3G + N95 + JoikuSpot + WiFi + iPhone = 3G iPhone (the hard way)

In the unlikeliest of unions since Julia and Lyle, we bring you some hot iPhone on N95 symbiotic action. Using the free JoikuSpot application released this morning, you can now turn any S60 smartphone into a WiFi hotspot. Yes, just like WMWifiRouter does for WinMo devices. Sure, the solution doesn’t make much sense from locations with tethered Internet and you can’t encrypt the http and https (only) traffic. But if you’ve ever been in a WiFi dead spot and needed to share access (think PSP gaming), this type of solution is pretty unbeatable. Assuming you have an unlimited data plan that is. Click the read link for the video.

Turn your S60 device into a WiFi hotspot!

In the secret Into Mobile staff chat room, where we hatch our world domination strategy, we’ve been wondering how in the world we’re going to get internet access in our apartment during Mobile World Congress. Will and my boss Tom have Windows Mobile devices that they can turn into WiFi routers, we covered that application here, but what about us S60 folk?

Dusan sent me a link to this Nseries blog, which then linked me to this article on Cellular News, which in turn caused a Google search and brought me to this most awesome development house in Finland called Joikusoft.

They’ve created an application called JoikuSpot which turns your S60 smartphone into a WiFi access point, using your 3G connection of course. I’m in the process of testing it right now and will report back in this blog post, definitely excited by this.

Update:

Here is the application running:

Negative things right off the bat: I can’t create an encrypted network.

Here is my laptop finding the network:

I had to crop the signal, but it is full strength!

According to the manual (PDF) this application only supports http and https protocols. Outlook and Skype may not work, haven’t tested bit torrent since I’m not on unlimited here, but basic internet surfing worked find. I went to a few sites and they popped up instantaneously.

Think of the uses for this. Wireless gaming with your PSP or DS. Browse the internet and check email on your large screen iPod touch.

Update: Buddy of mine Dan Lane used this application to give his iPhone 3G speeds, check out his video on Seesmic.

Posted by Stefan – INTOMOBILE.COM

Video: Ford offers 2009 F-150 with in-dash computer, printer, EVDO, GPS, and RFID tool tracking

Our dirtier, hairier sisters over at autoblog had the chance to get up close and personal with Ford’s 2009 F-150 at the Chicago Auto Show. Notable to gadget ruffians, and those of you posing as such on the suburban trek to the ice cream social, is Ford’s new “Work Solutions” option. It features a Microsoft Sync-powered in-dash computer (with wireless keyboard, Bluetooth printer, 6.5-inch touch-screen) from Magneti Marelli with built-in Sprint Mobile Broadband and Garmin GPS. It also features an RFID-equipped Tool Link system built in partnership with DEWALT and ThingMagic for a real-time inventory of your RFID tagged tools. The FWS option will be available on all 2009 F-150 XL, STX, XLT and FX4 trucks; F-Series Super Duty XL, XLT and FX4 trucks; and all 2009 E-Series vans. Couple FWS with Sony’s 700 watt, 5.1channel, 10-speaker system and Sirius Travel Link options already announced for the F-150 and we might have to take the Engadget Mansion mobile. Video after the break.

[Thanks, K Banton]

VIC Ltd rolls out NaviSurfer II in-car PC

It’s not quite as sleek as some in-car PCs, but VIC Ltd’s new NaviSurfer II looks like it’ll at least get the job done with minimal hassle, and at a relatively reasonable price to boot. Despite appearances above, however, this one is a bring-your-own-OS deal (supporting Windows or Linux), and you’ll need provide own USB or Bluetooth add-ons if you want to make good on the company’s claims that it’ll double as GPS unit. But still, for between $578 and $656, you’ll get a flip-out 7-inch touchscreen, along with a 1.0GHz or 1.3GHz processor of an unspecified sort, 256MB or 512MB of RAM, and a 40GB, 80GB, or 120GB hard drive. Not exactly enough for some Crysis tailgate parties to be sure, but likely more than enough to handle your basic computing and media playback needs.

[Via Technabob]
by Donald Melanson – Engadget

navisurfer II: a complete pc in your car’s dashboard

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen a computer designed to fit inside your car, but it’s definitely the first one I’ve seen which can fit entirely in the space of your old car stereo.

The Navisurfer II occupies a single DIN slot in your car’s dashboard, and manages to cram in an entire PC with a flip-out touchscreen 7-inch color display. The LCD monitor has a nice 800 x 480 resolution, and can be adjusted on both horizontal and vertical axes. Since it fits neatly into a standard radio slot, all you need to do is connect the computer just like you would with a car stereo, and you’re all set.

The system can run Windows XP or Linux (no OS is pre-installed, though) and can serve as a media player, GPS navigator, rear view camera, gaming console, or used to display vehicle diagnostic information, among other things. To enable these features, you’ll need to purchase additional USB or Bluetooth devices such as a GPS receiver or a video camera (only supported on the 120GB model).

It’s all packaged in a shock-resistant enclosure, and is designed to hold up to the voltage irregularities of cranking your car’s battery. The Navisurfer II is available in configurations ranging from 40GB to 120GB of hard-disk based storage, and from 256MB to 512MB RAM. Prices range from $578 to $656 USD.

from Technabob.com

D-Link debuts DSM-210 10-inch WiFi photo frame

We love us a decent WiFi photo frame, and D-Link seems to have a keeper with this here DSM-210 10-incher. The frame can pull photos from RSS feeds, USB drives, flash cards and a special Yahoo Widget that lets you drop an image from you desktop and have it appear automagically on the DSM-210. You can also sync with calendar programs, and various online news and other info via RSS. There’s an Ethernet plug in the back if WiFi isn’t your style, and the frame also has a rechargeable battery if you’re looking to do things completely wire free. The DSM-210 will be out Q1 2008 for $250.

by Paul Miller – Engadget

WUSB streaming HD video

The Wireless USB packing Toshiba Portege R400 makes an encore performance at CES 2008 in hopes of putting your bandwidth fears to rest. Pushing data at 377Mbps (of a theoretical 480Mbps at 3-meters), you’re looking at 1,920 x 1,080 pixel video sourced from the R400 and displayed on a prototype WUSB monitor sitting a few inches away. Not bad, eh?

by Thomas Ricker – Engadget

Sony announces VAIO Premium HTPCs

Sony is rolling out their new VAIO HTPC in two flavors — standard (VGX-TP20E, in polar white) and premium (VGX-TP25E, in piano black). The specs on these is pretty similar: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processors, 802.11b/g, 500GB storage, HDMI, Blu-ray drive and Vista Home Premium, all wrapped up in the same cylindrical form factor. For the couch surfers, Sony’s tossing in a wireless keyboard with integrated touch pad in with these for couch surfers. Rollout of multimedia functionality continue across the notebook and desktop VAIO lines as well. The addition of two external CableCARD tuners differentiates the premium from the standard models. Pricing comes in at $1600 and $3000 for the two, respectively — seems like a steep premium for those two CableCARD tuners!

by Steven Kim – Engadget