Evernote - one app for all your notes?

A couple of weeks ago, I installed EverNote on my HTC Touch Diamond, and just couldn't get enough of it!
Evernote would take my handwritten or typed notes - sync them online - and make them available to me on my desktop too.
I could see that I'd not forget anything now! And best of all, their handwriting options - with colours and caligraphic pens had me spellbound.

Next thing - my HTC Touch Diamond screen cracks, and my friends convince me, its time for an iphone.

Well - the first app I installed was EverNote. But much to my disappointment, Evernote for the iphone does not allow handwriting or drawing. Although you can see your previously drawn/written notes.

Evernote guys - if you're listening, can you please give the same features on an iphone - which are present on windows mobile? You really do have a great app.
And while you're at it - please also include:
- auto scroll when you finish writing on a page
- please allow us to edit our notes on phones- really, you are cutting out a lot of functionality by forcing us to pay for this. I don't mind paying for more space - which I will eventually need; but forcing me to pay for a disabled feature is upsetting!

Twitter for Windows Mobile?

Want to use Twitter for Windows Mobile? PockeTwit wins hands down for a robust, full-featured Twitter application for Windows Mobile - with a great customizable interface, and gesture support.

Best of all - it's free!

Get it here

HTC Touch Diamond Sync Issue with Vista

When I upgraded my HTC Touch Diamond ROM (available here), I had trouble sync-ing with Windows Vista. I first managed to overcome it, but on reinstalling vista (for some other reasons), I faced the same issues again.

Here's a step-by-step guide to getting your HTC Touch Diamond to sync with Vista.

1. With your HTC Touch Diamond connected to your computer, go to Control Panel > Switch to Classic View > Device Manager



2. Right click PocketPC USB Sync and select 'Uninstall'

3. Once this is uninstalled, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features


4. You should see Windows Mobile Device Center. Uninstall it.



5. Now unplug you HTC Touch Diamond, and plug it back in. Everything should get reinstalled properly, and you should be good.
This is the screen you should see:



Go ahead and Set up your device.

Hope this helps!

Mysql 5.1 downgrade to Mysql 5.0 on Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex

Hi couldn't understand why apt-get would always give the following error when trying to downgrade mysql on ubuntu:

Unpacking mysql-server-5.0 (from .../mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.4_amd64.deb) ...
Aborting downgrade from (at least) 5.1 to 5.0.
dpkg: error processing /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.4_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 subprocess pre-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/mysql-server-5.0_5.0.51a-3ubuntu5.4_amd64.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

Finally figured it out. For downgrading, you must delete /var/lib/mysql directory.

After deleting that directory, I ran the following command, and had mysql setup and ready to go:

sudo apt-get -f install

Home Theater setup - HDMI

I have a Sony STR-K7100 HDMI Pass Through system. When I got a laptop with integrated HDMI, I was confident I could get a digitally tuned home theater setup. What I wanted to do, ofcourse, was play netflix movies on my computer, and route them to my projector through the Sony receiver.
This way, I will be able to get digital quality sound through my receiver, and digital quality picture on my projector!

Unfortunately, HDMI pass through means your receiver does NOT read the data passing through it, and only switches two HDMI input ports to one HDMI output port. Quite a waste I think.
So bottomline, I am using a 3.5mm jack to listen to music right now.

Blue Proton Micro Card Reader Review

I accidentally bought a micro MemoryStick card for my Sony DSC-H3. While there was a mini card adapter for the micro, which let it fit fine in the camera, but Laptop SD Card readers declined to accept the adapter.

Looking for the best way a laptop can read a micro card, I found the 'Blue Proton' Micro Card Reader at Amazon.

This thing costs less than $20 with a 4GB Micro memory card included. You can buy it individually for about $6 too.

Here's a closer look at the BlueProton.

Open the BlueProton, and you'll notice, it first looks like a regular USB Memory Stick, and if you pop open the hood, you'll notice it can take Micro SD, MMC Micro, and Micro Memory Stick (M2) cards.

Build Quality:

Unfortunately, build quality of this memory stick is sub-par. It is clunky, and looks cheap. But, once you get over that, you'll find it's able to do its job just fine. I do wish it wasn't so plasticy.


Setup:

Using the memory reader is a breeze. Pop it into the USB memory reader (I used XP and Vista 64 machines to test), and it immediately is recognized and shows up two drives.

Performance:

Given the USB 2.0 specification, it is not surprising that this device gives you great read/write speeds. Upload/download photos like it was an attached hard disk.

Final Take:

If you want a micro card reader, that's easy to take along, and has good performance, this is it. If you want something that looks and feels good too, then the blueproton is not up to the challenge.

HTC Touch Diamond Charging

I've often been asked whether the HTC Touch Diamond phone can be charged using mini-A-Type USB connectors (second from left below).

You see, the HTC Touch Diamond comes with a proprietary HTC ExtUSB Cord - which has a slightly different shape.


The answer is - yes - the HTC can use regular mini-A type plugs, and you don't need to spend a fortune buying their proprietary cables. The HTC is backward compatible, and the extra connectors that are in the ExtUSB, are for using audio/video - such as their headphones.

I have been charging my own HTC Touch Diamond using regular mini-A cables, without any problem. I would say, though, that battery performance is dismal in this phone, but it may be due to the fact that all iphone competitors give low battery life.

HTC Touch Diamond, mini-A USB Connector