Jeff S Thanks for your continued info on mobile technology. With a Centro, or other similar phones like a Treo, is there a way to feed a remote display? I'm thinking of using the smartphone as you describe but when at the helm, use the phone to feed a larger screen. I currently have a Treo 700 but could switch for the 'right' phone. Ed

> With a Centro, or other similar phones like a Treo, is > there a way to feed a remote display? You know, I've never seen this type of live screen sharing with Palm. When I did a seminar at a TrawlerFest a few years ago (about these mobile devices on trawlers) I used an Elmo to display the Palm. Elmo's are video cameras built into an adjustable lighting base to give good results for things like this. Then I just re-projected the video. It's a different story for Windows Mobile (WM). There is free software from Microsoft (ActiveSync Remove Display - part of their developer "Power Toys") that will display the interactive contents of a connected WM device on a PC. Then also for WM, there's a new device coming out - you can't buy it yet. It's called RedFly - the info about it is here: http://celiocorp.com/ You attach your WM phone to a RedFly and RedFly re-configures the screen to a much larger 800x480 screen with a real keyboard. It doesn't just enlarge the screen - it actually adds more pixels to the display (I'm working on that support right now for ActiveCaptain Mobile). The Windows Mobile operating system allows this on-the-fly type of screen reconfiguration. RedFly also has a very large battery and keeps the phone powered. I'm really interested in this new device although their projected price is too high right now ($500). But heck, it isn't even shipping yet and we all know that prices for this type of thing drop. This all fits into the basic idea that Palm devices are simpler. That makes them easier to use. WM devices are more complex but that gives them more capabilities. If you're a power-user, WM is probably the better platform. If you've never had a smartphone, Palm will probably be better. To be honest, I love the small phone sitting in its cradle next to my helm. It allows me to grab it and take it with me without disconnecting anything. The screen is small and I'm up to 2.0 reading glasses - but honestly have no problems seeing it. This can all get to be too much too. Check out this picture - it's real - and you'll see why all of this stuff drives my wife crazy! http://www.activemap.com/images/myhelm.jpg ================================== Jeffrey Siegel M/V aCappella DeFever 53PH W1ACA/WDB4350 Castine, Maine www.activecaptain.com Content, Communications, Community ..