Gadgets on Diogo Gomes

Open Vidonn

Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:30:00 +0000

For some month’s now I’ve been using Moves.app which was recently acquired by Facebook. Moves allows me to track my daily activity through the use of my smartphone accelerometer and GPS. In the end of the day/week, I’m able to analyze how much exercise I did, as well as where I’ve been to… The last feature being the one which I would rather not disclose to Facebook. Moves works great except for a tiny detail, that has become a big one: It eats up all the battery. I was still using my iPhone 4S when I started using moves, battery would drain before the end of the day. My Nexus 5 is holding better, but still it’s taking a big hit.

iOS to Android

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:30:00 +0000

I’ve been an iOS user (in various incarnations: iphone 3G, iphone 3Gs, iphone 4s, ipad, ipad 3) for more then 4years, I’m what many of you would call an Apple fanboy.

Two years ago, I bought a Nexus 7 to get more involved with Android. At first it all seemed very strange, various applications weren’t available and I just kept getting back to my iOS devices.

But this year, instead of the next logical upgrade to an iphone 5s, I decided to go with a Google Nexus 5.

An Arduino shield to control your house

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 17:38:00 +0000

This post is long due since I’ve built this shield almost half a year ago and works great :)

So here is the story of how it all came about.

Having too many remote controls around (TV, STB, Home Cinema, PS3, PowerSwitches) I decided to get ride of them all and use only my laptop/smartphone. Using an Arduino I developed a shield that works as an universal IR remote control and as an RF remote control (315Mhz). So here are the instructions:

The Contour ROAM Action Cam

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:51:31 +0000

While my blog hasn’t been getting any action, I’ve gotten myself an action cam to record my MTB rides.

Two years ago my brother bought a Drift x170 and we have since recorded all of our bikes rides. The Drift x170 is a non HD camera, but even so we recorded several hours of video which we still enjoy to watch back today.

Fast forward to our days. To record video in non HD format is the equivalent of taping music in a magnetic tape in the age of CD’s. It was therefore about time to upgrade our videos to HD. And since my brother has recently moved to France, it was up to me to shell out on a new Action Cam to bring along in our MTB rides.

Linux kernel 2.6.38.4 for the Iomega iConnect

Mon, 02 May 2011 11:21:31 +0000

After a long hiatus, I’m back with the latest version of the linux kernel (2.6.38.4) for the iomega iconnect.

This new kernel brings several improvements to the previous ones, since it improves support for Marvell’s Kirkwood platform (on which iConnect is built upon) and finally includes in the main kernel the wireless driver for the RaLink RT3090 Wireless 802.11n 1T/1R PCIe which is built in the iConnect.

Without further due, here are the files:

Binary Kernel and Modules for the Iomega iConnect running Linux Debian

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:21:31 +0000

In the last months after I’ve published an howto on how to customize the Linux kernel for the Iomega iConnect, I’ve been getting lots of comments from people who would like to have a go at installing it, but which are not proficient Linux users.

In order to assist those situations, I’m hereby making it available binary versions of Linux 2.6.37 configured for the Iomega iConnect, as well as the source code used to compile those binaries.

Customizing a Kernel for the Iomega iConnect

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:41:16 +0000

If you have followed my previous post on how to install Debian to the Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station you have been dying to read this follow-up post on how to take you iConnect to the next level by customizing the kernel and finally controlling the buttons and leds in the device (not to mention making use of the wireless card).

Setting up a cross-compile environment

First thing you need is to setup an environment in which you will cross compile the kernel and everything else that needs to go into the iConnect. Don't take me wrong here, the iConnect is a great device and all, but it just can't compete with your state of the art laptop/workstation ;)

Installing Debian on a Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:35:26 +0000

Installing Debian on a Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station is not that difficult but will unavoidably void your warranty. You will need to rip apart the device in order to access the console port.

Requirements:

Access to the Serial Console through a USB to serial interface such as the FTDI - TTL-232R-3V3-WE (some soldering required)
USB harddisk or stick (harddisk is advisable since stick tend to wear off)
Ethernet Connection for debian installation - Important!!! you MUST use Gigabit Ethernet!!! due to a bug in the Debian Install Kernel
Linux Host in order to setup the kernel

First step is to rip apart the iConnect and reach the serial port as depicted here.

After connecting your host to the iconnect through the usb serial adapter you should be getting a prompt:

Low Power Home Server

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:26:44 +0000

For a long time I’ve searched for a way to replace my aging ASUS WL500gx which looks like the WL500g but packs 2 USB2.0 ports and has extra RAM (64MB).

The ASUS has been my home server for a long time now (>5 years), providing me with a reliable SSH server through which I can proxy my Internet usage whenever I’m in a public space, with a small webserver in which I keep Internet and Power Usage statistics and for a brief period of time was my printing server (it was replaced first by an Apple Airport Express, and more recently by ZON’s HUB).

ISA's iMeter Kit

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:06:45 +0100

Two years ago I had a first experience with a device that enabled me to monitor my power consumption habits per equipment. It was very educational and enabled me to switch off and remove some less efficient equipments which were basically vampire equipments. Unfortunantely the device can only monitor one equipment at a time and has no interface through which to get data out.

Arduino - Network Remote Control

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:17:26 +0100

Although my Phd is in Electrotechnics, I’m mostly a Software Engineer. Trying to put things straight, I’ve picked up a personal project with a bit more hardware :)

The idea is to build something resembling this or this without leaving my pocket empty, and in the time between build something with my bare-hands.

So today I set things in motion by visiting InMotion in it’s office in Oporto where I met Filipe Valpereiro. There I picked up an Arduino Duemilanove and an Ethernet Shield to go with. Tomorrow I hope to drop by the local electronics shop to pickup a photodiode and an IR LED. That should account for all the hardware I need in this project.

iRobot Roomba 555

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Having a kid is lots of fun, but also the most time consuming task one can have. Lately house chores were starting to create a backlog, since obviously kid would come first :)

That said, the family decided it was time to get some help, and we rushed to buy a Robot Vacuum Cleaner in order to get an “extra hand”. Some of you might say it was an impulse buy, and you are probably right… but the truth is: it is already paying off.

Blog Sale

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:27:51 +0000

Estava aqui numas arrumações de primavera (sim que este calor não engana ninguém) e resolvi fazer uma americanisse chamada “garage sale”.

Como a minha garagem fica numa cave e poucas pessoas passam por lá, optei por um “blog sale”.

A lista de itens está disponivel na continuação deste artigo no meu blog.

</shameless>

Apple TV price

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:40:12 +0000

Would someone please explain to me the rational (because I believe there is one) behind the fact that the Apple TV is the ONLY product in Apple Store whose price in euros in actually higher (50%) then in dollar albeit the weak dollar ? Check it your selves: http://store.apple.com/us http://store.apple.com/pt

Where is the symbian store?

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:44:22 +0100

So I’ve had a Nokia E51 for less then a week, and all I can say is:

“Where is the symbian store ?” Compared to the Apple Store where I can get tons of applications for my iPod Touch, or the recently announced store announced by google for TMobile’s G1 Phone announced today, the symbian platform definitely lacks a centralized gathering point for all the software available out there.

For a newcomer such as myself, the task of find applications that fit our needs is too high when compared with the competition, and I don’t think of my self as a tech savvy person…

New (old) Cellphone

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:40:22 +0100

After less then a year of usage my SE w580 has failed me… the cursor right key doesn’t work which makes it pretty hard to navigate in the main screen and to write sms with symbols and using T9.

Luckly enough my father had a Nokia E51 hanging around the house since he bought an iPhone, which I’ll be using for the next time being

That to say until one of the following things happen: I buy my self an iPhone, I get my w580 fixed, the Nokia too fails. Now what can I say about the Nokia E51 ?

Power Saving

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:35:28 +0000

Today I was buying some bricolage accessories in aki, when I spotted the power meter that Joao Barros mentioned a few days ago, so I decided to buy one to.

Let me start by saying how much power I’ve started saving by turning off “stand-by” equipments:

Living room TV (8W in "off"!? and 12W in standby)
Desktop computer, 2x LCD Monitor (8w) - which I don't use anymore but were still plugged in.
Kitchen TV (4W)
Several Power adapters (4W)

Curiosities:

G4 mac-mini (30W on, 3W on standby!!)
Microwave (4W to display a clock !?

Hope to save some € thanks to this :)

Canon 400D

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:58:20 +0000

Canon 400D, originally uploaded by Diogo Gomes.

I didn't get the same deal Ricardo did, but it was nevertheless a good Christmas Gift for me and my wife :) Not being a great photographer myself... My wife makes it up for both, check her photographs at olhares.com

iPod Touch

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:48:49 +0000

Well this weekend my clock turned 27 years, and my wife and friends decided to give me an iPod Touch, which I had keeped in my wishlist for a while.

The experience is great, I also own a 4G ipod (the last monochromatic model) and this new model is all I could wish for…

The wifi interface is great, as it enables me to quickly check my email and feeds. The large screen will hopefully keep me entertained during flights. And hopefully will last more :).

New cellphone

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

After more then a month carefully choosing my new cellphone, I choose none of the candidates.

Instead I went with the Sony Ericsson w580i, which actually belongs to the same family as the S500i but has walkman capabilities, and most importantly doesn’t have a fame of cracking the keyboard after less then a week use.

Technically speaking the W580i is an EDGE cellphone that fits my previously mentioned requirements: slide form factor, bluetooth, high-speed modem and costed less then 300€. From the pack of candidate cellphones the grey version of the W580i is also IMHO the most beautiful of them all. So all said I think I did a good buy, but only time will tell as I had only the weekend to test it.

choosing a new cellphone

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

I’m in the market for a new cellphone.

My requirements are for:

Clam or Slider form-factor
Bluetooth
Highspeed modem (>EDGE)
around 300€ (less would be good :))

So far my choice is between these two:

The Motorola v3xx @ vodafone

Plus: HSDPA modem, always loved the design of the RAZR Minus: Old model, locked phone

The Sony Ericsson S500i

Plus: It’s similar to my S700i, fits the requirements
Minus: Most reviews complain about the bad materials

Got an iPhone

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:16:59 +0100

Well, thats not true… But hey! Grabbed your attention didn’t I ?

Today is the US launch of the iPhone, for the Europeans this means at least half a year waiting…

According to the news, Vodafone will be the chosen carrier (good news, means I will not need to change carrier).

Meanwhile, I'm keeping my old 3.5G ipod and SE S700i, with a new theme just to get use to it :)

New laptop

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:10:14 +0100

It’s true, I dumped my trusty IBM Thinkpad for this:

MacBook (Black) - Intel Core2 Duo T7200 2.00GHz

Keeping the story short, FNAC had the now old model for 1099,00€ (limited stock) after some talks with my wife, we ended up getting 2 (your heard it!) of these machines for the price of a MacBook Pro (on which I had my eyes on for like a year or so). It was a great 2 for the price of 1 deal.

Not that bad after all!

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:57:40 +0100

Forget all about my previous post!

As it turns out Apple TV is quite nice after all, or better yet, it has all it takes to be a great gadget!

Check this link

Apple TV

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 11:34:44 +0000

Any one who has talked to me in the months since the Apple TV launch, knows of my interest in getting one.

Since yesterday Apple TV is shipping, but I’m not placing an order (yet!).

Many people say it’s an expensive product (299€), some say it does far less then what is expected. For me it’s the lack of support for DivX.

Apple and Microsoft get the message: WE DON’T WANT PROPRIETARY CODECS!!

N770 Clone

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:31:27 +0000

Almost every piece of hardware is clonable in China (see ipods)

The big difference between the original and the clone ends up being the software, with the clone having the crappiest possible software.

Then what if your software could legally be cloned ? as in OSS ?

There comes the H9 UMPC which runs Linux and is an obvious clone of the Nokia 770 (known for running a special Linux version called Maemo)