Cache & Carey

Product Review: Don't burn your money on the Brookstone Grill Alert

If you have a proud grill master in your life, don't bother getting them the Brookstone Grill Alert. It's a talking remote meat thermometer for $69.95, and for me, it was just more trouble than it was worth.

A wireless remote alerts you from as far away as 300 feet when food reaches the desired temperature. The belt-clip monitor uses two AA batteries and thermometer transmitter uses two AAA batteries.

The monitor interface is easy to program. Just pick the type of meat (like hamburger, steak, chicken, fish) and how you want it cooked (rare, medium rare, medium or well done). It'll alert you when the food has reached USDA temperature guidelines and should be done cooking.

Seems the engineering brains behind this don't do much grilling.

For starters, the thermometer probe is awkward. The directions say the probe's cord is not supposed to touch the grilling surface, so forget about closing the grill cover.

When I tested it on steaks, I knew the steaks were cooked long enough to be done medium, but the temperature probe kept saying it wasn't near the proper temperature for medium. Good thing I didn't go by that, or I might have had a lousy, dry steak.

And if you're giving this to someone who never grilled before, it might not be helpful, either. There's nothing in the booklet about basic cooking instructions -- you can't abandon the food completely and only depend on the monitor; after all, you have to flip your meat!

Product Review: Jitterbug J is dialtone-riffic

This week I tested the Jitterbug J, a super-simple phone that doesn't require a yearly contract -- just pay for minutes monthly. It's features were designed with seniors in mind: it's got big buttons, yes or no buttons (instead of a green call or a red cancel button) -- and there's even a fake dial tone sound when you open up the clamshell!

But this version has been modernized a bit with text messaging and Bluetooth capabilities. The phone contacts and settings (such as ringtones) can be changed on the phone or via the website MyJitterbug.com. It can also be done remotely for the user anytime by dialing '"0" to reach live U.S.-based customer service. Roadside assistance and live nurse calling features are available for an extra monthly fee. A calendar feature is coming later this year.

The Yes and No buttons are even incorporated into checking voicemail, with questions like ``Would you like to delete this message?''

I'm also a fan of how it provides a list of 20 pre-written text message responses, such as ''On my way,'' ''Doing fine'' and ''Call me.'' If younger folks are texting someone who has no idea how to type on a number pad, this is an easy way to respond. There is the option for users to type a personal message.

But the volume controls could be a problem for some folks. They are located on the front cover of the phone, and because you have to have the clamshell open to adjust the volume, it feels awkward.

Coverage is good because it piggybacks off other carriers. It's $147 for the phone. Plans start at $14.99 a month. I have seen cheaper simple phones on the market designed for seniors, but I've never come across a phone this simple to use. Because if you can't figure it out, just have the operator do it for you! (Although calling the operator will eat up 5 minutes off your plan.)

Verizon launches Mobile TV in South Florida

Starting Friday July 3, Verizon Wireless customers in South Florida can watch select television stations live on their phones with the V Cast Mobile TV service.

It's already been available in other parts of Florida, including Orlando, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Gainesville. AT&T Wireless just released a similar service to South Florida last week.

Prices for the V Cast Mobile TV service start at $15, but can be bundled with other V Cast services for
$25.

Stations accessible include CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC, Comedy Central, TR3S, ESPN, Fox, Fox News, Fox Sports, MSNBC, MTV, NBC, NBC 2Go, NBC News, NBC Sports, Nickelodeon and NickToons.

Mobile TV only works of the following handsets: Samsung u620, LG 9400, LG Voyager, LG Voyager Titanium, Motorola z6tv and the Motorola Krave.

iPhone app aims to cut theme-park wait times

In case you missed it this weekend, here's my story about a down-on-his-luck dad who created iPhone applications for wait times at theme parks, and how Walt Disney World is working on it's own mobile application for Verizon Wireless customers. Disney announced that project with Verizon in November, but there have been no updates yet as to when exactly it will launch this year:

Now an iPhone can do more than just help you kill time while waiting in theme-park lines: it can help you avoid them altogether.

Jacksonville father of four Brent Pope, 44, released a series of applications called Wait Watchers, which shows wait times for Disney and Universal theme-park attractions -- and costs 99 cents per theme park.

First came the app for Disney's Magic Kingdom, released two weeks ago. This week, he released versions for Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot, as well as Universal's Islands of Adventure. He also has created an app for Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood. One for Universal Studios Orlando is on its way.

The applications depend on parkgoers to keep the information up to date. Using Global Positioning System technology, the application allows users to submit a wait-time update only if they are in the theme park.

Think you can shoo away crowds by greatly exaggerating a ride's wait time? Think it would be funny to say the hardly ever crowded Carousel of Progress has a 110-minute wait? Pope's prepared for that and will block an iPhone ID if a user gets flagged multiple times for sending totally wrong times.

''They say necessity is the mother of invention, and in my case, recession was the mother of invention,'' said Pope, who was laid off three months ago from his job as a creative director at an advertising firm.

But losing his job didn't stop a spring-break family trip to Walt Disney World. He often wished he could know a line was going to be long before having to trek across an entire park with four kids in tow. It wasn't until he returned from his trip that the idea sparked. He hired programmers from a company called Phodder to build and manage the app.

Disney has been working on its own mobile magic with Verizon Wireless for several months to create a richer application that would allow Verizon customers to get updated information on attraction wait times, as well as locate shows, restaurants and Disney characters in the parks. It also will let guests play mobile games and get messages from Disney characters.

The application will be released sometime in 2009, according to Disney. And there will be some mobile features available for park guests without Verizon.

Disney fanatics have been creating books, online guides, podcasts and forums centered on a love for the Mouse for years. Social communities that share information -- what Pope's app depends on -- are no exception.

Pope said his app will be useful if at least 12 people in each park contribute data to it throughout the day. His next update will include a countdown for showtimes.

''It's definitely a gamble being completely dependent on a community of people to create content,'' said Forrester analyst Vidya L. Drego. ``It all depends if you end up targeting a group of people that feel it is worth their time.''

Other theme-park apps already are available in the iTunes store, including ones for park maps, Disney trivia and guides to finding Hidden Mickeys -- images of The Big Cheese throughout the parks.

''It shows the strength of our brand,'' said Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger.

Disney's partnership with Verizon is currently available in an Epcot park attraction, the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, where guests go on a scavenger hunt around the park and are given Verizon devices to interact with clues.

Pope said this is just the first wave of theme-park apps he plans on creating. But don't count on him for any apps for Disney's water parks. ''I don't even like my iPhone being next to a glass a water!'' he said.

Product Review: The Palm Pre by Sprint

My video review of the Palm Pre aired this week, which you can watch below. It truly is a beautiful phone with a great interface. As I wrote in my print review, the operating system's synergy makes mobile life convenient: For example, it easily manages multiple e-mail accounts, imports contacts from Facebook and Google, and has a layered calendar for Outlook, Facebook and Google events. I'm also a fan of a camera (with flash! squee!), and how you can have multiple programs open at the same time. And for iTunes users, the phone will sync up with iTunes when connected to a computer.

But why, oh why did they design the keyboard to be on the narrow part of the phone? Why not have it flip out longways to be more spread out? However, it wasn't too tough to type on -- but I mostly used my nails to type.

Although I love the phone, there are some little downers to keep in mind: The Pre doesn't have a way to edit or create Microsoft documents like Word or Excel; this function reportedly is coming soon. It also doesn't record video -- something that pretty much every other dinky phone on the market can do. (Sigh.) Palm said they may look into adding video recording in the future. (And while I'm at it, is anyone else perplexed as to why it took the iPhone two years to add video? Seriously! So many "average" phones on the market record video, that it really is surprising to me when a phone doesn't have that feature.)

Since so much has already been said about the phone, I took part of this week's 60 Second Review to answer some of your questions:

 

Refresh Miami networking event tonight in Coconut Grove

I don't often post networking events here, but I wanted to give you a heads up about Refresh Miami if you haven't already heard of it. Once a month, tech heads gather in Miami to network and share ideas. Refresh started in 2006 and describes itself as a place where new media enthusiasts and professionals work "to refresh the creative, technical, and professional culture of in their areas through the innovative use of new media."

This month's gathering is today, June 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Arts & Minds in Coconut Grove (map below).

This time there will be free beer and pizza for the early birds (sponsored by Barcamp Miami). Davide Di Cillo (@DavideDiCillo) will be presenting his latest project GetAppsDone, which is a marketplace for iPhone and mobile phone app development.

There might also be a brief presentation on Facebook fan pages by the group's founder, Brian Breslin (@BrianBreslin) if there is time.

You can get more details and RSVP on the Facebook Page for today's event.

View Larger Map

AT&T wireless customers in Miami can now get Mobile TV

AT&T has launched its Mobile TV service in South Florida, available for customers from Key West to Indian River County. The service, which expanded to 20 markets on Monday, allows wireless customers to watch full TV shows on their mobile phones.

Unlimited access to AT&T Mobile TV costs $15 a month, or can be bundled with an unlimited data plan for $30 a month. Channels include: CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, FOX News, MSNBC, MTV, NBC2Go, Nickelodeon, CNN Mobile and Pix.

The service works with the LG Invision, LG Vu, Samsung Access and Samsung Eternity.

New technology networking group forms in Downtown Miami

A new networking group for Miami tech heads has emerged, called Tech Tuesday (but no relation to the Miami Herald's tech news section with the same name). It was launched by Seth Gordon, managing partner of the Miami marketing and communications firm Gordon | Diaz-Balart.

The first meeting will be today, June 23, at ECCO Pizzateca, 168 SE First Street, and will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gordon tells me today's meeting will just be networking, but in the future they plan to have speakers.

The events will be sponsored by The Miami Urban Technology Alliance, a project of the Downtown Miami Partnership. A few of the first members include Digiport, real estate firm Colliers Abood Wood Fay, The Internet Coast, South Florida Technology Alliance and Terremark Worldwide.

This isn't the first time Gordon started up a tech networking group in Miami. In October of 1999 he got together a group called Tuesday Network, and had hundreds of people coming a month. But it died out about 18 months later.

So why bring it back now?

"[Tuesday Network] was launched amidst the frothiest part of the bubble. People were just giddy with excitement. ... People had stacks of business plans under their arms," Gordon said. "I think people are more realistic now. More business minded. More grounded."

Gordon is doing this to bring together technology businesses in Downtown Miami. But this isn't a unique concept. There have been other networking groups for tech heads in South Florida, such as Mobile Monday, Refresh Miami, Social Media Club and the South Florida Technology Alliance, to name a few.

Gordon said he would be open to combining forces with another group to make the networking groups even stronger.

But if you're attending today's event, be sure to RSVP to alejandra@gd-b.com or call 305-381-7909.

Meet the Miami Twitter community at the Miami Herald Tweetup

Here's your chance to grab a few cheap drinks and tell me what you really think about my product reviews. Tonight the Miami Herald is putting together a Tweetup (aka: people on Twitter come to meet in person) at Tobacco Road, 626 South Miami Ave., in Miami. If you just want to learn about how people are using Twitter, stop on by. You don't have to be a Twitter user to attend.

Come to chat with Herald reporters, editors, and other cool tweeps in the community.

It goes on from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those of you already on Twitter can RSVP here: http://twtvite.com/i2nhqx



 

View Larger Map

Product Review: Novetel MiFi 2200 for Verizon and Sprint

This week's review is a 2-for-1! (Well, sort of.) I tested the Sprint and Verizon versions of the Novetel MiFi 2200. It's a mobile hotspot that fits in your pocket. It's easy to use -- pretty much just have to charge it, turn it on, and then your nearby mobile devices will be able to connect to the Internet at broadband speeds. Up to 5 devices can tap into it at once.

What impressed me was when I used Verizon's MiFi to connect to Xbox Live and play a game with a friend AND watch streaming videos on a laptop -- and it worked great! There was a little lag in the game in the beginning, but not for long.

Sprint connected to Xbox Live also, but it was having a few connection hiccups -- although I'm sure there were other factors involved (could have been an Xbox Live problem or coverage problem -- hard to say). Sprint worked great when I used it to connect online with my computers. Sprint also has this GPS feature built into the MiFi, but the interface isn't intuitive to use and it kept saying I was in Boca Raton when I was in Cooper City... which are about 33 miles apart. Not really sure if many people will get value out of a GPS inside the MiFi. (Shrug.)

There were two things I wasn't a fan of. Verizon's instructions say you should hook it up to your computer and it download MiFi software to manage your wireless connections. It was glitchy and unnecessary software! Bah.

And Sprint doesn't have a complicated password printed on the back of the device like Verizon does. Sprint has this 54321 default password. I can see folks having trouble with that if they wanted to change it. And then if you change it, it better be something you can remember easily if you want to share it.