I Get a Bug, You Get Some Links

I’ve been battling an evil cold for most of the week and, as a Google News search for technology + “common cold” turned up zilch, I’ve elected to offer up a handful of interesting links today. Not very original, I know, but somewhere between Ricola and Zicam I’ve had trouble finding the energy to push the power button. Look for a (hopefully) more inspired post on Saturday next week.

In the meantime, on with the linkage*:

• Podlinez is a mobile/web app for the die-hard podcast fans among us. Just visit the Podlinez website, enter the RSS feed URL of your favorite podcast, and wah-lah, the site serves up a phone number where the podcast can be heard. There are already plenty of podcasts available via Podlinez, and the current “most popular” list includes CNN News Update, NPR: Hourly News Summary Podcast, Fox News Radio, TalkCrunch and … wait for it … PotterCast: THE Harry Potter Podcast.

• PDFHammer.com promises quick and easy editing of PDF files online, without the need for a download. I haven’t taken it for a test drive yet, but the promise alone earns this one a spot in my bookmarks.

• Wordie.org bills itself as “Like Flickr, but without the photos.” In short, Wordie looks like it could quickly become an addiction for a word nerd such as myself. The site allows you and your friends to make lists of words and phrases, identifying words you love, hate or words that relate to any given subject. I’ll probably dig into this one a bit deeper soon, and if it proves to be blog-worthy, you’ll be hearing more about it in the near future.

• Beam It Up Scotty makes it easy to send virtually any file, including images, music and video, to your cell phone in just three steps. Did I mention it’s also free to use?

• BeFunky is another one of those sites certain to provide some time-killing, photo-editing fun. In addition to offering up the ability to “cartoonize” (perhaps the most awesome techno-verb since ‘Googling’) any photo or avatar, the site promises the same feature will soon be available for videos.

And, that’s that. I’m off to mix up one mean over-the-counter cocktail and catch some Z’s. If you still find yourself hungry for linkage, check out the ‘Friends of technotorious’ section over on the right-hand side of the page — there’s plenty of goodness to be found.

*Most of the above links were found thanks to makeuseof.com’s ‘40 Unusual Websites You Should Bookmark’ and ‘40 Unusual Websites You Should Bookmark (2)’, both highly recommended sources of yummy, yummy linkage.

Motorola’s Android Plans: A Giant Leap for Mobile Web?

The buzz surrounding the Oct. 22 release of the first Google/Android-powered mobile phone continues to build, and the latest from BetaNews suggests Motorola has plans to release an Android phone equipped with ”social network friendly” features in early 2009.

For now, the lips of social networking behemoths Facebook and MySpace are sealed, as are Motorola’s, according to BusinessWeek’s Olga Kharif:

Motorola declined to elaborate on its plans, but said in a statement: “We’re excited about the innovation possibilities on Android and look forward to delivering great products in partnership with Google (GOOG)” and the community of developers known as the Open Handset Alliance that are working on the Android operating system.

Though I was admittedly late to the game, I’ve joined the masses in setting up profiles on both Facebook and MySpace over the course of the past several months. However, when it comes to the “mobile web,” which has been identified by many as the next big thing, I’m afraid I’ll be even later to adopt it — if I adopt it at all.

This is the part where I disclose that I do not own a “smart” phone and, quite frankly, I have no desire to own one. A regular ol’ cell phone and a wireless internet connection do the job just fine for me, thanks. Besides, I can’t get used to the idea of surfing around the web or reading e-mail on such a tiny screen. I’m also one of those who has vowed to never, ever watch a movie on an iPod. Call it the “squint factor.”

Still, as someone who works on a college campus, I have to admit that mobile web is here to stay. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t run into a student who is hacking away at a matchbook-sized QWERTY keyboard or sporting a Jetsons-esque new iPhone. As a gadget guy, I’m on board with the cool factor. I won’t argue that “smart” phones aren’t super-sweet, futuristic devices that make me drool just a little.

Technology has changed so rapidly, even within the past three to five years, that a tremendous gap exists not only between generations but between those who were born a mere decade apart. I’m only 10 years or so older than many of the students I encounter but, given my disdain for miniscule screens, I might as well be a dinosaur.

My inner desire to remain hip may eventually force my hand, and I may give in to the crackberry or some other device. Motorola’s plans, it would appear, could seal the deal for the future of mobile web while simultaneously forcing me to squint and bear it.