My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on October 2, 2007

I was discussing cellphones the other day while discussing the new full featured iPhone, Blackberries and Treo lineup and recalled my older Samsung SPH-i500 flip phone. Hmm … it was the one device that I wish would have seen continued development and adoption in the U.S. (the similar SCH-i539 is said to be sold in China?)

Photos taken with Palm Treo 700p

The Samsung i500 was my first Palm OS phone and it offered excellent functionality in a very compact flip phone size. (although I did use a Handspring Visor PDA) The case was aluminum clad (sort of Macbook Pro-ish) and used an optional high-capacity battery which gave it a usable full day of juice.

It had limitations which started with is very small display and offered a dedicated write on Graffiti text entry area. It had limited limited memory, challenging text entry for longer messages and used a ‘wired’ headset or ear bud for hands-free use. There were a few glitches that needed improvement, but all in all there was a lot crammed into a small clam-shell phone.

The SPH-i500 phone didn’t offer bluetooth for handsfree, but did have a infrared data transfer option which worked great with my printer or other Palm devices. The phone didn’t work with the updated Palm OS, offer a camera or SMS messaging — although there was a limited software option. It wasn’t ready for EV-DO higher speed data and didn’t have an SD card slot. The new model, the SPH-i550, which was in the works prior to it not being adopted by my carrier Sprint addressed most of these issues; if it would have been available, I’m sure that I would be using it today.

Category: Cellphone, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: handspring, palm, pre, samsung, smartphone, sph-i500

Posted By RichC on October 1, 2007

The stock market had a solid day of gains today with the Dow Jones Industrials up 190+ points and setting a new record, but not all segments were stellar. Hardest hit were the drugstore chains as that segment suffered heavy selling pressure.
Three of the leading companies that I track and trade were down significantly in an overall up day. The move down was lead by Walgreens (WAG) which reported a rare profit decline.

Walgreens fiscal fourth-quarter was released today which reported that net income fell 3.8% – its first earnings drop in nearly 10 years. Immediately the stock dropped and eventually closed down over $7 per share, about 14%. The CEO blamed higher costs and accounting charges, but cited tough year-over-year comparisons on generic-drug sales. According to analysts’ reports, last year, Walgreen reaped big profits as Zocor, Merck & Co.’s (MRK) popular anti-cholesterol drug, hit its stores in generic form in June 2006. “Zocor was by far the biggest generic launch we’ve experienced so far,” Walgreen spokesman Michael Polzin said in an interview.

Concern found its way over to CVS (CVS) and RiteAid (RAD) too, although CVS indicated that their current estimates still looked to be achievable; yet to be seen. RiteAid has been struggling to keep their stock price up and has been down significantly in the past few weeks.

Category: Financial, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: drugstore, finance, investing, stock, trading

Posted By RichC on September 30, 2007

The final construction project that will complete the original plans for our home is underway as the masonry crew finished the foundation. We are adding a back porch and outdoor fireplace (left elevation) that replaces an existing deck which houses our hot tub. The new stamped concrete is in place of the 12 year old wood deck and will be large enough to include a stone outdoor fireplace. I’m excited to have foundations in before the fall weather turns sour and look forward to getting the the cement poured and roof started. Stay tuned as I’m sure I’ll post again. (Palm Treo 700p smartphone photos)

Category: Archive, Misc, Personal, Photos | 12 Comments »
Tags: addition, back porch, construction, house, project

Posted By RichC on September 29, 2007

Those ‘sexy’ iPhones are a pretty attractive (and expensive) toys/tools to be hacking, but according to users around the world they have been modified with software to operate with ‘unauthorized carriers’ around the world. (link) In the U.S., AT&T is the only network authorized by Apple … but hacks and other unsupported programs are being used to bypass this restriction. According to several technology blogs, Apple has warned that the iPhone will most likely not function correctly after updates and may even cause “irreparable” damage.” (link) Some say that this is already happening as several users have reported that after a recent update their iPhones they have become “ibricks.” Owners of iPhones be warned since Apple requires purchasers of iPhones to agree to a lengthy contract with AT&T when buying and will not be supporting phones being hack and used with unauthorized carriers. Engadget details the current should or shouldn’t dilemma iPhone users face when deciding to update to the current 1.1.1 firmware.

Category: Apple, Cellphone | No Comments »
Tags: hack, virus

Posted By RichC on September 28, 2007

Palm announced their new Sprint based Centro smartphone at the DigitalLife conference in New York City on Thursday. The smaller and more stylish smartphone was announced earlier across the pond, and expected in the states today. The release was semi- expected, although did seem to happen a bit sooner than many Palm Treo users expected. (I sort of expected a 6 month delay?) The Palm blog used the new Centro to MoBlog their post from the floor of the DigitalLife conference with an included photo here.

Features of the Palm Centro include:
– New compact design, Centro is the smallest and lightest Palm phone to date
– $99.99 price point (after discounts and promotions)on Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Network (yes, it’s EvDO)
– Voice, text, IM, email, web, a full-color touch screen and full keyboard
– Available in two colors – ruby red and onyx black.

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Posted By RichC on September 27, 2007

Volkswagen will be making their rounds in hopes to promote their TDI diesel and alternative fuels in something they call the “Volkswagen Dieselution Tour.” Here’s a bit from a press release.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. is launching the Dieselution Tour, a mobile marketing exhibit, to educate the media and the public on advances in clean diesel technology and alternative fuels.

Using interactive displays and exhibits, the Dieselution Tour will highlight current environmental issues and showcase advances in diesel engine technology, design and performance. Starting today, the exhibit embarks on a four-month tour, making stops at events and locations around the United States, including environmental and alternative fuel festivals, auto shows and the 2008 Super Bowl.

“Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We want to show Americans that today’s clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the powerplants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any outdated perception about diesel technology.”

“As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient,” Jacoby added. “Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we’re confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships.”

The Dieselution Tour is centered around a 53-foot-long, double-expandable semi-trailer with exhibits and interactive displays. Elements include an “Alt Fuel/ Alt Film video area; a Dieselab with a series of interactive and video displays; a Diesel Heritage section, illustrating Volkswagen’s diesel history and leadership; a Sustainability Station, involving an interactive quiz and a Carbon Footprint Calculator; a Beyond Diesel perspective featuring SunFuel; and a Motorsports display, outlining Volkswagen’s recent history and international success in racing diesel vehicles in events like the Baja 500, Pikes Peak, and the Dakar rally.

The Dieselution Tour will also feature the 2009 Jetta TDI, Volkswagen’s new, 50-state clean diesel offering. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in spring of 2008. Also on display, a 3.0-liter V6 TDI Touareg, the Polo Blue Motion and the oldest Volkswagen diesel in America, a 1977 Rabbit.

Partner/sponsor companies involved in this landmark exhibit are International Truck and Engine Company and CarbonFund.org. a non-profit carbon offset provider.

Signifying Volkswagen’s environmental concern, the Dieselution Tour will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Volkswagen and Carbonfund.org recently announced a partnership to offset one year of carbon emission from each new Volkswagen sold in the U.S. from September, 2007 through January 2, 2008. In return, Volkswagen is working with Carbonfund.org to reforest land in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) in northern Louisiana, a wetland ecosystem that had been largely converted to farmland.

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Posted By RichC on September 26, 2007

As Volkswagen TDI owners wait patiently for new VW diesels to show in the spring of 2008, we can at least surf the web to find a few interesting tidbits in order to pass the time. Perhaps the most anticipated new Volkswagen is the small SUV called the Tiguan. The current site is in German (let me know if there is an English version), but the video clip is acceptable in all languages. This is going to be a hot little all-wheel drive vehicle when it show up in the U.S. and it should appeal to a wide range of buyers if it is priced right. (really nice with a small VW TDI diesel) Check out the YouTube clip below:

Category: Misc | 2 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on September 25, 2007

In a press release, Chrysler announced a special discount program for ‘members’ of the National Biodiesel Board to purchase or lease a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle. (link) The focus is on the company’s new diesels which means it only includes the Dodge Ram HD pick up truck and Jeep’s high end Grand Cherokee SUV. Although the effort Chrysler is making to team up with the NBB to promote clean, domestic, renewable biodiesel is to be applauded, their vehicle lineup is rather skimpy.

On a brighter note, Chrysler and the NBB are working together for a new national fuel standard for B20, a fuel composed of 80 percent conventional diesel and 20 percent biodiesel. A standard is anticipated in the next several months. “A B20 standard will enable us to support the use of B20 in all diesel vehicles – from passenger cars to the largest city buses and semi-tractor-trailers – further encouraging use of this clean, renewable, American-made fuel,” said Deborah Morrissett, Vice President – Regulatory Affairs for Chrysler.

Chrysler has already approved use of B5 (5 percent biodiesel fuel) in its diesel vehicles, and the Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram pickups are delivered to customers running on the renewable fuel, Morrissett noted. And the company has approved use of B20 by its fleet customers who follow specifications for fuel quality.

Increased use of renewable fuels, including biodiesel, is needed if Americans are to achieve ambitious goals for greater energy security, less dependence on oil and a cleaner environment, Morrissett said. For example, a Dodge Ram diesel pickup or Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV running on B20 fuel would use nearly 40 percent less petroleum over its lifetime compared with a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle.

“Like NBB, we believe that biodiesel has an important role to play in America’s energy future,” Morrissett said. “We look forward to continuing our work with NBB and its members on this important national priority.”

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Posted By RichC on September 24, 2007

A Leftlanenews brief mentioned that Volkswagen will offer all future models with a hybrid option. VW head of development Ulrich Hackenberg also told Automobilwoche that VW will offer a BlueMotion — the name of VW’s environmentally friendly diesel line — version of Tiguan SUV and that there is a “good chance” the Eos retractable hardtop convertible would be offered with the BlueMotion technology. Eventually, Volkswagen plans to expand BlueMotion throughout its entire lineup.

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Posted By RichC on September 22, 2007

It was a great day for a CinciTDI get together (GTG) as the scheduled brake bleeding event went like clockwork thanks to our volunteer ‘wrenchers.’ (Thank you guys) Most of the VW TDIs received fresh brake fluid very efficiently as the Motive Powerbleeders made short work of changing the brake fluid in each of our Volkswagens. Unlike many GTGs, we all had time to relax and talk a bit — including the ‘wrenchers;’ it was great to hear each others thoughts on how to plan and prepare our bid to host the 2008 TDIFest. I’m starting to get excited … it is going to be a great ‘Fest!

Again, thanks to all the CinciTDI folks who came, helped and share a good time around our cherished little Volkswagens. (It was great to meet some new folks too)

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