Snipping Tool in Vista
Posted by ctitanic on 09/30/08 in Windows Vista
Vista includes now tools that were part of Windows Tablet PC Edition and not included in XP. One of them is the Snipping Tool, one of the most useful tools in the Operating System for those like me trying to keep alive a blog.
I like this effort of Microsoft trying to create educational videos that show how to use the new capabilities of Vista. It’s a lot better than going around criticizing other Operating Systems. Show me what you do and I’ll decide if that’s what I need.
ClarionMIND MID
Posted by ctitanic on 09/29/08 in Ultra Mobiles
ClarionMIND is a new MID running Linux using an Intel Atom processor. You can read more about this device at Aving USA.
The ClarionMiND is expected to be available in North America in this November and in Europe market in January, 2009.
And I wonder, would you buy a MID now that the price of some netbooks is really low?
Think Pink, Sony Pink - Support Breast Cancer Research
Posted by Chris Leckness on 09/29/08 in Sony
I have to show my support whenever there is a good cause to support Breast Cancer. This time around, it’s Sony stepping up with 3 cool pink devices. Sony will donate a portion of the sale of the following to support Breast Cancer Research.
Product name: VAIO Pink SR Notebook; Camcorder HDR-TG1; Walkman NWZE436FPNK
Benefit to BCRF: $75 from the sale of each VAIO Pink SR Notebook; $50 from the sale of each Camcorder HDR-TG1; $10 from the sale of each Walkman NWZE436FPNK; up to a maximum of $50,000
Dates product is available: October 2008
If you remember last year, I purchased and gave away a Pink Zune to support the same cause, although a different organization. If you need a new laptop, camcorder, or Walkman and pink is not out of the question, consider these Sony offerings.
Note: This pink laptop is the one that Sony put out for Valentines Day earlier this year.
Source: Popgadget
Winner of the E-Ten Glofiish M810 - geneb
Posted by Chris Leckness on 09/29/08 in Mobilitysite Contests
Congrats to geneb for being selected to receive an E-Ten Glofiish M810 from Mobilitysite.com!
This contest was a tad different than some of our newer contests. I decided to make this one for the forums. If you are reading this via RSS, Mobilitysite has evolved from other sites over the last few years. Aximsite’s forums had over 170k members before it was merged into Mobilitysite. Mobilitysite is a combination of a Blog that was called Mobilitysite, iPaqHQ, and PSPsite.com. So, Mobilitysite’s forums are a mesh of the forums from Aximsite, iPaqHQ, and PSPsite. The forums have some exciting things coming to them in the next few months too.
Anyhow, congrats geneb. Shoot me your details via email please!
Palm Treo Pro Review
Dieter Bohn from WMExperts has put together one terrific review of the NEW Palm Treo Pro that is well worth reading if you have a desire for a great Windows Mobile 6.1 device.
In part, Deiter said:
The Treo Pro is easily Palm’s best Treo yet. It finally hits all of the feature checkmarks that users have been clamoring for and does it in a way that’s well-integrated with the hardware. Where other smartphones have a tendency to just throw hardware onto a device and leave out making it easy to use, the Treo Pro rarely feels awkward.
Just as importantly, the Treo Pro is the first Treo in a long time to sport a thin and sexy form factor compared to other devices on the market. From the packaging to the look to build quality to feature set to battery life, the Treo Pro is a real winner and doesn’t feel like it’s a year behind the smartphone curve.
Take the time to click the link and read what Dieter had to say especially if you are looking for a device that has great build quality, ease of use for one handed operation, some very cool hardware design touches and most importantly some great device specs.
T-Mobile G1 Manual and T-Mobile Backs Down on Data
Posted by Chris Leckness on 09/29/08 in T-Mobile
A couple items about the G1 hit this weekend. One of them is the answer to a problem that I am not even sure if everyone knew about, but T-Mobile was planning on capping 3G data with the G1’s dataplans. Well, if you didn’t know, no biggie. If you did know, you will be happy to know that T-Mobile realized that they were going to take some serious heat if they did. Thanks to Kevin at Jkontherun for reporting that Saul Hansell from the New York Times got word from T-Mobile that the cap was removed…
“We removed the 1GB soft limit from our policy statement, and we are confident that T-Mobile G1 customers will enjoy the high speed of data access over our 3G network. The specific terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are final we will be certain to share this broadly with current customers and potential new customers.”
That’s a good thing for those looking to get their hands on the “Sold Out” T-Mobile G1.
Also, for those interested in looking at the T-Mobile G1, the user manual is online now. TmoNews.com shares the links.
Microsoft has no plans to Build Phones
Posted by Chris Leckness on 09/29/08 in Software
Wait a second, what about the aquisition of Danger? What about the Zune Phone you promised (I am making that up from all the Zune phone rumors)?
Seriously though, as Rocco said over at Pocket PC Thoughts’, “No Surprise”. 60% of you guys agree that Microsoft will never make a phone too.
“Unlike Apple or RIM, which design both their phones and operating system, Microsoft (MSFT) has been taking a different approach for several years — focusing on the OS and letting partners figure out what the gadget will do and where it’ll sell. This is sort of what Google’s doing with Android and its Open Handset Alliance. Despite having its own gadget design teams — which make the Zune and Xbox — Microsoft has ‘no plans to build our own phone,’ says Scott Rockfeld, group product manager for Windows Mobile. ‘Right now we’re happy to share the limelight,’ he adds.”
Personally, I would love to see Microsoft throw a handset out there, but HTC and Samsung are doing a great job making the outdated Windows Mobile run just fine for most of us on their hardware.
Review – Sprite Backup 6.5
Posted by Zealot on 09/28/08 in Mobilitysite Reviews
I have been using Sprite Backup for years now, with by and large excellent results. I have used it on a Palm Tungsten C, a Clie TH-55, an iPaq 2215 and now a Motorola Q, so I have a great deal of experience with the software on a wide variety of devices. In fact I have depending on Sprite backup in a number of dire situations when mission critical professional information has been on the line and it has always come through for me, but that was not quite true in regards to the last version, 6.2. I got burned by 6.2.
After several years of excellent service from Sprite Backup, I ran afoul of a known issue with the Upgrade feature, where a backup could not be restored on a different device without killing wireless, even if they were the same model. As my Q had been drowned and replaced, I assumed that it would be a simple matter of restoring to the new phone from the old MiniSD card, spit spot Bob’s your uncle. It didn’t out work that way, and I had to start my new phone from scratch. I was less then pleased. In fact. for a time I even considered not installing Sprite on my new phone. Therefore, I was very happy when I was invited to see the new version of Sprite Backup, v6.5. The new version includes some interesting new features and a GUI redesign, but also a promised fix for the Upgrade problem.
Thanks to the kind people at Sprite, I got to put it through it’s paces as soon as it was released. Can Sprite Backup regain my confidence and keep it’s place on my device?
SBSH Launch Safewallet for Blackberry!
On September 24th, SBSH announced the launch of their brand new application Safewallet for Blackberry.
Safewallet enables Blackberry Users the same technology that Pocket PC & Smartphone users have enjoyed for years, being able to store various types of information such as: credit cards info, online passwords, bank account info, registration codes, ATM PINs and more! In addition you can create your own card templates for your own custom information!
With Safewallet it uses 256-bit AES encryption, the standard adopted by the U.S. government, along with additional security technologies based on IDF experience, to ensure the safety of your sensitive information in the best possible way!
With the release of Safewallet Pro for BlackBerry, SBSH also released Safewallet for Windows PC as a stand-alone application for users who would like to use Safewallet on their PC without the BlackBerry mobile version.
comScore: Mobile "Search" gaining.
Posted by Jay Donovan on 09/27/08 in Business, Mobile Marketing, Opinion
From Mobile Marketing Magazine
comScore, which specializes in measuring the digital world, has revealed mobile search is gaining in both popularity and frequency of use in the US and Western Europe.
comScore M:Metrics reports that in June 2008, 20.8 million US mobile subscribers and 4.5 million European mobile phone subscribers accessed search during the month, an increase of 68 and 38% from June 2007, respectively. The UK had the highest penetration of mobile subscribers using search at 9.5%, followed closely by the US at 9.2%.
“It is interesting to note that as we see the number of mobile search users increase, the frequency of activity is also growing,” says comScore Analyst, Alistair Hill. “The number of people accessing mobile search at least once a week grew 50% in Europe, with France and Spain leading at a rate of 69 and 63%, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of US users accessing mobile search has more than doubled as a result of expanded 3G penetration and Smartphone adoption, as well as the proliferation of flat-rate data plans. We have also seen a substantial improvement to the mobile search offerings in the US market.”
Google is the preferred brand for browser-based searches with a 60% share of mobile searchers in all countries measured by comScore M:Metrics. Yahoo! ranks second in Germany, Italy, UK and the US. In the US Yahoo’s mobile searcher penetration is 34.6%, more than double its share in most other countries
What these statistics also reveal is that the comfort level with viewing a mobile device as “more than a way to make phone calls” really is gaining traction. With regard to brand marketing, (hey, it’s my day job yo) these new mobile search stats are significant for two reasons:
1. It proves that more consumers are doing search tasks out in the field that were once constrained to their desktop machines, and from a brand viewpoint that could just as likely be product comparisons as it could be looking up word definitions or directions. We know that a major portion of research preceding a brand purchase happens online. Brands that can optimize and reach their savvy users with mobile content on searched demand will have an advantage , especially as the “Power-Users” of today gradually become the average users of tomorrow.
2. With location-based services and software popping up on more and more phones, “Search” is about to get even more granular, more localized, more precise, more useful. These increased numbers justify more development of these kinds of tools and services. Brands that realize this and adapt to this kind of scheme will also have advantages.
WM and Android – Two Great Tastes…
HTC CMO John Wang weighed in today on the question of a conflict of interest for HTC, as it produces both a multitude of high end Windows Mobile phones and the new G1 Android phone.
Wang not only sees no conflict between Windows Mobile and Android but says the two are actually complimentary systems.
Windows Mobile and Android handsets form separate ecosystems with their own merits and advantages. The former provide users with high performance, interoperability and a large library of applications, while the later give handset design companies and developers more flexibility.
Wang also disagreed with the popular wisdom that the key to Android’s success will be it’s open source nature, saying that Linux and LinMo based phones have been available for some time and did not make even a ripple on the market. Rather he feels that Android’s “innovation” and deep connection to the internet (and thusly Google) will be the keys for the OS.
As to the future, he says that HTC will continue developing devices for both operating systems, but that Windows Mobile will continue to be their bread and butter.
My general feeling from seeing what Wang has to say is that despite all the hoopla, HTC is viewing Android users as a niche market for the time being. Personally I hope to see more high-concept phones using Android from HTC as the OS matures. Really innovative designs that make the most of different flavors of the open source operating system, perhaps some custom builds for specific uses. If the OS really is totally open and unstructured, why use it to make still more ”iPhone and BlackBerry Killers”? It is true that Android could have a lot going for it if it catches fire with Third Party app developers, and Apple of late seems to be doing it’s damndest to help them out in that respect. Despite the failings of the G1, this is just the start for Android.
However, the next game changer on the horizon in my opinion will be Microsoft’s leaked development of an Application Store type feature. While they are entering that area quite late in the game, I don’t think anyone can say that either iPhone or Android supports even a fraction of the applications that WM does. I mean, what percentage of iPhone apps have little or no use beyond being ways to show off your iPhone to your prom date? Eighty percent maybe? Virtual cigarette lighters, Facebook frontends, “Talk like a Pirate” translators…give me a break please. Once the wealth of mature, useful applications that are supported by Windows Mobile can be easily downloaded onto a phone from a single online source, I feel perceptions about WM and it’s role in the business world will improve.
With WM making business and productivity software easier to download and install while being closely linked into enterprise networks, and Android opening the doors to more open source innovation while functioning in Google’s new Cloud, they may very well prove to be a one-two punch for HTC…and for phone users.
Dual Boot phones, anyone?
(Source - Digitimes)
A Special Offer from Celio
Posted by Jack Cook on 09/27/08 in Accessories
Were you ever in a situation with your device that you wished you had a larger screen and keyboard? I have been countless times as I was trying to work on a document. Celio Corporation, makers of the REDFLY have a special “seeding program” where you can get the RedFly at 50% off the MRSP of $399 for a limited time.
So why the BIG discount? Celio Corp has found that a REDFLY Mobile Companion device in the hands of media, developers or mobile enthusiasts has a tremendous viral marketing benefit. So they decided to offer a a limited amount of REDFLY devices for placement in this special marketing seed program at $199 until October 31, 2008.
This is a great deal if you want an extension to your device to allow you to edit, view documents and surf the web using a larger screen. I liked my experience with the REDFLY and truly believed that it allowed me to Extend the Possibilities.
For a very limited time, Celio is offering the REDFLY for $199. Click this link, REDFLY , to check it out.
Photoshop.com for Windows Mobile. Why now?
Posted by Jay Donovan on 09/26/08 in General, Photo Sharing, Software
Tip from Modaco
I just ran a tweet about this but then thought I should expand on it. Adobe just released Photoshop for mobile beta, along with acompanying website for sharing photos.
My first thoughts are: “COOOOOOL!”
My second thoughts are: “Why now?”
I mean, there are so many photo-sharing apps out there already, that it seems awful late in the game for this kind of thing. But still… it’s Adobe, one of the most successful, trail-blazing companies out there. I’m sure they thought about this and did some research. I mean come on, they developed and maintain one of the most significant software applications of all time. Why not try to add services to extend it?
Initially, it looks like you get 2GB of space for public and private galleries. Also it has an auto upload feature that can happen right after you take a picture with your phone. So, you can in theory, use their server to upload and store your images and then delete them from your phone immediately, and this is compelling. I assume they will upload the full res image. (One of the big beefs I always had with a similar service at Dashwire is that they reformatted the images and the stored ones were not at the same resolution as the original). Hopefully, Adobe has thought about this.
If nothing else, photoshop.com is a pretty sweet Adobe Flex application. I am eager to use it to see how well it works.
More to come…
Any volunteer?
Any volunteer willing to lend a Tablet PC for this test? I’m bringing the hammer!
The real PC
My friend Rob from Gottabemobile found this video that shows the real PC guy, Sean Siler.
Oh, if anyone has any doubt, Ctitanic is a PC!
