Since we’ve began offering Ubuntu on some consumer systems, two clear areas of feedback from the IdeaStorm community and Direct2Dell readers have been: offer Ubuntu on more hardware, and offer it worldwide.This Ubuntu-related post is still the third most commented post in Direct2Dell’s history-many of the 654 comments are asking for it in more countries.

Looking through XPS M1330 technical information (Intel Core Duo up to 2.20GHz, up to 4Gb RAM, 128 MB Video, 200GB HDD, etc.) and price starting from £599, I would like to say that this Dell’s product definitely has future. And it’s too bad I don’t live in Spain, UK…

Get more information on the laptop here, the next step would be to customize and buy one while notebooks are hot!

• Processor — Freescale i.MX31 SoC with ARM11 core clocked at 532MHz
• Memory — 128MB; 5-in-1 memory card reader supporting up to 16GB SD
• Display — 8-inch, 800×600 SVGA
• Images — JPEG, GIF, PNG, WMF
• Audio — MP3, WMA
• Video — H.264 AVI, MJPEG, MPEG-4 (and via networked STB, MPEG 1 and MPEG-2)
• I/O — WiFi, USB
• Features — slideshow, clock, calendar, alarm, and remote control
• Frame — tripod base with three interchangeable veneers: brushed aluminium, black plastic, and wood effect

As for me, I was impressed and little bit confused: I have internet gateway/proxy with lesser hardware running in our office! That server can’t do animation-enhanced slideshow, doesn’t have calendar, alarm functions and can’t play video or audio. But above-mentioned digital photoframe can do it easily, as well as it can play video from STB (set-top box) and transfer data via Wi-Fi. Nice device among those that aren’t worse buying however potentially are perfect gifts!

The toy is to be shipped by AgfaPhoto and developed by Sagem Communications. Hardware part is based on Freescale Semiconductor’s i.MX31 system-on-chip (SoC). There is no official information on pricing and/or availability, but if you’re interested just wait until it appear at AgfaPhoto’s photoframes page.

Seller announces the following product specifications (see detailed specs here):

• Processor: 200MHz x86 CPU, Memory: 128MB SDRAM, Storage: 2GB (included Compact Flash card), Power Supply (US, UK, or EU).
• 3 x USB 2.0 ports (480Mbps transfer rate), 1 x 10/100 Ethernet port, VGA port to connect LCD display (supports resolutions up to 1280×1024)
• Power consumption of 8W with CPU and SDRAM running at full speed. With external devices (USB 2.0 CD Rewriter, USB-powered hard drive) power consumption rises to 11W.
• Dimensions: 11.5cm (Width) x 11.5cm (Lenght) x 3.5cm (Height)
• Puppy Linux Operating System (version 2.14) – similar in appearance to MS Windows, stable, and pre-installed.
• Excel-compatible spreadsheet software (Gnumeric), Word-compatible word processor (Abiword)

Looking at these specs and using Google it was discovered that Aleutia sells Norhtec’s device The MicroClient Jr! Do you see the difference at the pictures below? Maybe hand?

By the way, Norhtec’s one is of 120$… From Norhtec’s site:

The MicroClient Jr. is a revolutionary device that is especially designed for installations having limited physical space and temperature concerns. It does not matter if you are in a jammed office, a crowded place, or public transportation – it can be easily integrated with a VESA LCD to bring you computer access at any time.

It can attach to any VESA mounting fixture, allowing it to be securely mounted onto desks, room walls, or buildings, and thereby optimizing your work area. It can also attach directly to LCDs of any size to create a mobile system for the use at trade shows, presentations, promotions, etc. Unlike the traditional laptop design, the MicroClient Jr. can be used with a large size LCD. Furthermore, with FANLESS design, MicroClient Jr. is ideal for use in hot climates without air conditioning.

Get more details on The MicroClient Jr. here… Sweeeet!

This is a howto (provided by Nailor) shows how to sync Nokia E-series phone (Symbian 9.1, Series60 3rd edition) with Gnome Evolution in Ubuntu Edgy Eft (6.10) and Feisty Fawn (7.04). This has been tested with Nokia E50. Information on how to sync Nokia E65 is available here. Kubuntu users may be interested in this.

1. Add required repositories:

Add following repositories to /etc/apt/sources.list:
deb http://opensync.gforge.punktart.de/repo/opensync-0.21/ feisty main
deb-src http://opensync.gforge.punktart.de/repo/opensync-0.21/ feisty main

To add key for the repo, do the following:
gpg –keyserver hkp://subkeys.pgp.net/ –recv-keys CB210090B029CB84
gpg –export CB210090B029CB84 | sudo apt-key add -

2. Install required software

sudo aptitude install libopensync-plugin-* libopensync0 opensyncutils msynctool mulstisync-qad bluez-passkey-gnome bluez-gnome

3. Configure msynctool
You can configure opensync via a graphical interface using multisync-qad (using similiar settings as below) or you can use command line. Guide below is for command line. Note, that the command line is reported not to work flawlessly on Feisty. You’ll bet better results with GUI

Add a new group of preferred name (I’ll be using nokia in this example):
msynctool –addgroup nokia

Add plugins to group. If you get errors in this face, they are propably due to missing plugins so check you’ve installed all required plugins.

msynctool –addmember nokia evo2-sync
msynctool –addmember nokia syncml-obex-client

Next is the ‘trickiest’ part. Installed plugins need to be configured. First, you have to find your phone’s MAC. Use hcitool to do that:
hcitool scan

It should return something like:
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx PhoneName

Now, configure the syncml-obex-client:
msynctool –configure nokia 2

Replace the context of the configuration (should be open in separate editor after running previous command) with the following XML:
<config>
<bluetooth_address>xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx</bluetooth_address>
<bluetooth_channel>10</bluetooth_channel>
<interface>0</interface>
<identifier>PC Suite</identifier>
<version>1</version>
<wbxml>1</wbxml>
<username></username>
<password></password>
<type>2</type>
<usestringtable>1</usestringtable>
<onlyreplace>0</onlyreplace>
<recvLimit>0</recvLimit>
<maxObjSize>0</maxObjSize>
<contact_db>Contacts</contact_db>
<calendar_db></calendar_db>
<note_db></note_db>
</config>

Where bluetooth_address is your phone’s MAC address you just discovered.

After configuring the syncml-obex-client it’s time to configure evo2-sync. Open configuration file with command:
msynctool –configure nokia 1

And modify it to look like:
<?xml version=”1.0″?>
<config>
<address_path>file:///home/USERNAME/.evolution/addressbook/local/system</address_path>
</config>

Replace USERNAME with your username.

Edgy note: With the latest update from jahn repositories, this works with defaults. You can configure Calendar as calendar_db to syncml-obex-client setup to make calendar syncing work

4. Sync!
You should be good to go now, so you should try synchronizing:
msynctool –sync nokia

1. Add repositories to /etc/apt/sources.list (each source in one line):
   deb http://www.in.fh-merseburg.de/~jahn/ dapper main
   deb-src http://www.in.fh-merseburg.de/~jahn/ dapper main
2. Add repository gpg key to apt-get:
   gpg –keyserver hkp://subkeys.pgp.net/ –recv-keys CB210090B029CB84
   gpg –export CB210090B029CB84 | sudo apt-key add -
3. sudo apt-get update
4. apt-get install libopensync-plugin-kdepim libopensync-plugin-file libopensync-plugin-google-calendar libopensync-plugin-synce libopensync-plugin-syncml libopensync0 opensyncutils msynctool multisync-qad
5. Plug in Bluetooth/Usb adapter.
6. sudo hcitool dev… this should show the computer’s bluetooth mac #
7. sudo hcitool scan… should show the E62 bluetooth mac #
8. you can use “sdptool browse“ to get detailed info on phone and what channels it uses. For syncing you want the channel for “Nokia SyncML Server”
9. sudo kate /etc/bluetooth/hcid.conf
10. remove the “#” from in front of auth enable;
11. sudo mknod /dev/rfcomm0 c 216 0
12. sudo kate /etc/bluetooth/rfcomm.conf
13. Type:
    add rfcomm0 {
    device 00:18:C5:43:19:2B; (# from #7 above)
    channel 14;
    comment “NokiaE62″;
    }
14. sudo sdptool add –channel=10 OPUSH (this is to allow file transfer).
    You want the channel that is “SyncMLClient”.
15. sudo kate /etc/bluetooth/hcid.conf
    change passkey from 1234 to whatever number you want.
16. just in case, I also did sudo kate /etc/bluetooth/pin
    and changed the default 1234 to my new passkey
17. sudo /etc/init.d/bluez-utils restart (for dapper) or /etc/init.d/bluetooth restart (edgy)
18. Enable bluetooth on E62.
19. Menu->Settings->Bluetooth->Bluetooth On
20. Menu->Settings->Bluetooth->My phone’s visibility Shown to all
21. Menu->Settings->Bluetooth->My phone’s name NokiaE62
22. Menu->Settings->Bluetooth->RemoteSChip mode On or Off, didn’t matter
23. Pair NokiaE62 with computer
24. Menu->Settings->Bluetooth-> push joystick to the right to change to paired device menu
25. Select Options
26. Select New paired device
27. Found MyComputer-0
28. Select
29. Enter passkey that is the same as item as passkey above
30. Select yes to automatically authorize
31. Push in joystick
32. Select Assign short name
33. Give a name to this computer
34. Exit
35. Try to send a file from KDE
36. Kmenu->Internet, Bluetooth OBEX, drag and drop, send
37. As user (not root!)
38. msynctool –addgroup nokia (or whatever name you want)
39. msynctool –addmember nokia kdepim-sync
40. msynctool –addmember nokia syncml-obex-client
41. hcitool scan
42. msynctool –configure nokia 2
    here is my nokia file
    <?xml version=”1.0″?>
    <config>
    <!– (Only for blue) The bluetooth address if the bluetooth mode is selected –>
    <bluetooth_address>00:18:C5:43:19:2B</bluetooth_ad dress>
    <!– (Only for blue) The bluetooth channel to use (usualy the 11) [x] –>
    <bluetooth_channel>14</bluetooth_channel>
    <!– (Only for USB) The usb interface number of the SYNCML-SYNC target. use syncml-obex-client -u (as root!) to find it. –>
    <interface>0</interface>
    <!– The string that the plugin will use to identify itself. Some devices need a special string here. –>
    <identifier>KDE</identifier>
    <!– The syncml version to use: 0 for 1.0, 1 for 1.1 and 2 for 1.2 –>
    <version>1</version>
    <!– if the plugin should use wbxml –>
    <wbxml>1</wbxml>
    <!– The username to use. Leave empty to not require a username –>
    <username></username>
    <!– the password for the username –>
    <password></password>
    <!– sets the connection type to use. 5 means obex over usb, 2 means obex over bluetooth –>
    <type>2</type>
    <!– If wbxml is enabled, defines wether the wbxml should use string tables –>
    <usestringtable>1</usestringtable>
    <!– Never send ADD command, but send REPLACE (not needed normally) –>
    <onlyreplace>0</onlyreplace>
    <!– Workaround around for mobile phones which only use local timestamps and _no_ UTC timestamps! –>
    <onlyLocaltime>0</onlyLocaltime>
    <!– Sets the maximum allowed size in bytes of incoming messages (some device need this option set). Example: 10000 –>
    <recvLimit>0</recvLimit>
    <maxObjSize>0</maxObjSize>
    <!– The name of the contacts db. Must be the same as the phones sends –>
    <contact_db>Contacts</contact_db>
    <!– The name of the calendar db. Must be the same as the phones sends –>
    <calendar_db>Calendar</calendar_db>
    <!– The name of the note db. Must be the same as the phones sends –>
    <note_db>Notes</note_db>
    </config>
43. Should be good to go at this point to sync, from terminal: mysynctool –sync nokia
44. Once this is working, you can use Kmenu->Utilities->Multisync-gui to sync.

You can get more information at UbuntuForums.org.

TY:

KDE and all it’s supporting programs have been compiled for the Internet Tablet, and it works b-e-a-utifully. I’ve installed this sucker on my N770 and it purrs like a kitten, believe it or not

Read more…

Ever since I’ve received my new phone, bluetooth has excited me. To be honest, the notion of being able to control my pc from the phone was the exciting aspect. Ever wondered how to do this? Let me elaborate…

Read more…

First of all register new account at ZYB or login to existing one at www.zyb.com. After first successful login you’ll be suggested to register your mobile phone model with the online system. Just choose your model in a wide phone models list. In my case I choose Motorola Razr V3.

In order to upload your phone contacts to your contacts and calendar/datebok data to ZYB perform the following operations with your Motorola Razr v3:

When sync is done you’ll see your contacts at your personal ZYB page. It’s very comfortable to edit them online and then sync with your Razr V3 by performing 13 step of above operations list.

ZYB provides a feature that allows to sync data between many mobile phones you own. Many phone models are supported, so it would be useful to check if it is supported by ZYB before buying it

You may also be interested in:
EV-DO Internet access with Ubuntu Linux
Download and convert YouTube video online and offline
Inimitable wallpapers, icons and themes for Linux

Make sure your device is activated by service provider and if possible test on other OS to which you may have software and drivers.

Open terminal window and type:

sudo -i

and enter your password.
Now all commands typed in this window will be executed with root privileges.
In terminal type:

apt-get update
apt-get upgradeapt-get install wvdial

Before you insert the Card or connect USB cable open terminal window and type:

cat /proc/bus/usb/devices > devices

Insert your data card or plug in USB cable and wait for a few seconds before continuing.
In terminal type:

dmesg

You will get output with some device info like this :

[17186692.460000] usb 3-1: configuration #1 chosen from 2 choices[17186692.460000] cdc_acm 3-1:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device[17186708.176000] usb 3-1: USB disconnect, address 4
[17186714.588000] usb 3-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address

At the end of this output you will find your device witch will be represented like this: ttyACM0 or ttyUSB or similar , make note of it you will need it later.
Now type in terminal:

cat /proc/bus/usb/devices | grep Vendor

Output will be similar to:

< P: Vendor=1234 ProdID=5678 Rev= 0.00

Make note of lines: Vendor=1234 , ProdID=5678

Now in teminal type following code Replacing values 1234 and 5678 with your own output from previously noted lines ::

modprobe usbserial vendor=0x1234 product=0x5678

Now you will edit wvdial config file by first typing in terminal :

sudo gedit /etc/wvdial.conf

In new opened window replace all text with following :

[Dialer Defaults]
Stupid Mode = on
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
Baud = 921600
Init = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Phone = #777
Username = ??????????@vzw3g.com

Password = vzw
Init1 = ATZISDN = 0
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Auto Reconnect = on
Carrier Check = no
[Dialer shh]
Init3 = ATM0
[Dialer pulse]
Dial Command = ATDP

In the line “Modem =” replace ttyACM0 with value you noted from output of dmesg command.
In the line ” Username = ” put your phone number followed by your providers domain, for Verizon it is area code, your phone number and domain, in this format: 9178889999@vzw3g.com for Sprint it will be 9178889999@sprintpcs.com, for AT&T / Cingular WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM, for Alltel 9178889999@alltel.net and so on, further post have config’s posted for other providers.
In line ” password = ” in case of Verizon put: “vzw” for Cingular: “cingular1″ and so on, make sure to check with your provider as username and/or password may differ for other regions and countries.

If you are Cingular/AT&T subscriber and after completing whole guide you have problem with dropping connection you have to add another int line in wvdial script which is posted here http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=343989&page=3
If you need any specific info regarding your domain or password please contact your cellular provider.
The last thing you need to configure is wvdial line checking, by disabling LCP echo checking witch is not supported by most of providers.
Open terminal and type:

sudo gedit /etc/ppp/peers/wvdial

And insert aditionally those lines:

lcp-echo-failure 0
lcp-echo-interval 0

Make sure your ethernet jack is unplugged and wifi radio switch is turned off.
Now you can start connection by typing in terminal :

wvdial

Another thing i have been suggested is automating the connection process.
To do so in Gnome go to :

System > Preferences > Sessions next, click on the tab labeled, “Startup Programs” then click the “Add” button.
In the Startup Command field, enter “wvdial” and then click “OK”.Then restart your system.

Now make sure your EV-DO card is inserted before you boot it up, it will initiate the connection process automatically in the background connecting you to internet the second you log in.

The manual is kindly provided by Mach1US.

“Google’s first mobile phone will run a Linux operating system on a Texas Instruments “Edge” chipset, and will likely ship to T-Mobile and Orange customers in the Spring of 2008, according to unconfirmed reports. “GPhone” call minutes and text messages reportedly will be funded by mobile advertising…

News of the so-called “GPhone” or “G-Phone” broke quietly about two weeks ago in the island nation of Singapore, where Jennifer Tan of Reuters subsidiary Anian Research filed a report on July 12.

Tan cited “industry sources,” “U.S. sources,” and “manufacturing and component supply chain sources” in backing her assertion that after year-long delays finding a manufacturer, Google contracted Taiwan-based smartphone maker High Tech Computer (HTC) to design its phone hardware. HTC is best-known for its Windows Mobile smartphones, however, and Tan offered no conjecture about who might supply the phone’s Linux-based operating system.

Additional details reported by Tan include:

* The G-Phone will have a large color screen with a predictive Qwerty keypad to simplify Google searching
* A follow-up 3G-capable model (Edge is considered “2.75G”) will use a Qualcomm chipset
* Scheduled for production in Q1 of 2006, the Google phone will hit retail shelves next spring
* Call minutes and text messages are to be funded by “mobile advertising”
* Google originally hoped to launch a phone this year, but was delayed by “difficulties in nailing down a deal with a handset maker”
* T-Mobile will carrier the phone in the U.S., along with (possibly) Orange in other markets

Tan quotes Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Marianne Wolk as having said, “A mobile offering would be consistent with Google’s goal to make search accessible. We believe Google would design a solution to facilitate greater use of Google Search and other applications like Google Talk, Gmail, Google Maps, encourage wireless video, and leverage this usage to hasten the market for mobile advertising.”

Google itself has declined to comment on rumors it plans to produce a phone, Tan reported.”