Sunday, April 30, 2006
A story over at Gizmodo discusses the future of PDA only devices, and according to this story it looks pretty bleak.
"According to market intelligence firm IDC, sales of PDA devices without phone capabilities are down 9 straight quarters in a row. Obviously, with smartphones having more and more PDA functionality due to faster chips and better software, people don't feel the need to carry around both a cellphone and a PDA."
I am not sure this is quite as bad as it sounds. I think that adding phone capabilities to a PDA type device is just improving upon the technology, not eliminating it. Click the link below to read the full story.
"According to market intelligence firm IDC, sales of PDA devices without phone capabilities are down 9 straight quarters in a row. Obviously, with smartphones having more and more PDA functionality due to faster chips and better software, people don't feel the need to carry around both a cellphone and a PDA."
I am not sure this is quite as bad as it sounds. I think that adding phone capabilities to a PDA type device is just improving upon the technology, not eliminating it. Click the link below to read the full story.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
ActiveSync 4.2 Beta Preview is an early look at the latest sync software release for Windows Mobile devices.
Microsoft ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience with Windows powered PCs and Microsoft Outlook right out of the box. ActiveSync acts as the gateway between your Windows powered PC and Windows Mobile powered device, enabling the transfer of Outlook information, Office documents, pictures, music, videos and applications from your desktop to your device. In addition to synchronizing with a desktop PC, ActiveSync can synchronize directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 so that you can keep your e-mail, Calendar, Notes, and Contacts updated wirelessly when you're away from your PC.
Microsoft ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience with Windows powered PCs and Microsoft Outlook right out of the box. ActiveSync acts as the gateway between your Windows powered PC and Windows Mobile powered device, enabling the transfer of Outlook information, Office documents, pictures, music, videos and applications from your desktop to your device. In addition to synchronizing with a desktop PC, ActiveSync can synchronize directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 so that you can keep your e-mail, Calendar, Notes, and Contacts updated wirelessly when you're away from your PC.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Chapura has announced that its popular Outlook synchronization software, PocketMirror Professional for Microsoft Windows Mobile, now supports the Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone Editions of Windows Mobile 5.0. This updated version of PocketMirror Professional offers owners of Windows Mobile 5.0-based devices, such as the Palm Treo 700w smartphone, a way to transfer more information between Outlook on the desktop and Outlook Mobile on the handheld than allowed with ActiveSync alone. PocketMirror Professional for Windows Mobile also offers owners of these mobile devices a near desktop-like toolset for organizing personal information on the go.
Click the link below to read the full press release.
Click the link below to read the full press release.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Brighthand is reporting on some new details on the next release of Windows Mobile, codenamed "Crossbow".
"One of the biggest changes in the upcoming version of Windows Mobile will be strong support for Office 2007 and Exchange 12, the word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and email applications that Microsoft is working on now. Not surprisingly, Crossbow will be able to tie into Office Communicator, a new instant messaging application that will be part of Office 2007."
This will likely be released as a "second edition" update to Windows Mobile 2005, similar to what Microsoft did with Windows Mobile 2003. Exact launch timing has not yet been confirmed.
"One of the biggest changes in the upcoming version of Windows Mobile will be strong support for Office 2007 and Exchange 12, the word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and email applications that Microsoft is working on now. Not surprisingly, Crossbow will be able to tie into Office Communicator, a new instant messaging application that will be part of Office 2007."
This will likely be released as a "second edition" update to Windows Mobile 2005, similar to what Microsoft did with Windows Mobile 2003. Exact launch timing has not yet been confirmed.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Golftraxx has announced the official launch of its Powered By VoiceIt, 100% open standards Golf GPS solution for Pocket PC with built-in voice Response.
"The integrated application suite features 2-way voice communication between player and device. Upon command, GolfTraxx accurately calculates shot distances anywhere in the world using GPS coordinates, with the PDA stating those distances aloud. Finally, GolfTraxx records each shot played on the course into a database during the played round. Additional features include a female voice stating distances to multiple targets on every hole including front, center and back of each green, and exporting of all shot data to a desktop computer for later use and analysis."
You can click the link below to read the entire press release.
"The integrated application suite features 2-way voice communication between player and device. Upon command, GolfTraxx accurately calculates shot distances anywhere in the world using GPS coordinates, with the PDA stating those distances aloud. Finally, GolfTraxx records each shot played on the course into a database during the played round. Additional features include a female voice stating distances to multiple targets on every hole including front, center and back of each green, and exporting of all shot data to a desktop computer for later use and analysis."
You can click the link below to read the entire press release.
Friday, April 21, 2006
It appears that rumors of the death of Dell's line of Axim handhelds may have been premature. Chris Leckness, who runs Aximsite managed to get some information from a source at Dell.
"Dell will continue to sell and support the Dell Axim X51v. The lack of new development of the Axim line is because there is no reason to introduce new models since the X51v is already well ahead of the competition. I guess they are right, there is not much out there that can be improved on other than OS issues. The Dell Axim X51v hardware is pretty amazing and I see their point."
I am not sure I would agree with the part about the device not being able to be improved upon, but this is good news for all the Axim fans out there nonetheless.
"Dell will continue to sell and support the Dell Axim X51v. The lack of new development of the Axim line is because there is no reason to introduce new models since the X51v is already well ahead of the competition. I guess they are right, there is not much out there that can be improved on other than OS issues. The Dell Axim X51v hardware is pretty amazing and I see their point."
I am not sure I would agree with the part about the device not being able to be improved upon, but this is good news for all the Axim fans out there nonetheless.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Nomad Media Hub is an RSS aggregator that allows you to organize and view your RSS feeds on your Windows Mobile device.
"NOMAD Media Hub FREE BETA empowers Windows Mobile users from around the world to create and personalize their very own feed channels to go! NMH is entirely multimedia-enabled allowing multiple channel subscription, channel creation by keyword and support for rich content formats such as Podcasts, Videocasts, Image and Text feeds channels powered by Google News, Flickr, Webjay, Podzinger, Fotolia, Blinkx and many other popular social media providers. NMH FREE BETA includes My NOMAD Channel Manager, TCPMP Media Player support, free upgrades, plus an entire pre-packaged Interest Channel line-up available on a fully customizable subscription mode."
You can click the link below to download your free copy of Nomad Media Hub Beta.
"NOMAD Media Hub FREE BETA empowers Windows Mobile users from around the world to create and personalize their very own feed channels to go! NMH is entirely multimedia-enabled allowing multiple channel subscription, channel creation by keyword and support for rich content formats such as Podcasts, Videocasts, Image and Text feeds channels powered by Google News, Flickr, Webjay, Podzinger, Fotolia, Blinkx and many other popular social media providers. NMH FREE BETA includes My NOMAD Channel Manager, TCPMP Media Player support, free upgrades, plus an entire pre-packaged Interest Channel line-up available on a fully customizable subscription mode."
You can click the link below to download your free copy of Nomad Media Hub Beta.
Spb has announced an update to thier Spb Diary software, now at version 1.7.5.
"Spb Software House announces the release of Spb Diary 1.7.5. Spb Diary is a feature-rich Today plug-in for your Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, Notes and Messages. It enhances Pocket Outlook by gathering all of your PIM information in one place. You can download a free trial version that works for 15 days from the day of installation. The registered version costs $14.95. All owners of Spb Diary can upgrade for free of charge"
Click the link below to be taken to the Spb Diary download page.
"Spb Software House announces the release of Spb Diary 1.7.5. Spb Diary is a feature-rich Today plug-in for your Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, Notes and Messages. It enhances Pocket Outlook by gathering all of your PIM information in one place. You can download a free trial version that works for 15 days from the day of installation. The registered version costs $14.95. All owners of Spb Diary can upgrade for free of charge"
Click the link below to be taken to the Spb Diary download page.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Neslo Software has released an update for their Desktop Rover software, that will allow the user to use their Pocket PC screen as an extension of their desktop, which in turn will allow input to the PPC using the desktop keyboard and mouse.
" During installation, the user indicates on their PC desktop screen the relative location of the Pocket PC. As the mouse is dragged to that edge of the screen, the cursor moves to the handheld device with a corresponding shift of focus for both the keyboard and mouse. Release 3.0 automatically turns on the Pocket PC's backlight when focus shifts to it, if the device has entered its power save mode."
A 2 week trial version of the software is also available. You can read the full story by clicking on the link below.
" During installation, the user indicates on their PC desktop screen the relative location of the Pocket PC. As the mouse is dragged to that edge of the screen, the cursor moves to the handheld device with a corresponding shift of focus for both the keyboard and mouse. Release 3.0 automatically turns on the Pocket PC's backlight when focus shifts to it, if the device has entered its power save mode."
A 2 week trial version of the software is also available. You can read the full story by clicking on the link below.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Emblaze Ltd. today launches Emoze, the world's first free and secure "push" email and PIM service. With emoze Personal Edition, anyone with a compatible mobile phone can receive work or home emails and Personal Information Manager (PIM) data such as contacts and diary scheduling on their mobile phone or PDA on the move, anywhere in the world. The technology itself is built to support any mobile device. Current release works with all Microsoft PocketPC or Symbian devices such as Nokia 6630 and Nokia 6680. Within the next few months emoze will cover the vast majority of remaining mobile devices and will keep maintaining and adapting the service for all newly emerging mobile devices over time.
Sounds very interesting. You can click the link below to read the full press release, or go straight to the download page by clicking here.
Sounds very interesting. You can click the link below to read the full press release, or go straight to the download page by clicking here.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
VDC Corp is set to launch a nationwide service that will allow users to watch live, "cable-like" TV on either your desktop or your Windows Mobile device. Initially, VDC will launch with a line-up of approximately 20 channels, including NASA Television, Healthy Living Channel, Fashion TV, ShopNBC, MavTV, The Pentagon Channel, Q Television Network and Adrenaline Nation.
The technology works without any special software, and will cost users an $11.95 monthly membership fee. The service will work on PCs running Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista with Internet Explorer version 5.5 or greater. It also works on "any Windows powered mobile device, including those running on current 3G and EVDO cellular networks", although Windows Mobile 5.0 will be required. You can click the link below for more information.
The technology works without any special software, and will cost users an $11.95 monthly membership fee. The service will work on PCs running Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista with Internet Explorer version 5.5 or greater. It also works on "any Windows powered mobile device, including those running on current 3G and EVDO cellular networks", although Windows Mobile 5.0 will be required. You can click the link below for more information.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
A new start-up company by the name of Webaroo, is trying to revolutionize internet search by allowing the search process to take place offline.
"Webaroo, a new start-up backed by the same VC company that backed Skype, is launching a new service that for the first time can be used to search the web and view web sites when your device is not connected to the internet. Available free from www.webaroo.com, the new search engine takes the most relevant parts of the web and makes it downloadable in bite-sized chunks."
The software is said to work by offering web packs of particular subjects, each of which contains hundreds of thousands of relevant web pages on the topic, identified by Webaroo's unique algorithms. It will be available for desktops as well as Windows Mobile devices. To read the entire article click the link below.
"Webaroo, a new start-up backed by the same VC company that backed Skype, is launching a new service that for the first time can be used to search the web and view web sites when your device is not connected to the internet. Available free from www.webaroo.com, the new search engine takes the most relevant parts of the web and makes it downloadable in bite-sized chunks."
The software is said to work by offering web packs of particular subjects, each of which contains hundreds of thousands of relevant web pages on the topic, identified by Webaroo's unique algorithms. It will be available for desktops as well as Windows Mobile devices. To read the entire article click the link below.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Palm, Inc. today announced a software update for the Palm Treo 700w smartphone from Verizon Wireless that will enable the Windows Mobile Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP), which includes Direct Push Technology. The free update, which is expected to be available later this month, gives Treo 700w smartphone users fast, automatic wireless updates of their email, calendar items, contacts and tasks, allowing IT managers to deliver this information directly from Exchange Server 2003 SP2 without incurring additional third-party infrastructure costs.
Click the link below to read the full press release.
Click the link below to read the full press release.
Monday, April 03, 2006
If you have followed this site for awhile, you know that I am a fan of using Macromedia Flash as a development tool for the Pocket PC. (see my November 2003 article on the subject in Pocket PC Magazine by clicking here.) Well Macromedia has just announced the release of version 7 of Flash Player for the Pocket PC.
"Now developers can create engaging mobile content, games and rich applications for all Windows Mobile 5 and Pocket PC 2003 devices. Developers can download the free Flash Player 7 for Pocket PC today to start developing and experiencing rich Flash content, enterprise applications and mobile services right from your Pocket PC."
Click the link below to be taken to the download page over at the Macromedia web site.
"Now developers can create engaging mobile content, games and rich applications for all Windows Mobile 5 and Pocket PC 2003 devices. Developers can download the free Flash Player 7 for Pocket PC today to start developing and experiencing rich Flash content, enterprise applications and mobile services right from your Pocket PC."
Click the link below to be taken to the download page over at the Macromedia web site.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
A detailed spec sheet of the iPAQ 6800 series has now shown up online on the HP web site. Some of the high level details are as follows;
- Integrated Wireless Radio Antennas
- Integrated Tri- band GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless radio with automatic band transition1,2,3,4
- Integrated Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11b) on selected models only
- Integrated Bluetooth v1.2 wireless technology
- Intel PXA272 Processor 416 MHz
- Integrated HP Photosmart 2 MP Camera
- FM Tuner
- Dual Stereo Speakers
- Integrated mini-SD slot(storage memory expansion only)
- Integrated mini-USB slot
I came across a new website at www.littlethemes.com, which was recently launched and is a great resource for a large selection of themes divided up into many categories. There is also a large amount of VGA themes available, and best of all they are all free.
There is no registration required to download the themes, and if you happen to be surfing from your mobile device, there is a mobile version available as well.
If you are looking for some great new Pocket PC themes for your device I would suggest you head on over and check it out by clicking the link below.
There is no registration required to download the themes, and if you happen to be surfing from your mobile device, there is a mobile version available as well.
If you are looking for some great new Pocket PC themes for your device I would suggest you head on over and check it out by clicking the link below.