for iOS / iPhone app on PC, but need to pay US$99 a year, still reasonable.  http://www.airplaysdk.com/features_macsdk.php
  3. WorkLight - http://www.worklight.com/
  4. Phonegap – Open Source / less slick but looks well supported for writing app - http://www.phonegap.com/start

Will share more when I get more into them…

Mac OSX running on my Sony Z128 (Win7 64bit!)

Posted on by
Reply

Short of giving in to temptation and buy the new 11inch MacBook Air (still tempting after I do this hack), I came across some articles of running Mac OSX as virtualization (as a App not boot up native) program. With that my Sony VPCZ128GG will run Mac OSX AND Windows 7 64bit together!

I started with using VirtualBox which is Opensource and works with those that don’t have Intel VT-x support (it’s in the Bios setting).

Here’s the link http://tek411.blogspot.com/2010/06/osx-in-virtual-box-hackintoshed-vm.html

But after further reading, I decided to use VMware since they released the free Player version (non-commercial use only).

There are quite a number of big files to download like the OSX86 file by Hazard. So after all that waiting, I followed the instructions on these videos below and it worked!

There are links to the files at the description section of the videos.

1. Setting Up OSX to run in Windows 7

I waited quite a long time and did a number of restarts before I saw the boot up screen.. so be patient! :)

2. Getting VMware Tools -> Enables screen resolution, sharing of folders and more!
+ Sound enabled and fix Top Gray bar

3. Updating from Mac OS 10.6.2 to 10.6.5

Here’s the step by step instructions:

Preparation:

1. Make sure you have vmware 7  installed on your OS, download required file from above link and place it on your HDD.
2. edit Mac OS X Server 10.6 (experimental).vmx with a text editor
Change :: smc.present = “TRUE” —>> smc.present = “FALSE”
(fix KP caused by fakesmc.kext on Shutdown/Restart)
3. Open VMware and load the vmx file (Mac OS X Server 10.6 (experimental).vmx)
4. Edit your Guest OS configuration mach to your need . (memory, CPU, Network, ect)
5. Set darwin_snow.iso ad you cdrom media
6. Save your Setting.

Installation

1. Run your Snow Leopard Guest OS
2. Quickly type F8 on your keyboard
3. Now you need to change cdrom with Snow Leopard Retail DVD and choose Boot DVD from boot menu
4. Hit F8 and type -v on the boot argument.. wait until installation windows apear..

5. Begin your snow leopard installation, (you may customize your installation) and reboot

Post Installation
1. select darwin_snow.iso as you cdrom and start your Snow Leopard
2. If you lucky you will enter the registration form, if you get KP keep restarting your Guest OS

3. Fill the registration form and you will have a working Snow Leopard on your VMware.
4. You can update your Snow Leopard From Sofware Update or install update manually
5. Install VMware tools (inside the darwin_snow.iso) [you may need to reconect your cdrom]
6. Install sound driver (include in download link above)
7. Finish…

Credit belong to Prasys

Good guidelines for developing a mobile app

Posted on by
Reply

In my search to find the best way to start on my app development, I came across this article. Though it’s written for iPhone app development. It rings thru for any kind of application or program.

Covering these  things

  1. Have an idea – A Good Idea > Yes! without which, why are you even doing this?
  2. Tools Checklist > for  iPhone development so may not be completely relevant
  3. What Are You Really Good At? > So know what you can delegate out for help
  4. Do Your Homework: Market Research > Good key questions that one should answer before going too deep.
  5. Know the iPhone/iPod Touch UI > is to know your canvas you are going to paint on.
  6. Determine "Who will use your app?" > Target audience? If it’s a only you going to use this app, you sure you want to spend this kind of time and effort? Smile with tongue out 
  7. Sketch Out Your Idea > Storyboarding the screens is actually where I started from. I had ideas of how to present/display on screen. Guess with this, I’m leaning more on the designer side.
  8. Time for Design > suggests we start in Photoshop .. to get the icons/look right.
  9. Programming > My weakest link. The last time I programmed anything was using QuickBasic 4.5 back in the early 90s!
  10. Submit your application to the App Store > Would think this is the end game but I reckon just the beginning. Since this is when you open it to the world.
  11. Promote Your App > Marketing/Sales 101…
  12. Stay Focused and Don’t Give Up!

From Jen Gordon -

Read the full article, it’s good – http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/11/how-to-create-your-first-iphone-application/

     

Building my first Mobile (Android) App

Posted on by
Reply

With so many useful applications out there, why would I still want to write my own app?

Because the app I want to build has all the stuff I want to do. It’s a simple bill splitter app I want to build.

You see, I eat out with my colleagues or friends a lot. There are usually 3-9 of us at times. And in Singapore, lots of the restaurants tie up promotions with the credit cards giving us discount on the meals.

So it makes a lot of sense for one of us who has a Citibank / DBS/ UOB card that grants the discount and we pay the person later.

But calculating this amount takes a fair bit of effort, especially after your lunch or dinner when everyone is going off. Plus with the discount, service charge, GST and all, it’s not a 30sec calculation unless you’re just splitting the bill equally.

So begins my search on how to build apps.

My Samsung Galaxy S i9000

Posted on by
Reply

It’s been a while since I updated my tech blog. Like all hobbyist blogs, it gets neglected from time to time.

I’m been swarmed with work and the new tech stuff I got over the last months. I did lose my Blackberry 9800 only after 2 months of usage.

It was taken over by the Samsung Galaxy S i9000 which I won thru a bidding site. I tried to get the HTC Desire but failed. Instead I got the Galaxy S for just SGD$330 total including the bids. The original retail price is SGD$880.

I have always been interested in the Android platform. Something close to the Apple iOS system but different with the open system. I love Apple’s designs and ideas but feature wise, Android phones do offer more.

Original with Android 2.1 OS, I have taken the plunge and  upgraded it to 2.2 through help and the talented folks from xda forums.

So I’m running Android 2.2 custom ROM, with rooted, Superuser and lagfix.

NEW digital photography site – photos.mylivingtech.com

Posted on by
Reply

I have always have a strong interest in photography, and the digital age has made things a lot easier and cost effective.

So here’s a site dedicated solely to my digital photography journey thru my Canon digital Ixus, Powershots to now Samsung NX10 cameras.

Jump over here.

http://photos.mylivingtech.com

Top 20 Free Apps for BlackBerrys

Posted on by
Reply

Got yourself a new Blackberry? Doesn’t matter you have the Blackberry Bold, Storm or Curve, they all need apps (short for applications).

So PCMag has kindly compiled a list of Top 20 Apps for our smart phone… not just any Top 20, the Top 20 Free apps!

My favourites are World Mate, UberTwitter, Facebook, Gmail, Google Maps and Opera Mini.

I’m going to try out Bolt which they say it’s the best browser on the Blackberry platform.

 

Click here for the list.

 

Tags: , ,