SAN FRANCISCO--This may come as a surprise to those of us who have been using fully featured, multimedia-capable smartphones for a while now, but the idea of connecting one's cell phone to a computer isn't entirely natural for many consumers. At least, that's what SanDisk is banking on with its Media Manager pack, which the company showed off during MobileFocus at CTIA Fall 2010.

Although the term Media Manager may automatically associate with software in your mind (and you're not wrong), there's a reason I call it a pack. The product, which will be sold in AT&T retail locations, includes a a USB reader, an SD adapter, and a microSDHC card--in your choice of 16GB and 32GB--preloaded with the Media Manager app. What's really nice about this setup is that it doesn't require you to actually install any software on your PC, as you can run the program directly from the microSD card (though SanDisk does recommend installation in case the app gets accidentally erased). It also means that there's no need to connect your phone to your computer, since media is transferred directly to the card.

The objective of SanDisk Media Manager is to make it exceptionally easy to get music and photos off of your computer and onto your phone (and vice versa, in some cases). Rather than having to deal with the often clunky software required by many mobiles, you simply plug in the USB reader with the microSD card inserted and the preloaded app will search selected folders on your hard drive for compatible media.

Upon first connecting the product, it will prompt you to select from a list of supported devices. All of the major brands are represented, though the number of phones is relatively limited given the vast array of devices on the market--we counted 67 in all. (Though that may seem like a lot, there does seem to be a leaning toward some older models, which makes sense given the fact that the corresponding software was even worse before now.) Still, even if your phone isn't represented on the list, selecting a model with similar specs by the same manufacturer seems to work well. Or you can elect to not optimize your card, which means any content selected will be transferred "as is."

I gave SanDisk Media Manager a test spin and was not disappointed by the results. It's a bit slow, though this could be because I ran it directly from the card. However, it is exceptionally simple to use, and I think that's the main point. The interface is clean, with straightforward language that most newbies should be able to grasp.

Music files transferred to an old Samsung Blackjack played without a hitch, whereas some photo types had problems. Of course, as this isn't a technically supported device, I can't fault SanDisk much. I'm a bit disappointed to note that video is not handled by the software, since that's one of the more difficult media types to work with. But--again--considering the market, we're probably looking at phones that aren't made for video anyway.

One final note: despite the fact that SanDisk is rolling this out with an AT&T partnership, the product compatibility is not limited to AT&T devices.

Originally posted at CTIA 2010

Remember the good old days when MTV was all about music videos and shows that were actually about music? Sadly, reality television has put an end to all that, but if you use Google TV, you can now reclaim that experience with a little help from Vevo.

Just prior to the CTIA Fall 2010 show, Vevo announced an enhanced user interface for the Google TV platform. So rather than simply searching for music videos through the onscreen browser, Vevo will deliver a customized wrapper designed to mimic the classic cable TV surfing experience, right down to working with the directional pad on your remote control.

The new interface gives you access to all of Vevo's licensed content, which includes popular music videos from EMI, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment. In addition, the service has its own original content--delivered via channels--that focuses on artists and the music they create. Sounds familiar, no?

Originally posted at Webware

Ever since tearing through the 15 new Angry Birds levels released last week (which took all of about 20 minutes), I've been in a bit of a funk.

I mean, let's face it, once you've finished the game, there's little appeal in flinging the same birds at the same pigs. And new levels are too few and far between.

Where's the next pig thing? (Sorry, next big thing.) Where's the clever new game that can satisfy my craving for cutesy characters and whimsical, physics-oriented action? Where is the successor to Angry Birds?

It's right here: Chillingo's Cut the Rope. Like Angry Birds, it has a weird, rather unexciting premise. Like Angry Birds, it's incredibly easy to learn. And, like Angry Birds, it's impossible to stop once you start.

It goes like this: a cute little green monster, Om Nom, wants candy. The candy is attached to a series of ropes you slice with your finger. To complete a level, you need to figure out which ropes to cut, and when, to swing the candy into his mouth--collecting as many stars as possible in the process.

Guys, you had me at "Om Nom."

As you progress, the levels get more challenging with the addition of various tools and obstacles. For example, there are bubbles that make the candy float, air cushions that blow the candy along a desired trajectory, and so on.

Although the core gameplay mechanics have nothing in common with Angry Birds, there's a lot about Cut the Rope that's similar. Levels are grouped together in locked sets, and with each level you complete, you're awarded 1 to 3 stars. And let's not forget the colorful, cartoonish graphics and sound effects.

The game supports both Crystal and Game Center for online leaderboards and achievement tracking. It's priced at 99 cents for the iPhone/iPod version and $1.99 for iPad HD.

Time will tell if Cut the Rope can really challenge Angry Birds for App Store supremacy. I think it stands the best chance of any game I've played to date. Your thoughts? Have you found a "slicing" game you like better?

Originally posted at iPhone Atlas

SAN FRANCISCO--By many estimates, texting while driving is unsafe, which explains why 30 states currently have laws on the books restricting the act. And yet data suggests that those laws do nothing to actually prevent users from testing while driving.

That's where Vlingo comes in. The service is aiming to keep users' hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with its new InCar feature for Android. The functionality, which will be available exclusively on Sprint handsets through the end of the year, adds a read-back feature for texts messages. So now you can not only speak texts through Vlingo, but it will also read the replies out loud.

In addition, Vlingo has integrated Google Maps so that you can get directions without ever having to touch or look at your phone. The service has also thrown in an extra feature, dubbed Vlingo Answers, that lets you speak a question (such as "what is a good French wine?") and then receive an answer back aloud. (During the demo, it was pretty amusing to hear the app try to pronounce French words, but it did an admirable job.)

Since this is an audio-only feature, the image here doesn't do it a lot of justice. Luckily, Vlingo has posted a video that nicely-illustrates the InCar functionality. Check it out below.

Originally posted at CTIA 2010