Monday, March 16, 2009

HP’s Enviro Series of Notebook Batteries, by Boston Power

2 weeks ago Jack Cook (ExperienceMobility.com), Steven Hughes(BostonPocketPC.com) and I went to visit Boston-Power. We had an amazing time there. They showed how the company was made and what their vision is for the future. We first met Christina Lampe-Onnerud and Boston-Power at CntrStg during the CES 2009 in Las Vegas. The news today is that they have their green, longer lasting batteries technology now available to consumers with HP notebooks.



See the full press release below;

"Boston-Power’s longer lasting, Ecolabel-certified battery technology, Sonata, is available to consumer notebook PC customers starting today via HP.

New HP batteries based on Sonata technology are available as accessories for 18 existing notebook models representing approximately 70 percent of HP’s consumer notebook PC portfolio.

In addition to first-of-its-kind environmental certifications, Sonata Li-ion battery cells deliver sustainable performance for three years – three times longer than most other notebook computer batteries. In fact, HP is providing a three-year warranty on the batteries – the first and only notebook computer provider in the industry to offer such a warranty.

Now available at http://www.hpshopping.com/, the new HP battery based on Sonata is available as an accessory priced at $149.99. Later this month, the HP battery will be available as a point-of-sale option for consumers buying new HP notebooks at www.hpshopping.com. The battery’s “drop-in” form factor enables it to be used with existing computers – including models in the HP Pavilion, HP HDX, Compaq Presario and HP G series. A complete list of compatible individual models is available HERE. More information can also be found on Boston-Power’s site at http://www.boston-power.com/enviro .

“From the beginning, our goal has been to help notebook computer users benefit from optimal mobility with dependable, high-performance, environmentally sustainable batteries,” said Boston-Power Founder and CEO Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud. “HP’s endorsement of Sonata is a great step forward in popularizing this battery technology.”

“HP delivers customers innovative products that respect our planet,” said Jonathan Kaye, director of consumer notebooks marketing at HP. “The Enviro Series program gives PC users longer lasting batteries that improve their computing experience while reducing the number of batteries that need to be recycled. That’s a win for everyone.”

Boston-Power is the first and only provider whose rechargeable Li-ion battery cells have earned the prestigious Nordic Ecolabel certification. The company has additionally earned a similar world’s-first certification for its battery cells from the Chinese Environmental Protection Agency. Sonata’s patent-pending, whole-system design makes it capable of benefiting a wide range of end-applications – from consumer electronics to transportation. As a result, total cost of ownership benefits inherent in notebook computer batteries prove increasingly impressive in cases where even greater power is required."

Thursday, March 12, 2009

My experiences with the Pantech Matrix Pro

I have been using the Pantech Matrix Pro from AT&T pretty heavenly in the last few weeks and I am starting to like the phone more and more.

I was a little disappointed about the thickness of the phone but now I have to say that it actually feels right in my hands. The rounded edges makes it feel great and easy to handle the phone.

What I like most about the Smartphone is the reliable input of the keyboard and d-pad compared to a touch screen device. Entering text is great using the on the slide out keyboard or keypad. I spend less time correcting typo's as with a touch screen keyboard. That's a big plus for me.

The 3g connection is pretty constant in my area which indicates to a good internal radio. With maintaining this good 3g connection, it will use less battery power trying to keep finding and connecting to a 3g network over the Edge network. Many people will turn off their 3g connection and fall back on the Edge network to preserve battery life. I didn't have to do this at all.

While in Seattle last week for the summit I went for two days using the phone constantly without recharging the battery. And I mean using it like; exchange server, tinytwitter, 3 imap account synchronizing every 30 minutes, bluetooth on and connected to my TomTom 940 for the carkit functionality. I even used it for internet sharing on my laptop while the Microsoft campus guest wifi went down.

Just one little thing. I have to carry around the Pantech specific cables that only interfaces with the Pantech. I wish they would switch to more of a standard like the Mini USB many devices/external harddrives have.

I will post more experiences soon.

The Pantech Matrix Pro from AT&T is available at a cost of $179,99 with a 2 year contract and a Mail in Rebate.