Use Your Camera Phone as a Scanner - COMOMBO

Software firm COMOMBO (www.comombo.com) has released Freeware that enables you to turn your camera phone into a scanner/fax/copier. Basically, take a picture of a document with your cell phone, and then you have a 'scanned' image you can send to yourself, a 'copy' of a document, and a chance to FAX or EMAIL your scanned docs to someone, right from your phone. The COMOMBO software does a bit of post processing (I think!), so it turns the picture into a document similar in quality to a faxed document.

Very interesting idea, there have been times that I wanted this functionality in a pinch, like when you want to take a snapshot of a whiteboard that is about to be erased (and you cannot afford the cool whiteboards that electronically copy everything you write on it).

I am using a Samsung Blade cell phone (A900) on Sprint. The software is FREE for now.

I had to register an account first, and wait for an email. I would rather simply be able to download the application without waiting...I am sure they will lose people downloading the app during this process. I want INSTANT gratification...and while waiting for the email, I might forget to follow up and lost interest (which I almost did as three emails arrived while waiting for COMOMBO and I got sidetracked).

Ok, I am activated now, and back on the site. After activating, then logging in, I am directed back to the page with the three product offerings. The natural thing to do was click the 'Freeware' button, but that takes me back to registering?? Then I notice in the top navigation a 'download' link. Aha, maybe I need to go here. Note to COMOMBO, make it STUPID SIMPLE for your users to get your products.

At the download page, I can choose to have the software go to my PC, or type the URL directly into my phone, or have a SMS sent to me with the address.

I choose option 3, having a SMS sent to me. I am going thru the process, and I discover that only Nokia and SonyEricsson phones work. My Samsung Blade wont make the cut...well, I happen to have a SE z520. But, this phone is not listed. I choose the z610i, hoping it will work on my phone.

Text message is sent. COMOMBO doesnt seem to use a top notch SMS aggregator, as the SMS does not come in the first minute. SMS did not arrive within 10 minutes, so I am going to go right to the URL using my cell phone.

Again, no z520 listed, I select the z610i link and download the application (194kb). Application installs, but doesnt work. And, I realize the z520 has a crappy camera! Now I try with the Blade, even though its not supported. I chose the Nokia:E65 link and it failed. Tried the E70 next, and it too failed. Trying a SE link, model K550i link. Failed.

Basically, I am not able to try the software :^(. Hopefully I will get an email from them when my devices are supported.

Recommendations:
1. support more phones
2. auto detect phone make/model on WAP site

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[Source: Mobile Phone Blog]