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Sometimes there is no better way to get something right than to fix it yourself. Back in late december I installed OS X on that Dell Mini 9 Netbook I purchased.

Back then there where some things that where not quite right, namelly:

- Random UI Artifacts
- Sound would not work after resuming from sleep
- Updating Mini 9 specific kernel extensions would sometimes result in corrupted EFI partition
- THere was issues reading SD/SDHC cards
- Units with Dell STEC SSD would not resume from sleep
- The key “0″ would be stuck after resuming from sleep

Thanks to the help of some very bright folks at MyDellMini and to DellEFI all of the above issues have been resolved. One could say that the Dell Mini 9 is as close to the real thing as you are going to get.

By the way, Gizmodo posted a nice howto for installing OS X on the Mini: http://i.gizmodo.com/5156903/how-to-hackintosh-a-dell-mini-9-into-the-ultimate-os-x-netbook

I am not really crazy about Microsoft products but this one is really cool. The product is called Recite and run on Windows Mobile Phone 6.0+

Microsoft Recite is a search technology for your voice that runs on Windows Mobile* devices. With Microsoft Recite, you can use your voice to easily store, search and retrieve the things you want to remember, where and when you need them. Microsoft Recite is available as a free technology preview beginning February 16, 2009.

*Microsoft Recite can be used on devices running Windows Mobile version 6.0 or higher. Not sure what you’re running? A complete list of devices can be found at http://recite.microsoft.com

Microsoft Recite’s voice search makes it easy to retrieve your stored thoughts and notes by using voice pattern matching. It analyzes the patterns in your speech and finds matches between two recordings — the notes you stored on your phone, and the search you do using your voice. With Recite you can store thousands of spoken notes, and then later retrieve the notes you want based on a match with your search term(s). This is different from speech recognition, which has to accurately convert spoken words to application-readable input.

Here is an awesome demo:

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• Microsoft Recite (blogs.msdn.com)

JAJAH, the leading IP telecommunications company, today announced a complete revamp of the iPod touch, turning the device into a fully functioning mobile phone for consumers. The new capability, available as a white label solution, enables carriers as well as non-carriers to launch the service under their own brand and provide their customers with the ability to make low-cost phone calls and send SMS text messages to any phone in the world from their iPod touch. To use the service, end users only require an iPod touch and a Wi-Fi connection, with no need for a SIM card or contract.

Move over, iPhone

The iPod touch is one of the most popular consumer devices in the world for music, entertainment, Web-browsing and now, making phone calls.

“Millions of people around the world already have an iPod touch in their pocket. With JAJAH’s solution, any company can turn their customers’ iPod touch into a fully functioning mobile phone,” said Trevor Healy, CEO, JAJAH. “The device is particularly popular amongst students, who live in a world where Wi-Fi access is always available and, like everyone, they are looking to save costs, so this is a perfect solution.”

JAJAH’s next generation IP communications platform gives its partners everything they need to launch the service immediately. This includes the application itself, plus the entire suite of management services, from termination of the calls and quality control, right through to billing and processing payments in 200 countries around the world.

Given the economic downturn, consumers are seeking ways to make calls on any mobile device they own, as inexpensively as possible. “Offering a turnkey solution provides iPod touch users with added value,” said Jon Arnold, principal analyst of J Arnold & Associates. “This is a prime example of how JAJAH’s innovative platform helps carriers differentiate their services.”

Connection made easy …

Anyone with the latest version of the iPod touch will be able to download the service from the Apple App Store. With a microphone headset (available from Apple), users will immediately be able to make calls and send SMS messages from their device from any Wi-Fi network in the world. Calling costs will be up to 98 percent cheaper than existing rates on mobile networks, and in many cases could be free.

A platform for everyone (else)

JAJAH’s plug-and-play IP platform is the only service that provides the full suite of services required to develop, deploy and monetize IP communication services anywhere in the world. The JAJAH platform is used by a number of the world’s largest companies including Intel, Yahoo! and Comcast, and allows any company to offer value-added-services (VAS) to their customer base with no upfront payment or development work, saving millions for its customers and ensuring partners are prepared for the next generation of service provision.

JAJAH continues to develop innovative communications services. In the coming months the company will announce a range of new data communication services, applications and partnerships. For more information, please visit: www.jajah.com.

About JAJAH

JAJAH, the world’s most innovative communications company, offers flexible, next-generation telephony solutions for consumers and businesses. JAJAH’s award-winning services make it easier for people to stay in touch using any device, on any network, anywhere. Leveraging a universal open telecommunications platform, JAJAH’s managed services allow mobile operators, landline carriers, cable companies, technology companies and other businesses to adopt its voice solutions with minimal investment and time to market. The leading global IP telephony company is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

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• JAJAH (Kinda, Sorta) Brings Phone Calls to iPod Touch (jkontherun.com)
• JAJAH Turns iPod Touch Into an iPhone (Market Wire) (techmeme.com)

Livestation, the destination for live broadcasting over broadband, has built a broadcaster’s tool kit to enable its partner broadcasters to interact with a live TV audience in real time.

The tool kit is currently being tested by partner channel Al Jazeera English and used on the Riz Khan show

The Livestation tool kit includes:

Live Chat moderation tools

This enables broadcasters to moderate the live chat taking place around their live programmes being streamed on Livestation.

Programme producers have always been able to enter the Livestation chat room attached to their live streaming in order to stimulate debate and invite viewer contributions. This has been used regularly by the Riz Khan production team to draw questions, add perspective and engage the audience in the live debate.

Now those programme producers are able to warn or silence offenders in order to maintain standards of taste and decency and limit the likelihood of offence and flooding (repeat posting).

Live Panel

The tools include the ability to send out instant polls and encourage viewers to vote on the key question being addressed by a programme.

Producers set the question and multi-choice answers and set a time limited. Once the Live Panel is sent a pop up appears on each viewers screen and they are able to vote. When the poll closes a new graphic pops up with the result. Real-time, instant, interactive feedback from a global broadband audience.

Programme Alerts

The third tool in the broadcasters’ pack is the ability to send out alerts when a show is coming up which involves viewer participation. This enables broadcasters to invite people to join the chat, participate in the live show and take part in any polls.