ft.com/gadgetguru

The question

I do hope you can help me. At the moment I use a simple T-mobile Nokia phone and access the internet and AOL separately using a PC.

I am still in business and travel a great deal, sometimes on holiday, on cruises and to the Americas and the Far East. I am also in my 70s so find new fangled complicated machines difficult!I need to be able to access and send e-mails and wondered which BlackBerry you would recommend with simple-to-read text, that can be used all over the world easily. I read your article in the Financial Times last week and cannot decide which machine I should go for. If I go to a shop some 18-year old will just flick faster than light through all the buttons - and I shall be none the wiser!
From Helen Conway 

The Answer
Thanks for your email. Given that you want to be able to send and receive emails anywhere in the world you definitely need a ‘world phone’ – a handset that will work on the various flavours of GSM networks around the globe. Given this, and the fact that you want a Blackberry, I would recommend either the BlackBerry Bold or the BlackBerry Storm though the Storm is not yet available and has a different kind of keyboard.

I think you would probably be best served by a physical keyboard so the BlackBerry Bold should be your first choice.

If you are happy to wait a while, you might also consider the new T-Mobile G1 which has a relatively large screen and slide-out keyboard making it reasonably easy to use.

The Question:

You ran an article some time ago regarding registry repair software etc. You indicated that you liked RegCure.  Is that still the case? From Don Kennett

The Answer:

Actually I have changed my recommendations since then and fine-tuned them a bit.

If you feel reasonably comfortable using these types of tools and are looking for a free registry cleaner I would recommend RegSeeker (http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm) or CCCleaner (www.cccleaner.com) which is fairly conservative in its approach but works quite well.

Among the paid for programs, I like the latest version of Registry First Aid (www.rosecitysoftware.com) which works with all the major versions of Windows and costs $28 although you can try before you buy.

My overall favourite these days is Chem Table’s Reg Organiser (www.chemtable.com/organizer.htm)  which costs $40 to download and is I think, the most comprehensive and effective registry cleaner available at the moment.

No matter which package you choose, make sure you make a back-up copy first (if you are running Windows XP or Vista it is a good idea to create a ‘Restore Point’ so you can roll back any changes if necessary.

(In XP, select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. Select Create a restore point, click Next and follow the instructions. In Vista, click Start, type sysdm.cpl and press ‘enter.’ Click the System Protection tab, then the Create button.)

The Question

Given smartphones offer software to sync calendar, emails and contacts, but run different operating systems, which one will most likely top the charts in terms of market share in 2010 - Apple, BlackBerry, Palm or the Google phone?

From Patrick

The Answer

That is a big question (and I mislaid my crystal ball the other day.) But as far as the business smartphone market goes, I think RIM will continue to dominate that market segment, particularly in North America, in part because of the success the company has had in rolling out BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server) and RIM’s close relationship with network operators.

The consumer smartphone market is tougher to forecast and the distinctions between so-called smartphones and ‘feature phones’ or multimedia-enabled handsets are very blurred.

That said, I would probably rule out Palm in terms of market share because I do not think they have the resources (or the products for the moment) to compete with Apple, RIM or Nokia.

I think RIM, Apple and Google (through Android-based handsets) will all do well. The safe choice, if smartphones are narrowly defined, would be RIM but I am going to stick my neck out and predict Android-based smartphones will capture a similar share of the consumer smartphone market.

Apple’s iPhone will also do well, particularly in the consumer market, but ultimately I think Google’s ‘open’ approach will score over the iPhone’s undoubted easy of use. (Interestingly, Nokia, through its control of the Symbian operating system, is moving in the same direction.)

Taken together, I think RIM and its expanding family of BlackBerry smartphones will  continue to dominate the narrowly-defined combined business/consumer smartphone market.

One final point: I think over the next five years all phones will become ’smartphones’ so we may have  to redefine the term.

The Question
Which videocon equipment and software do you recommend for use with portable notebook computers running Windows XP and Vista?

I am a big fan of your articles. From Joseph Ferrigno

The Answer

I am not quite sure what you mean by ‘videocon’ but assume you are asking about video conferencing software/hardware.

Both Microsoft and Logitech produce excellent video conferencing cameras designed specifically for portable PCs. My personal favourite is probably Logitech’s QuickCam Vision Pro which costs around $130, comes with Carl Zeiss optics  and is designed to clip onto the screen bevel.

In terms of software, you have an expanding choice including some new services like ooVoo which  is free and enables up to six simultaneous users and LightSpeed  which supports high quality full motion video at 30 frames per second.

The Question

No mention of Apple’s “Mobile Me ” in this article (about cloud-based services). Is that an indication of non approval /recommendation?

From Patrick Hickey

The Answer

Neither actually. I think the concept of Mobile Me (an easy way to keep your devices including iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, and PC in sync) is excellent,  but execution so far has been less than superb.

After a rocky debut, my friends who have been using Mobile Me tell me they are still encountering problems following the launch in July.

But as soon as Apple sorts them out, I do plan to write about the service and compare it with other cloud-based synchronisation services that are out there like ‘BeInSynch‘ and SugarSync.

The Question

I am a regular reader of the FT and your column. I was interested in G.ho.st (still am) but worried that the context within which it develops software and serves customers could put users completely at risk because of its privacy policy and terms of service.

This is a trend that we are heading toward in many kinds of cloud services. I’d appreciate your thoughts on this, by addressing it some time in your column.

From Mike

The Answer

Thanks for your email and for drawing my attention to the G.ho.st terms of service. As you note, the privacy policies and terms of service of some internet-based companies and cloud-based service providers are becoming extremely general and broad – G.ho.st seems like a case in point.

This is indeed a worrying trend and unfortunately most users do not read the ‘fine print’ in the privacy statements and ‘terms of service’ so they may not even be aware of what they are signing up to.

Of course, the ultimate sanction against a company that operates an unacceptable privacy policy or has terms of service that appear too wide is to avoid them and publicise the dangers.

I tried to contact the company this week to ask about their privacy policies and discovered that the site is down and the contact number is unavailable so maybe G.ho.st’s founders got the message…..

Interestingly Google recently had to change its privacy policy because of pressure from the European Union and  user complaints and agreed to reduce the length of time that it holds onto search logs from 18 to 9 months.

The Question

I read with interest your very informative article in the FT about speakers. Its timing couldn’t be better as, having rebuilt my flat, I am about to startlooking for a full sound system capable of playing music, and doubling up as surround when watching TV or movies on a home projector.

I will also need two outdoor speakers for which Axiom sounds quite good.

The question I have, as I agree with your statement that choosing speakers is highly personal, is if you know where I could listen to/try out both systems - and especially the Orb system, before buying.

Separately, what places can your recommend in central London that have good listening rooms (Harrods has one but it is currently closed)?

From Steve 

The Answer

Thanks for your email and questions. Since the Orb Audio system is only sold online I am afraid there is no way to “preview” it unless by some chance you know someone with a system already or are visiting New York or Los Angeles where the company does do demos. (More cities are promised.)

Recognising this Orb does offer a 30-day “no-hassle” trial enabling you to send them back if you buy them then decide you do not like them. (Axiom has the same 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee.)

You may however prefer to listen to other mini surround sound systems including those sold by Bose and B&O, which are more readily available in shops in the UK.

In terms of listening rooms in London, there are some good HiFi shops at the Oxford Street end of Tottenham Court Road that still have listening rooms or you can go to an Audio/Visual specialist like The Listening Rooms which has a store at 161 Old Brompton Road, London, SW5 0LJ. Tel  +44 (0)20 7244 7759

The Question

I read your article of August 8 about the Zpen. You mention that it works with several operating systems including the Mac’s. However, when checking the websites of Epos and dane-Elec I notice that Windows is the OS required. Did I miss something on the websites? Could you please confirm?

From Jean-Jacques Degroof

The Answer

Sorry for the confusion. Some but not all the software supplied with the Zpen is compatible with non-Windows operating systems.

Specifically, all digital files captured by the Zpen’s receiver can be viewed in MAC OS X and several Linux operating systems using the Pen and Ink Viewer stored on the receiver itself. However the MyScriptNotes and NoteSearch software is Windows only.

The Question

Towards the end of your recent article about internet security software you recommended several freeware packages.  I was a bit surprised that you did not include Microsoft’s Windows Defender.  Was there a reason? 

From Makoto Honjo 

The Answer

Microsoft’s Windows Defender software (supplied with Vista and available for download for Windows XP with Service Pack 2) is primarily an anti-spyware and popup blocker rather than a full internet security suite. While I think the free security tools from Microsoft, including Windows Defender are better than nothing, I do not think they are as good or effective as the other security tools I mention, at least not at the moment.

I do think however that Microsoft’s Live One Care security service is an interesting model and for some users who want a ’set and forget’ solution may be a good option. Unlike most PC security suites, Live One Care is an online service that runs in the background and is designed especially for busy consumers who want a worry-free computing experience. Live OneCare which just under $50 a year for up to three PCs, helps protect against viruses, worms and other malware and is designed to work alongside Windows Defender.

The latest version includes multi-PC and home network management, printer sharing support, start time optimiser, proactive fixes and recommendations, WiFi security, centralised backup and online photo backup.  Microsoft offers a 90-day free trial.

The Question

A few years ago, after trying every voice-recognition software available (including Dragon), I gave up. I am a writer (currently writing a 100.000 word book) and wanted to use it for drafts only.

Had it worked, it would have made my life a whole lot quicker and easier, but it did not. My diction is excellent (in English, though, not American) but so much came out as gobbledegook, it was impossible for me to use it efficiently.

I read your Financial Times article with interest.  Would the version you describe suit me, I wonder?  Has it really improved that much? 

From Jo Campling  

The Answer

Like you, I have tried using Dragon and other voice recognition packages over the years and ultimately have usually been disappointed with the results.

That said, Dragon Naturally Speaking 9 was a quantum leap forward and the latest version builds on that, so I think you might find it worth taking another look.

I think there are several reasons for the improvement. First, PC systems finally have the processing muscle to handle what is a very demanding task.

Second, without doubt the software is smarter and more efficient.

Third, the noise-cancelling software built into headsets has improved considerably, making it possible to use the software and achieve reasonable accuracy in “real world” environments and not just in quiet laboratory conditions.

(In fact I have just been shown a new Bluetooth wireless headset called the BT200 from a small US company called Andrea Electronics which will be available shortly and is especially impressive. Andrea claims both its wired and wireless headsets, which use technology originally developed for the military, perform much better for voice recognition than the competition, even in noisy environments.)

I still however found it made a difference adjusting the microphone for optimal performance and (unfortunately) spending a bit more than the basic time “teaching” the system which did improve accuracy.

In addition, when Dragon makes a mistake it is easier now to correct it with straightforward voice commands.

Like you, I also have a British English accent but Dragon now supports a much wider range of English accents (and other languages).

I can not promise you that the latest version is perfect, but if you are comparing it with a version two or more years old I think you would notice a big improvement, particularly if you pair the software with a sophisticated noise cancelling headset from Andrea or another good manufacturer.