Gizmodo: am

Hands-On Google Talk for iPhone (Verdict: Stick with Installer.app)

Benny Goldman — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Google's brand new Gtalk webapp for the iPhone is as crappy as I expected it would be. It has a nice design, and sending messages was easy, but at the end of the day it's still running in Safari—which means if you get a call you are signed out of chat. And unlike other web-based IM apps, Gtalk doesn't work in the background, so interruptions as simple as going to the home screen sign you out too. Also, there are no preference settings, so you are stuck looking at your whole contact list, online and off. Gtalk's AIM support is also curiously absent from this release. In short, this program sucks. If you're looking for a solid IM solution before the App store opens, I strongly recommend Agile Mobile's AM client recently released on Installer, which I've been playing around with.

AM is extremely easy to set up and has lots of options so you can choose which contacts you see. It supports Gtalk and AIM protocols in addition to ICQ, MSN, Yahoo and Jabber. AM even logs your IM sessions so you can refer back to old conversations. But best of all, it keeps your IM conversations going, even when you are on a call or out of the program, and sends Mail style notifications alerting you to how many IMs came your way while you were gone. All in all, an extremely good experience for IMing on the go, so jailbreak if you haven't yet, and install this puppy. [Google via Lifehacker]

Trail Tune Carabiner Radio Clips on Just About Anywhere

AddyDugdale — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 07:05:01 EDT

Climbers and hikers among you will be interested in this carabiner-shaped AM-FM radio from Trail Tune. It's water-resistant can be attached to just about anything—although I advise against clipping it to any piercing rings, as it might be a bit painful, unless you're one of those magicians who can pull entire trains along by his Prince Albert—and if you are, I think I might have seen you on YouTube recently. Quick question: Did it go back to its original shape, or are you going to be stuck with it like that for the rest of your life?

Battery time (two AAAs, please) is 15 hours and you can preset 20 FM and 10 AM stations. It self-activates sleep mode and can remember the last station you tuned in to. All that for $50. [Uber-Review]

Dr. Who Cyberman Shower Radio Picks Up FM/AM/Invasion Orders

kevinhall2 — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:30:00 EDT

Show your support for the intergalactic robotic conquerers with the Dr. Who Cyberman Shower Radio. Not only will it observe you with its cold, black sockets, the Cyberman Radio receives FM/AM stations and its mouth glows when you tune around. Its about six inches tall, has a hanging cord, and requires three AAA batteries to get going. Still, for 30 bucks, you'd think the thing could at least threaten your future as an organic being or radio a fleet of orbiting Cybermen warships. [Voga via UberReview]