I really rely on my iPod (and my iTunes on my laptop) when I’m on the road. Probably another reason I’m so eagerly awaiting MoGo’s headset!

Here are some fun iPod tricks for those of you also on the go:

1) Listen to Wikipedia articles via your iPod. I recently refreshed my memory on the King Henry’s wives via Wikipedia.  There’s a service called Pediaphon that will automatically convert any Wiki article into a robotic podcast - which is actually way cooler than it sounds.

2) Catch up on NPR. My family has a strange addiction to Car Talk. You know, Click and Clack - the Tappit brothers? No? Oh, well you GOT to try them out. A lot of the shows are available only for a week after broadcast, which is a shame because Terry Gross’ interview with Gene Simmons was legendary.

3) Download YouTube to your iPod (or, even easier, use Vixy).  Although this takes longer than watching in a livestream from the site, some of these videos become as favorite as songs and are definitely worth having along to provide a well needed chuckle while on the road.

4) Catch up on your favorite blogs (like this one!).  If you have a corporate laptop and are concerned about loading it up with personal data - like the RSS feeds from the blogs you follow, never fear: there’s a way to actually bring those feeds into your video iPod.

5)  Catch up on your favorite authors or learn a new language. As much as I’m not one to endorse a commercial site, I recently got addicted to ‘Books on Tape’, by which I mean ‘AudioBooks on my iPod’ - a growing selection of which is now available at iTunes. My significant other, meanwhile, has been brushing up on his trigonometry while on the treadmill.

Either way? It’s all good.

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Over at Product-Reviews.net, Daniel decided to review his new MoGo with his Sony PS3 game system.

The result?

Daniel says it worked great.

“While it’s all good that the X54 mouse is sleek and charges in your laptop, what I really loved was being able to connect the mouse via the Bluetooth connection to my Sony PS3″

Daniel goes on to say;

“PS3 console gamers can benefit from this mouse thanks to the easy to set up Bluetooth. It’s simple to use, compact, professional and does the job with ease.”

MoGo and your Game System… Sounds like a great combination!

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We’ve had a lot of questions about the MoGo mouse in the past few weeks as we close in on product release.

Previewed at the Consumer Electronics show earlier this year, the mouse has some cool new features:

• Built-in center scrolling capability through an integrated scroll pad;
• No software drivers required;
• More user-intuitive feel, with deeper finger depressions for more natural operation; and
• “Auto-on” functionality when the mouse is removed from the laptop’s ExpressCard/54 slot.

The ExpressCard/54 slot is rapidly becoming the new standard, and can be found in Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, Lenovo, NEC and Toshiba laptops.

Feel free to ask us if you have any questions!

Or, if you don’t want to wait? Or prefer the standard  PC-card BT version? Then be sure to TAKE ADVANTAGE of the FREE DAPTER now offered with the purchase of your MoGo BT mouse right now through select resellers.

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Q. I’ve searched the MoGo documentation, MoGo reviews and your blog looking for mention of whether or not it is a good idea to simply leave the MoGo mouse in the PC Card slot after it has fully charged, but when it is not being used. My concern is whether or not the mouse continues to drain power from the battery even when it is fully charged? (From Rob)

A. Rob asks a good question. To find the answer, I hunted down Jack Corrao, a VP of Newton Peripherals (maker of MoGo Mouse).

I suspected MoGo used a smart battery, and that’s exactly what Jack confirmed;

The MoGo Mouse includes an intelligent battery management systems that slowly ramps down charging requirement from PC Card slot as it gets close to full charge. Once the MoGo is fully charged, the MoGo does not drain any power from your laptop.

Q. I hadn’t considered using my Bluetooth headset with my laptop before. Can I do that, and then still use it with my phone at the same time? C. (Anon.)

A. In short? Yes.

But you need a ‘multipoint’ kind of headset that is designed specifically to do this.

Normally, however, you can synch (or ‘pair’) your Bluetooth headset to multiple devices but you can only connect it to with one thing at a time.

This is how it works. Say you’ve paired up your headset to your phone. Then a co-worker sends you a rough cut of your company’s latest ad campaign and you want to watch it on your Bluetooth-enabled laptop without broadcasting the sound, but your wired headphones are riding somewhere in the back pocket of a 747 where you accidentally left them.

No problem. Simply put your headset in pairing mode and use your laptop’s Bluetooth manager to find it. Now the sounds of the MVID will be sent to your ear but not your neighbors’.

(If your laptop has never ‘found’ your headset before, then you’ll have to initialize it the first time. If your laptop is Bluetooth-enabled [or you’ve purchased a ‘dapter], start by putting your headset into ‘pairing mode’. This is usually holding down a button until a light blinks, see your manufacturer’s instructions. Then go into the Bluetooth control panel on your laptop and have it ‘discover’ your headset. Once your laptop finds it, you’ll be be prompted for a PIN. Once you’ve done this the first time, you’re off to the races - switching is a matter of holding down the button on the headset and having the device ‘find’ it.)

Q. Does the new MoGo mouse have to be used with a laptop? I want to use it on my regular PC. (Anon.)

A. While some PC’s and most MAC’s do generally come now Bluetooth-enabled and adapters are available (or on the way) if yours isn’t, the other thing a MoGo mouse needs is a PC Card slot to charge up - something not commonly found in a desktop system.

So you can certainly pair up a MoGo mouse to work with your PC, you may need to hunt up a laptop to charge it. However, now that you’ve asked the question maybe you’ll spur some product development

————————————————————————————————

On Fridays, MoGo Mobility’s Elizabeth will seek to answer your MoGo (and non-MoGo) technical questions.

Elizabeth is a professional writer & geek with most of the last decade spent in senior management at a leading global IT provider. Thousands have attended her seminars in the US & Canada on subjects ranging from basic TCP/IP networking to high-end data storage solutions.

Got a question? Ask Elizabeth.

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As Tris pointed out yesterday, Newton Peripherals is prepping for the launch of the next-gen MoGo mouse.

This must-have builds on all the great aspects of the prior model - in-laptop charging and storage, ergonomic ease of use - and adds in some outstanding new ones as well.

To start, they packaged in a scroll bar, right down the middle. This was the Number 1 requested want-to-have from previous conversations with customers. You asked for it, you got it. This low-profile, savvy mouse allows you to scroll through the pages just like its chunkier cousins do.

But that’s just the start of the innovations - this mouse goes to a whole new level…

Because this tool? Is also a multimedia remote control.

Allowing you to walk the room during presentations, forwarding to the next slide or muting sound without having to jog back to your laptop and push a button. The device is subtle and laser accurate.

And because it charges in your laptop, you can stop carrying those extra batteries around.

Using your laptop as a DVD player? Or catching up on your industries podcasts and videos? You can lean back in your chair, put up your feet, and have all the control in your hand - skip ahead, rewind, or pause without leaving your chair.

It comes in two versions, and will be available in August. Check it out!

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Here’s five quick and easy solutions to protecting your laptop and its data from prying eyes and sticky fingers. These are suggestions meant for the most common and blunt security threats; shielding yourself from worms, spam, and spies (oh my!) are posts for future days.
Without further ado…

1) Before you leave, Disable Auto-Logon.

I know, it’s convenient to be able to power up your laptop and have it automatically go into your system.

But this is a major invitation for a security breach. So when you travel, disable it.

How? If you’re running Win2000 or WinXP, Microsoft has the following instructions:

- Go to START and select RUN
- In the script box, type “control userpasswords2″
- In the dialog box that appears, make sure that ‘Users must enter a username and password to use this computer’ is checked
- Click ‘OK’

Instructions for other Microsoft operating systems HERE.

2) Along those same lines? Use Strong Passwords.

Although this seems obvious, the truth is that we are creatures of habit. Which is why so many of us STILL aren’t using strong passwords regularly.

So go ahead. Change your login password right now. If you need to write it down and put it in your wallet, feel free. The point is is to make it hard for a thief and/or hacker to get at your data.

Unsure what a “strong password” is? Wikipedia has a good definition, here. Unsure if you can create one? There is a random strong password generator here.

3) Lock access to your laptop.

Your car and house have keys, shouldn’t your laptop? Securikey is a system (about $130 at MacWorld) that gives you two USB ‘keys’ to lock your laptop. You install their software (works for most Mac and PC systems) and from then on, you have to provide a password AND have one of the USB keys in the laptop’s port before you can access your system.

The USB keys are pretty durable and designed to hang on your key-chain.

4) Lock your laptop.

We all know a co-worker or fellow road warrior who has stepped away from whatever temporary office they’ve been using only to come back and find their laptop gone.

A simple $40 laptop lock would prevent about 90% of these thefts.

So go ahead, buy one. (like Kensington’s). It takes up very little room in your bag and can mean all the difference.

5) Use a privacy screen.

I can’t tell you how much proprietary and private information I’ve been exposed to over the years in various coach seats at 15,000 feet.

40% of those surveyed, like me, will admit to seeing what they are not meant to from time to time. The rest? Well, maybe they have portable blinders.

Privacy filters for laptops run about $40 - $125. If you’re like me, you’ll soon get in the habit of leaving it on all the time, even back in the home office (because prying eyes can be anywhere.)

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This blog isn’t just about MoGo products, it’s also for those of us who do the mobile work thing. Travel a lot? Conference junkie? Your basic road warrior? Yep, us too. We love our gadgets and our laptops, but you know it’s a love-hate thing sometimes too isn’t it? Culled from our great minds, here are our top 10 things you should carry in your gear bag (besides the laptop) in no particular order…

1. A really good laptop bag. Okay you might think this is a no brainer, but a lot of people skimp on this road warrior essential. What kind of bag is right for you depends on you. Some folks like the ones on wheels. Others something more like a traditional briefcase. Me, I’m a messenger bag kind of guy. Regardless of what you choose it must have: good padding, pockets, pockets, pockets, comfortable and strong straps, room for other “stuff”, and a little extra space for last minute things.
2. Portable surge protector. While you try to work off battery, you do have to plug in sometime. The problem can be that the places you plug in might not have the best power around. I use the BC Ferries a lot and there are warnings about power surges about all outlets. I used to carry a little one outlet job that worked well, when I remembered it. Now I have a surge protector that straps onto the power brick of my laptop power cable and connects right to it. I don’t forget it because it’s always there, always on.
3. Outlet expander. Yes, you can carry a power strip to cover 2 & 3, but sometimes I like to just toss in a little three outlet expander into my bag (especially when I head to a conference). There is nothing better to win friends and influence people by not just using an outlet, but sharing too.
4. Cable Clamps. This is a brand name. These are like handcuffs for cables (no key). For me these are essential for keeping the cord insanity to a dull roar. The are simple, so simple. Just open, bundle your cord, and close. They are made of a durable hard plastic, come in three sizes, and can be used and reused.
5. Laptop lock. I didn’t invest in one of these for a while, but I’m glad I did. You know these babies, they have a hardened steel cable with a loop on one end and a lock on the other. Loop around some immovable object and put the lock into the slot on your laptop. I went for the combo lock version. I just didn’t want another key to have to keep track of.
6. Extra cables. I could bulk this list up naming each one, but I’ll save the fluff. I carry a USB cable that works with my Blackberry and my Digicam and an extendable Ethernet cable with coupler. That’s pretty much all I need, but I also have at the ready to toss into my bag (if I’m feeling rather McGyver-ish) phone cable with coupler and a retractable USB printer cable. Really what you’re going for is having the cables you need to connect and charge devices. Is longer better? For USB, I don’t think so, Ethernet, yeah.
7. Rechargeable batteries. I carry a few extras in my bag for my camera and anything else that needs them (like MP3 player). One tip is to secure them with a rubber band so they don’t bump into each other and discharge in your bag. The charger? If I’m going to a conference, yes. Day to day, no.
8. WiFi detector. I have a really simple one that just gives a presence (with strength) or absence indication. While it might not be giving you a ton of information, it does tell me if it’s worth turning your machine on.
9. Ear-bud headphones and small mic. Okay the mic might be optional for some, but I have one to do Skype calls and maybe to record a podcast on the road. The headphones are, however, essential. In a cafe or something having your sound on is rude, but you might still like to hear if your e-mail bings or listen to some tunes (to drown out everyone else).
10. Travel mouse. Yeah you’ve been waiting for this one haven’t you? Yes a travel mouse is important. Look trackpads are great, but for long-term use, they suck. I tried a travel mouse that ran on a couple AAA batteries and used RF to send signal. You know I don’t use it anymore. Why? I can’t get it to work. Okay that and it sucks batteries dry fast and was way too small. The MoGo Mouse uses Bluetooth to communicate, charges in your laptop, and is human-sized. And I can’t freakin’ wait to get mine!

Other stuff? I never leave home without my Blackberry. I have Gtalk, Gmail, and Google Maps on that baby (and yes an unlimited data plan). If your phone can take Google Maps, get it. The time you use it to find your way will be worth any data charges (I got lost in Toronto and used my Berry to find my way back to the hotel). I’m sure you can suggest some more stuff here.

I’m probably forgetting something so what’s in your core kit?

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First impressions…hmm, where to begin. I’m in love. How about that? I finally have my hands on my very own, shiny, new MoGo Mouse BT. Talk about the most impressive marriage between convenience, innovation, design and just plain “cool factor.” Heck, it even Smells like new technology, and all you out there know exactly what I’m talking about.

Linking it to my laptop took about 9 seconds, and the ability to use a REAL mouse is beyond helpful. It slides well, and when I was done (before the snazzy photo shoot, that is) I let it quietly slip back into the PC Card Slot to recharge and hide from the world. Check out the Tech Porn above.

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