Sunday, February 26, 2006
The Mobile Malware Researchers Association (MARA) has discovered a new form of Malware, that can infect your handheld device through your desktop PC.
"MARA today announced that it has characterized the first malware to cross-infect a handheld phone or PDA from a binary on the desktop PC. The malware, a Trojan dubbed crossover that spreads from a Win32 desktop machine to a Windows Mobile Pocket PC handheld"
This is a "proof of concept" virus, but it does identify that handhelds are open to these viruses, not only through there own network connections, but also through transfer with a connected desktop PC. Click the link below to read the whole story.
"MARA today announced that it has characterized the first malware to cross-infect a handheld phone or PDA from a binary on the desktop PC. The malware, a Trojan dubbed crossover that spreads from a Win32 desktop machine to a Windows Mobile Pocket PC handheld"
This is a "proof of concept" virus, but it does identify that handhelds are open to these viruses, not only through there own network connections, but also through transfer with a connected desktop PC. Click the link below to read the whole story.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
The fine folks that have brought us great Pocket PC programs such as Pocket Informant, have released a new freeware application called "Berry 411".
"Berry 411 gives you instant access to yellow pages, white pages, Google, movie times, weather, encyclopedia, and Froogle results. The results are formatted to fit the screen"
Also, two very important notes on this program. One is that it requires the Microsoft Compact Framework to run, and the other is that it is currently only available for Windows Mobile 5 devices. You can get links both to the compact framework as well as to the download of the program by clicking on the link below.
"Berry 411 gives you instant access to yellow pages, white pages, Google, movie times, weather, encyclopedia, and Froogle results. The results are formatted to fit the screen"
Also, two very important notes on this program. One is that it requires the Microsoft Compact Framework to run, and the other is that it is currently only available for Windows Mobile 5 devices. You can get links both to the compact framework as well as to the download of the program by clicking on the link below.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
If you haven't already heard, Engadget has launched a new site, called Engadget Mobile, that will focus strictly on cell phones and handheld devices. As part of the site launch, they are giving away a new device each day for the first thirty days, and there are some real goodies in store this week.
"Ah yes, day 10 of Engadget Mobile's 30 days of cellphone giveaways! Last week we gave away seven Palm Treo 650s or 700ws, but we figured we'd up the ante on the choose-your-own QWERTY smartphone this weeek. That's right, we're giving you your choice of a Verizon XV6700, Cingular 8125, Sprint PPC-6700, or T-Mobile MDA."
These are some red hot devices, so head on over to check out the new site, and enter the contest while you are there. You never know, you could be a winner!
In this interesting article posted under Windows Mobile tips and tricks from microsoft.com, Jason Dunn explores the various ways to get great podcast content on your Windows Mobile device.
"If you see a term "somethingcast", odds are good that it's some form of audio or video content that you can subscribe to and get on a regular basis. For the purpose of this article, I'm going to use the term podcast to mean any form of audio or video content that you want to put on your Windows Mobile powered device."
This is actually the second great article that I have read from Jason this week. I may post on the other one shortly, but for the time being click the link below to read the full article on the Microsoft web site.
"If you see a term "somethingcast", odds are good that it's some form of audio or video content that you can subscribe to and get on a regular basis. For the purpose of this article, I'm going to use the term podcast to mean any form of audio or video content that you want to put on your Windows Mobile powered device."
This is actually the second great article that I have read from Jason this week. I may post on the other one shortly, but for the time being click the link below to read the full article on the Microsoft web site.
Monday, February 20, 2006
In the category of "you know you have too much time on your hands when...", check out this article about a guy who got his Roomba (that's right the vacuum) hooked up to his Ipaq Pocket PC.
"I hacked my own firmware into the Roomba the very Saturday morning the announcement about the SCI came out on Slashdot, but, well, you know, them's the breaks. I've since written a player driver for the thing I'm about to release, and I've got some nifty peripherals up and running...currently controlled by an iPaq running linux and a player server, and my next step is to build a swarm.
I am not sure what is worse, the fact that this guy took the time to do this, or the fact that I found it interesting enough to post on this site. Click the link below for the picture.
"I hacked my own firmware into the Roomba the very Saturday morning the announcement about the SCI came out on Slashdot, but, well, you know, them's the breaks. I've since written a player driver for the thing I'm about to release, and I've got some nifty peripherals up and running...currently controlled by an iPaq running linux and a player server, and my next step is to build a swarm.
I am not sure what is worse, the fact that this guy took the time to do this, or the fact that I found it interesting enough to post on this site. Click the link below for the picture.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Looks like another update to the ongoing Minimo project has been released. If you are not familiar with Minimo (Mini Mozillla), it is a handheld version of the popular Mozilla browser. Minimo 013 has addressed the following issues with this latest release;
- New UI
- HomeBase sidebar
- Initial download support landed
- Better Windows Mobile SP 5.0 support
- Lots of bug fixes.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Bitstream has announced the release of ThunderHawk for Windows Mobile 5.0. The program offers a secure desktop browsing experience that integrates with the new Windows Mobile 5.0 technology. Some key features of the new Thunderhawk are;
A 30 day trial version of the new program is available by visiting the link here. To read the full press release please click on the link below.
- Increased speed. ThunderHawk client/server technology, in addition to Windows Mobile 5.0 3G and Wi-Fi support, provides the fastest browsing experience available on the wireless Web.
- Improved integration and user options. Windows Mobile 5.0 users are able to delete browser "History" of Web pages visited, and can launch the camera application with the applicable device button without suspending ThunderHawk.
- Desktop-level Java support. Java 1.5.0 capabilities enables ThunderHawk users to run powerful Java applets and the applets will behave on the Windows Mobile 5.0 mobile Pocket PC just as they do on the desktop.
- Zooming capabilities. Adjust Web page resolution according to your preference, for low (480x360), medium (640x480) or high (800x600) resolution viewing with minimal scrolling.
- Seamless connectivity. With ThunderHawk Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Edition, a dropped connection is re-established immediately, along with any data you previously entered.
A 30 day trial version of the new program is available by visiting the link here. To read the full press release please click on the link below.
Monday, February 13, 2006
HP has officially announced their latest entry into the mobile device market, The Ipaq 6900 mobile messenger.
"The sleek hw6900 is the first handheld with four integrated radios so customers can stay connected in more places around the world. Included are: Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Wi-Fi, GPS(4) and Bluetooth wireless technology.(1,2,3) The Bluetooth technology additionally offers wireless communication with other Bluetooth devices such as headsets, printers and automobile hands-free kits."
Almost lost in the announcement of the device is the fact that it will be the first Windows device to offer "push" email from Microsoft. The Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Messaging and Security Feature Pack allows HP iPAQ hw6900 customers to automatically receive new items to their device, without the use of additional middleware applications.
"The sleek hw6900 is the first handheld with four integrated radios so customers can stay connected in more places around the world. Included are: Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Wi-Fi, GPS(4) and Bluetooth wireless technology.(1,2,3) The Bluetooth technology additionally offers wireless communication with other Bluetooth devices such as headsets, printers and automobile hands-free kits."
Almost lost in the announcement of the device is the fact that it will be the first Windows device to offer "push" email from Microsoft. The Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Messaging and Security Feature Pack allows HP iPAQ hw6900 customers to automatically receive new items to their device, without the use of additional middleware applications.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
If you have ever wanted to sync your device over a wirless connection, this article provides a very thorough step by step guide to take you through the process.
"After buying a Pocket PC with a built-in wireless card, I found it quite annoying that I still had to find my synchronization cable in order to synchronize with my PC. I thought to myself, isn't the whole point of the wireless card to get rid of wires? Unbeknownst to many (and to me, at one point in time), you can synchronize your wirelessly-enabled Pocket PC with your PC—over your wireless network. In this article, I'll show you how to do just that."
At the end of the article he also provides some information on how to perform a similar set up that will allow you to sync your device over the internet. Click the link below to read the full article.
"After buying a Pocket PC with a built-in wireless card, I found it quite annoying that I still had to find my synchronization cable in order to synchronize with my PC. I thought to myself, isn't the whole point of the wireless card to get rid of wires? Unbeknownst to many (and to me, at one point in time), you can synchronize your wirelessly-enabled Pocket PC with your PC—over your wireless network. In this article, I'll show you how to do just that."
At the end of the article he also provides some information on how to perform a similar set up that will allow you to sync your device over the internet. Click the link below to read the full article.
Pavel Koza over at PDA Gold has posted a new review, this time on the brand new Acer N311.
"Acer has lately been trying to rid of a label of a producer of low-end or entry-level Pocket PCs. The first such attempt was Acer n50 and now, the manufacturer ventured to the high society of Pocket PC devices with a VGA display. There are going to be two models. I managed to get hold the more powerful one, Acer n311, for this review."
Pavel always does a great job at providing an in depth analysis of the devices he reviews, so if you are interested in this device, (like I know I am) you can read the full review by clicking on the link below.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Ionoveo Technologies has announced their new VeoLock Software, designed to secure your Pocket PC device using voice recognition.
"VeoLock, which will be officially launched in May 2006, is a Pocket PC security software that locks up your Pocket PC so that no one other than the owner can access it. According to the CEO and founder of Ionoveo Technologies, Benny Ng, VeoLock will have at least 128-bit encryption and also a voice recognition engine that is tolerant of noises. White noises like television and air-conditioning should not be a problem and should not disrupt the identification process. Alternatively, the user can opt for alpha-numeric password system to be used in conjunction with voice recognition."
You can visit the Ioneveo website by going to www.ionoveo.com, or you can read the full press release by clicking on the link below.
"VeoLock, which will be officially launched in May 2006, is a Pocket PC security software that locks up your Pocket PC so that no one other than the owner can access it. According to the CEO and founder of Ionoveo Technologies, Benny Ng, VeoLock will have at least 128-bit encryption and also a voice recognition engine that is tolerant of noises. White noises like television and air-conditioning should not be a problem and should not disrupt the identification process. Alternatively, the user can opt for alpha-numeric password system to be used in conjunction with voice recognition."
You can visit the Ioneveo website by going to www.ionoveo.com, or you can read the full press release by clicking on the link below.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Spb Software House has announced a new contest for players of their newly released Spb Islands Pocket PC game.
"Spb Software House is launching a new Spb AirIslands contest. We will have a random drawing from among the 10 gamers who complete their islands in the best time. The drawing winner will receive a cool Pocket PC gadget - a Virtual Laser Keyboard. You can post your results until Feb 14th. "
In order to find out more about the contest, and how you to win a virtual keyboard (see our review here) please click the link below.
"Spb Software House is launching a new Spb AirIslands contest. We will have a random drawing from among the 10 gamers who complete their islands in the best time. The drawing winner will receive a cool Pocket PC gadget - a Virtual Laser Keyboard. You can post your results until Feb 14th. "
In order to find out more about the contest, and how you to win a virtual keyboard (see our review here) please click the link below.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
While this story is clearly qualified as an unconfirmed rumor, the story over at Bargain PDA is still certainly worth mentioning, given the fact it involves one of the most successful manufacturers of Pocket PC devices over the past few years.
"Information allegedly provided by Dell to a corporate client states that Dell will not be producing any follow-up devices to the X51 line. The rumor states that due to decreases in the market, the company has decided not to produce any more "pen based" portable computers. The report goes on to say that the company has been looking at "converged" devices, but isn't prepared to announce a product."
The additional details as rumored are that the X51 line would remain for sale through the balance of 2006, and that the accessories lines such as batteries and chargers would continue to be offered through 2009. (Source- Bargain PDA)
"Information allegedly provided by Dell to a corporate client states that Dell will not be producing any follow-up devices to the X51 line. The rumor states that due to decreases in the market, the company has decided not to produce any more "pen based" portable computers. The report goes on to say that the company has been looking at "converged" devices, but isn't prepared to announce a product."
The additional details as rumored are that the X51 line would remain for sale through the balance of 2006, and that the accessories lines such as batteries and chargers would continue to be offered through 2009. (Source- Bargain PDA)
Friday, February 03, 2006
While this is not a Pocket PC specific program, it is a great way to stay up to date on the latest Pocket PC news and information. Squeet is a free service that allows you to recieve the latest news updates via RSS to your email inbox.
To use it, you simply enter the url of an one of your favourite RSS feeds (http://www.pocketpccanada.com/ppcfeed.xml would be a good example), and then set the options for how you would like to be updated. You can choose a one time update, or be updated weekly, daily, or whenever new posts are available. You also have the option to recieve your updates in HTML or plain text email.
To learn more about about Squeet, or to try it you can get to thier website by clicking on the link below.
To use it, you simply enter the url of an one of your favourite RSS feeds (http://www.pocketpccanada.com/ppcfeed.xml would be a good example), and then set the options for how you would like to be updated. You can choose a one time update, or be updated weekly, daily, or whenever new posts are available. You also have the option to recieve your updates in HTML or plain text email.
To learn more about about Squeet, or to try it you can get to thier website by clicking on the link below.
According to a information recently posted on one of Hp's web sites, the long awaited Windows Mobile 2005 Upgrade for the hx4700 will soon be available. The site lists the availability date for the upgrade as March 1st, and it looks to cost roughly around the same price Hp had been charging for upgrades to its other devices.
While there has been a lot of speculation at to why the 4700 upgrade was delayed so far behind Hp's other devices, no specific information is available.
You can view the page by clicking on the link below.
While there has been a lot of speculation at to why the 4700 upgrade was delayed so far behind Hp's other devices, no specific information is available.
You can view the page by clicking on the link below.