Join me at CNTRSTG during CES 2009

Ok, I do this every year, but last year I didn’t give in. During the entire calendar year leading up to a CES event, I tell friends and colleagues that I won’t be attending the upcoming CES. I plan to stay home. Last year, I actually followed through, this year… I have already caved. In the past it’s been “really” last minute when I have changed my mind, this year, I’ve given myself enough time to get a cheap flight and a good hotel room.

Anyhow, that said, I am going to be in Las Vegas for CES from Jan. 7th to Jan. 11th 2009. If you’d be interested in catching up with me, shoot me an email. Jack Cook will be in attendance as well. In addition, you can also catch us both at CNTRSTG. CNTRSTG is a blogger lounge designed to promote focused discussions and improved communication on the topics that matter most to both bloggers and technology companies. It is put on by some of my friends, Steven Hughes, Mike Temporale, Johan van Mierlo, and Eric Hicks. The event will be sponsored by HP and looks to be a great success. I am proud to help these guys out some during CES.

Jack and I would love to meet you, so get scheduled to meet up. CES is fast and wild, so time fills up fast. If you are a blogger that plans to be in attendance, make sure to sign up for CNTRSTG.

CntrStg at CES 2009

CntrStg at CES 2009 Facilitates Face-to-Face Meetings and Improves Communication Between Companies and Influential Bloggers

The 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, marks the launch of CntrStg, (www.cntrstg.com, pronounced “CenterStage”), an independent blogger lounge designed to promote focused discussions and improved communication on the topics that matter most to both bloggers and technology companies. Not only will CntrStg be the single place for bloggers and corporations to meet face-to-face during CES 2009, it is expected to become a standard feature of all large industry events and tradeshows.

Founded by 15-year veteran blogger Steven Hughes, and fellow online community leaders, Eric Hicks, Mike Temporale and Johan van Mierlo, CntrStg is a proactive, community-led effort that strives to match up influential bloggers with representatives of products and companies in order to drive meaningful interaction, discussion and word-of-mouth referral. CntrStg actively represents the wants and needs of bloggers, allowing them to better interact with companies, their products and associated messages.  CntrStg also provides a centralized, controlled environment for companies and product managers to share their message with interested and engaged audiences through direct, meaningful interaction.

More after the break

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CTIA 2008 - Lots of Windows Mobile News Incoming!

For the 2nd show in a row, I have decided not to attend. This is the time where I start to regret that choice. I do so much love checking out all that is coming and all that is announced at the CTIA shows. CTIA was made for me. Ok, enough of my sadness to bring you down, let’s talk CTIA. Since we are not there, I decided that I will let the other folks here at Mobilitysite post the tidbits that they think are share-worthy and I will share some snips too. Then I will take a create a one stop guide for each major device announced, fondled, and such with links to hands on videos and photos from my friends and colleagues that are in attendance.

Just as a teaser, check out Engadget’s Hands on with the Sprint version of the Touch Diamond.

Will you be around Orlando, FL this Weekend?

If you are in any way interested in Development for Windows and Windows Mobile devices then you are invited to attend a FREE event Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend event is called Microsoft Community Summit 2008 or ]InBetween[ or Tweener (?!?!). The whole event is FREE. This event involves several minor events held during the weekend in between the TechEd Developer (happening this coming week) and the TechEd IT Professionals (the following week). It is a group of events organized by the Florida user group communities in the Orlando Convention Center.  It will have Sessions, .Net University, Open Space, Certification, Exam Cram, Train The Trainer, SQL University, SQL Saturday, Visual Studio U events.

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What do you think of Windows Mobile 6.1 So Far?

Right, I know that not many have devices in their hands with 6.1, but you’ve seen the screenies and videos. What do you think from what you’ve seen so far?

Taking up for Microsoft a bit here… Those that expected a dot release to be a full blown OS revamp to  “compete” with new operating systems out there, understand that WM 6.1 for the most part was developed before some of these new operating systems were publicly available. I am pretty sure about this at least. I don’t see how Microsoft could scrap a pending update such as 6.1 and start over just because someone came out with something different. If I sound like an apologist with this, I am. Some of the reports I’ve seen out of CTIA seem to show disappointment in this offering. Maybe Microsoft should speed up their process of development? Maybe.

Across the board in Windows Mobile 6.1, I don’t see much change that will affect the way I do business. So I am going with a C here.

Who is Velocity Mobile? Windows Mobile Phone Maker?

So, we have a new comer to the Windows Mobile phone market. Yeah! I like it. I can’t wait to see what other companies can do. Maybe become the next HTC? Engadget Mobile said it pretty nice about Velocity Mobile…

Riding the Windows Mobile 6.1 wave at CTIA, new player Velocity Mobile officially came out of stealth mode today to reveal its very first two devices: the creatively-named “103″ and “111.”

Check out these photos of the two offerings from this new company. (yes, click em for bigger views)

The “103″ is on the left and the “111″ is on the right.  The 103 is expected in Q2 and the 111 in Q3. They have very similar specs despite the different styles and looks. The 111 is looking quite Moto Qish right now.

Read on for more info about these new devices. You can also check out the press release here.

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Verizon Updates 5 Phones

Gizmodo has their usual spin on what would be good news from Verizon Wireless at CTIA. It can be summed up in one picture that they created…

• HTC Touch (VX6900) - Added to the the Verizon line up. Previously, Sprint users could enjoy this model, now Verizon gets their turn.
• BlackBerry Curve 8330 - Verizon Wireless’ high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized.
• Samsung Alias - I don’t know much about this one, but Giz said it’s slimmed, i’ll believe that.
• MOTO Q9c - Gps in all black.
• LG enV2 - A new, updated LG enV. I enjoyed playing with the enV at CTIA last year.

To read the press releases accompanying these announcements, head over to Gizmodo.

Cricket Brings the Declaration of Independence to CTIA Wireless 2008

Underscoring the growing importance of technology and mobile communications in the 2008 election process, Cricket Communications, Inc.,  today announced that the company is showcasing the United States Declaration of Independence next week at CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Attendees at CTIA Wireless 2008 will be able to view and take photographs of the Declaration of Independence in Hall C2 near the VIP and registration areas on April 1, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Declaration is an official copy that belongs to television legend Norman Lear and is part of the Cricket-sponsored Declare Yourself campaign. Founded by Lear, Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit youth voter initiative aimed at empowering and encouraging America’s 18-year-olds to register and vote in the 2008 primaries and general election.

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CallWave to demo FUZE at CTIA Wireless 2008

CTIA Attendees Can Preview FUZE from CallWave, An Easy-to-Use, Personalized Communication Service for the Mobile Professional

CallWave, Inc., a leading provider of Internet-based telephony applications and services that integrate mobile phones and computing, announced today that it will demo FUZE, an easy-to-use, personalized communication service for today’s mobile professional, at the CallWave booth # 808 at CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas, April 1-3. CTIA attendees are encouraged to stop by and see first hand how FUZE lets users communicate and collaborate in any way, from anywhere, from a computer or mobile phone.

What is FUZE? Keep reading after the break!

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CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Showcases Mobile Lifestyle Innovations

Exhibits and Conference Tracks Featuring 4G Innovations, Emerging Technologies, Green Business Practices and the Mobile Lifestyle to Attract More than 40,000 Attendees from 125 Countries

CTIA WIRELESS 2008, the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, will welcome more than 40,000 attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 1-3. The international show will feature more than 1,200 exhibitors showcasing offerings that span the device, infrastructure, enabling technology, entertainment and business application sectors. CTIA attendees from more than 125 countries will experience the evolution of wireless technologies – and what that means for subscribers – throughout the show, from panel discussions to exhibits.

Keynote speakers will include mobile operator CEOs Arun Sarin of Vodafone, Lowell McAdam of Verizon Wireless and Dan Hesse of Sprint Nextel, as well as Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of Virgin Group; Marco Boerries, president of Yahoo! Mobile; Robert Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division; and chief executives from Alcatel Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Nortel.

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CTIA Wireless 2008 Infrastructure Roundtable to Feature Industry Leaders Discussing the Path to 4G

The international CTIA WIRELESS 2008 tradeshow, the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, today announced the participants and agenda for its Infrastructure Roundtable, scheduled to take place Tuesday morning, April 2 in the Barron Room at the Las Vegas Hilton. CEOs from Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Nortel will discuss real-world plans and technology developments hastening the availability of 4G services for mobile subscribers.

The roundtable discussion will feature the following executives:

• Patricia Russo, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent;
• Carl-Henric Svanberg, CEO, Ericsson;
• Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO, Nokia Siemens Networks;
• Mike Zafirovski, CEO, Nortel

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CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Answers the Call for Wireline Convergence

Alliance with IEC Brings Emphasis on Fixed Mobile Convergence to the International CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Trade Show

CTIA WIRELESS 2008, the premiere global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, today announced an alliance with the International Engineering Consortium (IEC) to bring a greater focus on fixed mobile convergence to the CTIA Educational Program. The IEC will host its first panel at the International CTIA WIRELESS 2008 event, which takes place April 1-3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The IEC has developed high-level programs for the communications industry at SUPERCOMM (now NXTcomm) for a number of years. The IEC will now bring its expertise to CTIA WIRELESS with a panel of industry leading technology officers from top international service providers in Europe and Asia.

“CTIA will continue to provide a home, platform and venue for the wireline community,” said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director of CTIA WIRELESS. “Our alliance with the IEC represents the migration to a new way of communicating as the wireless, telecom, Internet and cable industries converge. The International CTIA WIRELESS event is one of the few shows to bring these industries together for true convergence and change.”

During the IEC panel at CTIA WIRELESS, leading global CTOs will tackle issues surrounding the convergence of fixed and mobile networks and the implications this convergence has for traditional operators, specialized carriers, equipment vendors, application developers and content providers.

“Operators are looking for ways to maximize the wireline business and capitalize on the opportunities in wireless,” commented IEC Vice President of Conference Development Tom Costello. “We have served the telecommunications industry since 1944 and we feel that CTIA is one of the most ideal places to bridge these audiences and to share the ideas and insights of key international carrier executives. We look forward to bringing some of the IEC’s world-class education to CTIA.”

The 90-minute fixed mobile convergence session developed by IEC will take place Wednesday, April 2^nd, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Speakers will soon be announced. For more information visit http://www.ctiawireless.com/events/event_details.cfm?calID=676.

Source: CTIA Wireless press release

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Makes the Desert Green

Attendees at Las Vegas Event to Enjoy Opportunities to Protect the Environment, Reduce Carbon Footprint

CTIA WIRELESS, the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, is doing its part to reduce waste and promote green business practices with its new eco-friendly initiatives.

As part of CTIA’s overall commitment to the environment, this Spring’s tradeshow, to be held in Las Vegas April 1 – 3, will include a number of opportunities for attendees to do their part. Programs will include:

• Ways to Recycle Your Retired Phones—Attendees can bring their retired cell phones and accessories to CTIA WIRELESS 2008 for recycling, and support the CALL TO PROTECT program. Wireless phones donated to the program are refurbished and sold to raise funds for domestic violence organizations. Phone recycling stations will be located throughout the convention center. Attendees will also be able to take a postage-paid envelope home to send retired phones for recycling, at no cost.
• Recycling Bins for Badges—CTIA reduced its three-part badge (paper badge, plastic e-Business card and badge holder) to a single recyclable badge. At the end of their visit, attendees will be able to recycle their badges in specially marked bins located throughout the convention center.
• Paper, Plastic and Glass Recycling—CTIA is working with the Las Vegas Convention Center to ensure that paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, wood and aluminum products as well as carpet padding are being sorted and recycled.

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MWC: Global Mobile World Awards 2008 announced

Mobile World Congress 2008 is over and the winners of the Global Mobile World Awards 2008 have been announced.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Continue reading for a full listing:

 

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MWC: Windows Mobile 6 Wins Big

In Barcelona, Spain, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6 was named “Best Mobile Enterprise Product or Service” at the 13th Annual GSMA Global Mobile Awards.

Judges for the GSMA commented, “A leading platform for business owing to the ease of integration with Microsoft Exchange infrastructure. For the SMB market in particular, Windows Mobile 6 is an attractive proposition.”

To extend its mobile services to a broader consumer audience and raise awareness of Windows Mobile 6, Microsoft made a series of announcements at the 2008 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week, including a new partnership with Sony Ericsson, one of the world’s top mobile phone makers, and an agreement to acquire Danger, a popular software and mobile services company.

Source: Gloibal Mobile Awards 2008