Windows Mobile Louisville

There is an interesting article over at Channelweb about Windows Mobile and Silverlight.  Here is an excerpt:

Several sources told Channelweb.com this week that they expect Microsoft to make Silverlight 4 the platform for building native applications in Windows Mobile 7 and future generations of Windows Phones.

Such a move wouldn’t be unexpected: Windows Mobile 6.5 is based on the Windows CE 5.2 kernel, which is the same version that powered Windows Mobile 5 when Microsoft launched it in 2004. Microsoft was expected to launch Silverlight For Mobile last year, but that has yet to come to pass. Partners have long clamored for Microsoft to support Silverlight in Windows Mobile because they believe the flexibility this would give them translates into easier application development.

“We need to have .Net available to developers in order to compete more effectively, and Silverlight is the key to taking back the application platform for mobile,” said one source, who requested anonymity.

 Read the entire article here.

This is a very broad generalization and no real survey has been taken, but from my own observations, it amazes me how little new smartphone users know about their device!   Allow me to explain:

It seems that no matter where you turn, if someone has a smartphone in their hands, chances are it is a Blackberry or an iPhone.  That’s a bitter pill to swallow, being a long-time Windows Mobile user, but it’s the truth.  Anymore, I am hard-pressed to find someone carrying a Windows phone, and when I do, it’s cause for celebration!  But I digress - back to my unofficial survey!

Of those countless people I run into who are using either a BB or an iPhone, I have begun asking them questions to see how much they use their device as a personal digital assistant (remember that word? PDA?).  For the most part, the only PIM function the majority are using is Contacts.  Using Calendar? Nah.  How about Tasks? What?!   And as far as backing up data, 4 out of 5 people I asked had no clue how to back up their info, so in the event they lost their device, they are screwed! 

To so many of these new users, this is still just a phone that has a lot of fun stuff on it.  For the majority, this is their first forray into a truly smart device, and so much of the power the smartphone remains untapped.  Yes, the apps have opened up all sorts of possibilities, particularly for iPhone users - there’s an app for just about anything - but there is still an overriding sense of ignorance to some of the core functions!  At my place of work alone, I have found over a dozen people (with iPhone, BB and Pre) who have not entered thing one into their calendar!  When their phone rings in the middle of a meeting, I tell them that can be avoided by entering their appointments & meetings into their device, they say it never occurred to them!  Helllooo!

The other night I was at a meeting outside of work, and the guy who was running the meeting had an iPhone and was presenting on a Mac.  All the while, I took notes on my Touch Pro2 using Evernote, and at the end, he came over to me and said, “Wow, were you taking notes on that thing?!”  as if it was some new amazing technique!  Obviously he has never done such a thing on his iToy!

I challenge you to do your own unofficial survey.  I think you too, will find that amongst new users of smartphones, the majority have no clue.  Yes, I know I am a geek and ahead of the curve, but my survey has reminded me how devices have now reached the masses, which means the overall IQ of the mobile population has taken a steep dive! 

 Chime in here!

VASCO Data Security has released DIGIPASS for Windows Mobile.  The new product will enable Windows Mobile users to have have access to m-banking, e-banking and e-commerce with DIGIPASS two-factor authentication.

The application is designed for corporate networks to allow secure remote access to business applications for employees. DIGIPASS for Mobile can be installed through as single download, or for corporate deployments a USB connection can launch the authentication application directly onto the mobile phone.

“Mobile phone users are increasingly embracing mobile services. As a result the mobile platform is becoming more and more attractive to hackers. Traditional Internet fraud schemes are moving towards the mobile environment. With DIGIPASS for Mobile companies offering their services online or mobile site service providers can enhance security of their online service channels through the authentication of their users and by digitally signing transactions. With DIGIPASS for Mobile becoming available to Windows Mobile users, we are convinced that the corporation will increasingly embrace the use of authentication,” says Jan Valcke, President and COO at VASCO Data Security. 

A demo of DIGIPASS for Mobile is available on: http://dp4mobile.demo.VASCO.com

For some bizarre reason and without consistency, many people are noticing their Text Messages arriving with a 2016 date (including me - see image).  A unofficial fix has been created by someone over at PPC Geeks.  No word yet from manufacturers…

Get the CAB file here or read the thread and thank the developers here.

Confirming that there IS a meeting tonight!  It will be casual in nature - no set presentations or agenda.  Just an opportunity to mingle and chat about devices and tech!

If you can’t make it, we’ll see you in January!

Bing mobile (and the Bing website) both got a makeover.  There are some nice touches to the mobile app, though I’m noticing it run slowly on my Touch Pro2…

It is much more finger-friendly.  I like the features they’ve added to the maps (see image).

Download it from your device (using PIE, not Opera) by going to m.bing.com

After long period of testing the beta versions, Resco is now officially releasing the new Resco Photo Manager 7.00.

Resco Photo Manager is a favorite image viewing program with features far beyond standards of the classic built-in viewer. Users gain functions of complete image management in a modern looking and easy to handle application. Intuitive way of work, outrageous effects and many slideshow and edit features move other image viewing programs to the second line.

Since the last version, the application received lots of graphical and functional changes. The old fashioned appearance has been replaced by modern looking graphics and the overall concept has been modified to make work with the program even more intuitive and effective. Support for the most favorite social networks was added.

Main changes are:

• WM 6.5 registration fixed
• Touch friendly user interface
• User interface is in new graphic
• Add GPS position to any  image and make a diary of your trip
• Locate geo-tagged image on map (using Google Maps)
• Different skins available
• Letter & date navigation bar
• Folder content preview
• Rotation , navigation and zoom gestures
• Double tap image to quickly view detail in original size
• GUI animations
• Support of G-sensor
• Convert image to JPG, PNG and BMP
• Text notes can be saved into EXIF
• Upload to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Picasa supported
• Upload image with comment and GPS location

You can download a 7-day trial version here.

Ian Husk learned today that PPC Techs has the WriteSHIELD in stock for the Touch Pro2 - they just haven’t placed it on their website yet! 

If you want to get one for your device before they get the product posted to their site, just call them at 888-301-2595, or if you prefer, you can order the Touch Pro screen protector of your liking (Anti-Glare or Crystal Clear), and add in the notes that you really need the Touch Pro2 version.

 Or you can just wait for them to update their site!  I would hope that wouldn’t take too long! :)

SPB Software has released SPB Time 3, a major update to this very popular app.  The updated version offers a completely new user interface and significantly improved alarm features.  SPB Time 3 provides three different types of alarms - Paranoid, Bio, and Classic.

SPB Time 3 also makes use of SPB Mobile Shell’s widget system. Four widgets are available for those who already have Mobile Shell version 3.5.1 and higher: City Time, Moon Phase, Next Alarm and Stop Watch.

SPB Time 3 is compatible with Windows Mobile 5 and higher. It may be purchased for $14.95.  There is a 15-day free trial version.  Users of any previous versions of SPB Time are able to upgrade with a 50% discount, and if you have purchased it within the last 90 days, upgrades are free.

I’ve had a Pocket PC since 2001 and have come to rely on the PDA functions such as the calendar and task options more than almost anything. The only exception is my contacts. The biggest flaw with Microsoft’s Calendar application is the un-finger friendly way of entering information. We’ve all become used to have the stylus in our hands when adding or changing an appointment. Since other new devices have arrived on the market, fingers have been used and it works nicely. Even with HTC’s Touch Flow calendar, it’s not perfect. However… that may have just changed.

Time management is very important in today’s busy world. We all have important schedules to keep in both our business and personal lives. I’ve heard all too often that some people don’t have time to keep a good calendar updated. With all the handheld devices out there, it should be an easy thing to accomplish. The main problem was it’s difficult to type and enter that information on these small devices. Most of the time I would just enter everything into Outlook and let the sync take place. It was much easier.

I was asked to check out Inesoft’s Calendar application for the Windows Mobile devices. My business relies on my calendar appointments and I can’t live without it. From the moment I installed the application, I was very impressed. I’ve used several other calendars and PIM Managers over the years and always reverted back to the old standard. Why did I revert back? I found them too overwhelming or complicated to use on a daily basis. Too many features can boggle the mind. However I think this one is here to stay! Read the rest of this entry »