Video Review: nanoGroove GrooveShark client

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 26, 2010 by Malatesta
 

GrooveShark, the streaming music on-demand site, is still going strong and while we've had a Windows phone client in the past (see our video review of GrooveFish), it was lacking some finesse and advanced features.

Enter nanoGroove, a full-fledged (though not officially endorsed) GrooveShark client that adds some nice bells and whistles. Although it costs a one-time license of $4.99, we think it's a fair price for a nicely polished application such as this.

Here are some of the features which it's free GrooveFish cousin is lacking

  • Supports multiple resolutions (including 320x320)
  • GrooveShark Playlist support
  • Album art
  • Power button disables screen (keeps music playing, saves battery)
  • Better graphics

We've had no problem running it on our Touch Pro 2 or Treo Pro and of course you can't beat the sound quality of GrooveShark (it kills Pandora in that regard).

If we had any complaints it would be that the UI has a few extra steps than is probably needed (like having to refresh to pull down your playlists) and it is a little confusing to get songs to actually just play (first you search, then you add to the player, then you switch to player, then you  hit play). 

But overall we're very happy with it and have no problem surrendering $5 for it. If you want the time-limited demo, just scan the MS Tag or go to the NanoGroove site.

Check out our video review after the jump to see how it all works!

 

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Review: Manbolo Meon

Posted on Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 by Tim Ferrill
 

Meon - Level 92

A major factor that game developers must consider when working with a platform such as Windows Phones is the interface. The fact that Windows phones come in all shapes and sizes is one of the strengths of the platform, but in this case it can be a challenge. Developers must take into account things like the fact that the device hardware may not include hardware buttons and the screen resolution could be any of a number of configurations. One solution to this problem is to use the old K.I.S.S. design rule; Keep It Simple Stupid. One game that practices this rule to perfection is Meon from Manbolo.

One of the first Games to appear on Microsoft’s Windows Marketplace for Mobile, Meon is a puzzle based game that requires you to use strategy in order to direct light into different areas of the puzzle. A Lite version featuring about 30 levels is available for free, with the full version setting you back $2.99.

This game is highly addicting. If that sounds good to you, click on through. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

 

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Review: Samsung WEP870

Posted on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 by Tim Ferrill
 

Samsung WEP870 - Profile View

With all of the choices that technology gives us, sometimes the differences between one device and another get blurred. This statement is especially true with the proliferation of Bluetooth headsets. Most headsets follow a similar shape and offer similar features, so it can be difficult to discern the pros and cons of a particular product.

The flip side of this argument is that when a manufacturer releases a headset that breaks the mold and brings a new form factor and/or groundbreaking features, it comes as a breath of fresh air to those of us who follow the market closely. I would like to welcome to the world: Samsung’s WEP870. What is it about this headset that sets it apart from a world full of pretenders and lookalikes? Hit the jump to find out.

 

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Review: Verizon HTC Ozone

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 15, 2009 by Malatesta
 

The Verizon HTC Ozone (Cedar) is the answer to the aging Motorola Q9 series and fits in nicely with Verizon's revamped and full-featured Windows Mobile lineup.  The phone is a sister device to the HTC Snap but differs from that model in significant and beneficial ways.

I've had the chance to use the device extensively ever since the quick hands-on report weeks ago.  In short, Verizon customers are very lucky to have such a great WM Standard device. Packing WiFi, EvDO Rev A and a GSM radio with a cozy keyboard, the HTC Ozone sets the bar for non-touchscreen devices and breathes new life into this series.

Read on for the full run down!

 

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Review: Palringo Instant Messaging

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 9, 2009 by Malatesta
 

In our continuing series of reviews for Instant Messaging apps for Windows Mobile (see IM+ last week), we next take a look at Palringo, which has quickly become the darling of many WinMo users.

How does it stack up to IM+?  What features stand out and which need some work? 

Take a look after the jump for our review!

 

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Review: MOBO Wallet Organizer Case

Posted on Thursday, Sep 3, 2009 by Tim Ferrill
 
Filed Under: Cases; Tags: Case, MOBO, Organizer, review, Wallet

MOBO Wallet Organizer Case - Front View

When it comes to cases for your cell phone, there is no one form factor that is perfect for everyone. The perfect case for you depends entirely on your needs. This concept makes it imperative for manufacturers to make a variety of shapes, sizes and designs in order to accommodate the variety of people that buy their products.

Cases that double as a wallet have come and go over the years and no one manufacturer can seem to get a design that really takes off. The idea that you can have your wallet and cell phone in one compact package is particularly appealing to those of us who walk around with what could easily be mistaken for Batman’s utility belt.  Mobo makes this attempt with their Wallet Organizer Case.

All the facts (and my opinions) are after the jump.

 

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Review: Jabra BT2080

Posted on Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 by Tim Ferrill
 

Jabra BT2080 - Front View

The Bluetooth headset market is at the point where it gets very hard to determine what headset fits your needs perfectly. Price, build quality, fit/comfort and sound quality all come into play when shopping for your headset.

A quick search of this site will reveal numerous reviews of Jabra headsets, all with different advantages. But let's not forget the entry-level headset. Inexpensive products with quality features can be hard to come by in a space dominated by expensive devices loaded with features that many people would never use. Jabra’s BT2080 falls in this niche, offering a headset for $39.95.

To see what features are offered in this little headset, follow the link.

 

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Review: Body Glove Rhythm Horizontal Pouch

Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 by Tim Ferrill
 
Filed Under: Cases, Featured; Tags: body glove, Case, Horizontal, pouch, review

Body Glove Rhythm - Front View

Body Glove has been one of the major names in water sports for a very long time; they were one of the original manufacturers of wetsuits for people who wanted to enjoy surfing and diving year-round. Their transition in recent years into technology accessories has been relatively flawless, incorporating their essence (style and protective functionality) into their cases. I have owned Body Glove cases for several of my phones (and loved them), so when I got the opportunity to review the Body Glove Rhythm horizontal pouch, I jumped at the chance.

Click through for the full evaluation.

 

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Review: Tipper

Posted on Thursday, Jul 23, 2009 by Tim Ferrill
 

Tipper - Main Screen

We’ve all had the experience. You’re out to dinner with friends and splitting the check has become an exercise in futility. Sure you could do the math, either in your head or by using the built in calculator on that cool Windows Mobile device you carry in your pocket; but both of those require thinking, which can be a lot to ask for.

Tipper for Windows Mobile Pocket PC (their name for it, one of these days the developers are going to catch up to the new naming scheme for Windows Mobile), solves this problem. Tipper is designed to assist in calculating tips and split checks between multiple people.

There are some twists to this application, which are detailed for you after the break.

 

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Review: SPB News 2.0

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 by Tim Ferrill
 

SPB News 2.0 - Main Screen

One of the major benefits of having a mobile device is the ability to stay connected and have instant communication in many different forms. One problem that can come up with the relatively small devices that we carry is actually getting access to the vast amount of information that is available on the Internet. Every once in a while, evolutions in separate technologies sync up and complement each other extremely well. Such is the case with mobile devices and syndication.

For the uninitiated, syndication in the form of Atom or RSS feeds (you can find ours here) offers a simple method of gathering articles or news items from various places around the internet and centralizing them in a feed reader. We’ve featured a number of feed readers on WMExperts including Newsbreak, Viigo, FeedMe, and even Google Reader within Kinoma Play.

SPB software sets the standard when it comes to Windows Mobile software. SPB is updating their Insight RSS aggregator and giving us SPB News 2.0 for $19.95. A free upgrade will be available for owners of Insight.

The full review is after the break.

 

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