Palm Treo 750

Good news for Palm 750 fans…the new Palm Treo 750 now has Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 and existing Palm 750 users can download the upgrade from

http://kb.palm.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE?New,Kb=EUPalmSupportWKB,TS=PalmEUWKB_UK,case=obj(2031)

Palm Treo 500v smartphone

The New Palm Treo 500v is the first smartphone without a stylus and appears to overcome the Microsoft OS inability to work one handed.

Being lighter and shorter this smartphone is easier to carry around but does not bode well for travelers as with 3G limited to 2100MHz frequency, travelers may struggle in obtaining fast data. In addition, being a tri –band GSM / GPRS device it can be used in most countries but not all.

Although it is a 3G device it lacks Wi-Fi and HSDPA support, which means that even though it has Bluetooth 2.0 with enhanced data Rate connectivity, as a wireless modem it is unable to deliver true broadband speeds to your laptop. The battery life is as expected on a 3G phone.

For images the 500v only has a two-mega pixel camera that struggles in darker places and is also without a video call camera.

In short this device is a step in the right direction but not a device recommended for Windows Mobile super users.

New iPAQ

iPAQ are going to launch two new device series: the 600 Business Navigator and the 900 Business Messenger in 2008.

So how do they measure up?

Both devices run Windows Mobile 6 Professional, they have WiFi, tri-band HSDPA (3.5G), quad-band GSM with GPRS and EDGE as well as A-GPS navigation. They have 3 megapixel cameras with autofocus, microSD slots, Bluetooth and a range of HP-specific applications on top of the standard Microsoft Office Mobile suite.

How do they differ?

The 600 has a different screen and is a PDA opposed to the 900 Smartphone. The display is a large 2.8” portrait 240x320 pixel touchscreen panel and can be flipped between landscape and portrait orientations, compared to the 900 2.46” landscape touch –sensitive display. The battery is smaller in the 600 series but as a result it does weigh less but the 900 can boast a longer battery life. Unlike the thumb wheel on the 900, the 600 boasts a smart touch wheel facilitating easy one-handed navigation.


When we will see these devices?

All we know is that the iPAQ 610c is coming soon in 2008.

What every business needs

We have exciting news....Crimson Tide are going to be taking part in Whateverybusinessneeds Live exhibition on the 13th and 14th February next year. It's going to be taking place at South East Wales Exhibition Centre, LLantrisant Business Park and with lots of different businesses set to be there it should be a good show. So come along and have a chat with us on stand 56.

For information on the exhibition check out the website at http://www.whateverybusinessneeds.co.uk/

Motorola MC 35

Having been launched in March 2007, I know my comments on the Motorola MC 35 are bit delayed; however I feel it’s important not to skip over such a good PDA.

Motorola describes it as ‘a pocketable device’ and states it ‘is the combined power of a mobile phone, laptop, camera and bar code scanner that has a new level of enterprise connectivity, functionality, durability and manageability in a small, easy–to carry and easy–to use device.’

It is certainly true that this hardwearing phone is likely to have an excellent product life. The battery life is undoubtedly excellent with its three processor settings: one to maximize battery life, one to maximize performance, and the third is an auto setting, which changes the processor speed depending on its workload

Some important technical details to mention: it has the ability to support nearly any enterprise application, it runs Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition and is compatible with WWAN: EDGE GPRS/GSM allowing anywhere anytime Internet access. If you’re demanding and want to improve the 64 MB SDRAM / 128 ROM memory then it does have a user-accessible SDIO slot.

On the communication side it includes 1-to-1 and 1-to-many voice calls with speakerphone, headset and push-to-talk modes. An extra bonus is the PDA’s bar code scanning capabilities that would enable appropriate businesses to streamline processes and improve customer service even further

With regards to images, the device has a 2MP camera; macro focus; LED flash and operates with a 2.8 in. QVGA color screen

There is no doubt that this device will certainly perform the job well.

TyTn II

I know I have been mentioning a lot of HTC products lately but I cannot help myself from commenting upon the TyTn II. PC Pro describe it as a ‘do everything mobile workhorse’ and I couldn’t agree more. As PC Pro states, its tri-band 3G and quad-band GSM allows it to operate on almost any digital phone network, its network connection is via 3.5G HSDPA that is nine times faster than 3G and lets not forget the 802.11bg Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You also can’t go wrong with Windows Mobile 6 Professional as an operating system.

For those of you that like pictures and videos you will not be disappointed with the moving lens on the three mega pixel camera, athough the flash might let you down on shooting indoors. Nonetheless the smaller resolution camera above the screen permits you to use the 3G video calling

And if you are the type of person who wishes you could carry your sat nav around with you, this little gem has a GPS receiver and is even shipped with a cut down version of TomTom Navigation 6.

Surely these facts speak for themselves…

CNA Awards

I’ve just realized how modest all the guys are at Crimson Tide. None of them have mentioned their success at the Channel Network Awards last month! Described as one of the most important recognition events of the year, as it focuses on real world customer solutions and has truly independent judging, Crimson Tide certainly have something to be proud of by wining the award for the CNA Mobility Solution.

Well done everybody!

The Touch Cruise

Scrolling through the news I discovered that HTC has been busy and officially unveiled another new device on Monday: the Touch Cruise. As the third member of the Touch family it seems to have evolved from its relatives, featuring a built in GPS for personal navigation, which will be a definite bonus for some. However, it does not completely deny its family history as it still runs Windows Mobile 6 and retains HTC’s Touch Flo technology which provides finger touch scrolling and browsing of web pages, documents, messages and contact listson the 2.8 inch screen.

Lets not forget the other bonuses that make the snazzy device worth considering: super fast HSDPA "3.5G" connectivity plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well as a three megapixel auto focus camera, FM radio and a Micro SD memory card slot for adding to the 128MB RAM.

HTC S730

We are really excited about the recent addition of the S730 to HTC’s range of mobile devices. With a faster processor of 400 MHz and higher speed connectivity than the S710, this smartphone is a step in the right direction. You can’t go wrong with the complete suite of Microsoft Office Mobile applications on the phone and the sleek sliding keyboard ensures that it remains compact whilst enabling fast typing and dialing at the same time.

In short, it is definitely a phone that I would be envious of. Check it out for yourself at http://www.europe.htc.com/en/products/htcs730.html

Synchronica Syncs Apple iPhone to Microsoft Exchange

Mobile Gateway 3.0 Continues to Support Widest Range of Feature Phones and Smartphones on the Market


Royal Tunbridge Wells, 11 July, 2007. - Synchronica plc, international provider of mobile synchronization and device management solutions, today announced that Mobile Gateway 3.0 supports over-the-air synchronization between Microsoft Exchange and the newly launched Apple iPhone. This will allow mobile operators and service providers to offer mobile synchronization to business users and prosumers, enabling them to receive corporate email on their iPhones without having to ask their IT manager to open the firewall or install additional software.
Mobile Gateway seamlessly integrates with the corporate IT infrastructure and does not require the enterprise to expose IMAP and SMTP in their Exchange servers or install additional connectors - issues that often raise security concerns with IT administrators.
Instead, Mobile Gateway uses Microsoft's secure Outlook Web Access (OWA) to retrieve email from the corporate Exchange server, a service enabled by many enterprises to provide users with access to corporate email from home or while traveling.
Unlike other solutions, Mobile Gateway 3.0 delivers emails directly to the built-in email client of the Apple iPhone. Users will be able to benefit from the outstanding user experience of the built-in email client of the iPhone and its tight integration with the phone's address book.
The iPhone is just the latest device to be supported by Synchronica's Mobile Gateway 3.0 middleware, which enables synchronization with a wide range of smartphones and mass market feature phones from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and other leading manufacturers.
Synchronica believes that the iPhone will add momentum to the prosumer and consumer mobile email phenomenon, which industry analyst Visiongain predicts will grow exponentially to reach 36 million consumer mobile email accounts by 2008, with this figure predicted to rise to 184 million by 2012.
Commenting on the decision to support Microsoft Exchange synchronization with the Apple iPhone, Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO of Synchronica said, "The iPhone is a very attractive smartphone, appealing to both the consumer and prosumer market. However, IT Managers are not going to permit their executives to synchronize a device that requires them to punch holes in the corporate firewall. Mobile Gateway already supports synchronization with Microsoft Exchange, but does not require firewall modification or any software to be installed in the corporate network, so this won't be an issue. From a carrier's perspective, we are significantly expanding the reach of the iPhone into the business user and prosumer segments."
Synchronica was one of the first synchronization software vendors to combine both SyncML (OMA DS), which is optimized for synchronization of calendar and contacts, and Push IMAP (LEMONADE), which is optimized for mobile email. Millions of mobile phones support email over IMAP, but IMAP does not support calendar or contact synchronization. Thus, combining Push IMAP for mobile email with SyncML (OMA DS) for synchronization of calendar and contacts allows Synchronica to support the widest range of devices and the most popular content types.Synchronica's Mobile Gateway provides carrier-grade push email and synchronization services for both consumers and business users. Serving consumers, it includes back-end support for POP3 and IMAP, connecting to popular mail services such as AOL or Yahoo. For business users, it provides a unique zero footprint architecture where users simply register their devices with Mobile Gateway and instantly start to receive push email on their devices - no connectors behind the firewall are required. Mobile Gateway includes built-in support for Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, and Sun JES, thereby reaching the majority of business user mail systems.

Good Mobile Messaging 5 is coming !

News from our friends at Good technology ( or should we call them Motorola Good or Good Motorola?)
Good Gets A Little Web 2.0 With Latest Upgrade
Posted by Stephen Wellman, Jun 25, 2007 05:18 PM

Mobile e-mail solution maker Good Technology today announced the latest version of its mobile business solution, Good Messaging 5. I was able to get a sneak peak of Good 5 a few weeks ago and it looks like Good is ready for Web 2.0. Or at least moving in that direction.
The first thing that struck me about Good 5 is that it offers a lot more personalization than most push e-mail clients. The latest upgrade gives more than a nod to Web 2.0 (or is that Enterprise 2.0) with new tools such as an RSS reader and prioritized contacts.
On the messaging front, users can now sort and find e-mail threads by conversation (similar to the way Gmail works) or by sender. This looked cool when I saw it, but I couldn't tell if this newest feature also works with text messages.
You can now edit and send Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF documents through Good Mobile Intranet. This upgrade allows users to also e-mail these edited documents back out.
The latest version of Good also beefs up the calendar, letting users invite attendees to meetings and even book conference rooms.
From the IT point of view, Good's biggest improvement is with device management -- an area that has quickly emerged as the new battleground for mobile business vendors. Here is a look at Good's enhanced device management system:
Mandatory applications: helps set and enforce the installation of mandatory applications like anti-virus checkers to ensure that users have what they need—both to do their jobs and to comply with corporate security policies Application lockdown: blacklists and prevents the launch of unapproved applications Device lockdown: locks down the camera, infra-red (IR), WiFi and/or Bluetooth wireless technology ports; enforces SD card encryption Advanced password management: enables administrators to set granular criteria for password characteristics, restrictions, and expirations Advanced encryption management: provides rules-based enforcement of SD card and database encryption policies Simplified load balancing: enables IT to move users across servers to facilitate load balancing—without the need to re-provision.
This all looked really impressive when the Good guys showed it to me.

More Wi-Max users coming - and mobile ones too!

WiMax has the potential to effectively compete against LTE but its success rests on emerging market maturity and the roll out of mobile services.

WiMax's ability to garner a loyal fan base in emerging markets is a critical success factor as to whether the technology thrives, dies or just stays alive in the long term, according to research published this week.

Mobile operators are continuing to edge towards long term evolution (LTE), meaning there is a great deal of current uncertainty, but if players get it right with emerging audiences, WiMax has the potential to establish itself as a mature technology that can effectively compete, claims Senza Fili Consulting's report entitled 'WiMax: Ambitions and Reality.'

The wireless consultancy firm predicts that there will be 54 million WiMax subscribers by 2012, driven primarily by emerging marketing and the roll out of mobile services.

"The recent inclusion of WiMax as an IMT-2000 technology will enable mobile operators to deploy it more widely, but the mobile market will take longer than the fixed one to grow, because most mobile operators do not yet need a data-only wireless network to complement their 3G networks", said Monica Paolini, the report's author.

Almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of WiMax subscribers will make use of the technology for mobile access, according to the report, which clearly demonstrates that the demand for mobile connectivity exists plentifully. A third of users will also embrace fixed-access WiMax offerings.

However, despite WiMax's potential in helping to make mobile broadband truly pervasive, device availability remains a challenge.

"To motivate subscribers to sign up for service, operators need compelling devices with new form factors, ranging from CE devices for developed markets to basic portable-data devices for emerging markets," added Paolini.

"But so far vendors are still searching for an innovative vision for the development of WiMax devices", she added.

Secure Wi-Fi ID not RFID , or any other ID

Here's a note from Will Newman on WiFi ID - sounds good to me! (what's an AP??)

RFID is a system which works for the market it was developed for. However RFID or WiFiID is a different concept

In the case you quoted, there is nor problem as they have big batteries. Our solar powered units run off a single car battery all night, quite challenging in winter. You could mount an AP in client mode in the vehicle, which was switched off by a relay when the ignition is turned on so by definition the wireless device is only on when the vehicle is stationary and parked up.

You would need a WiFi zone around the compound to ensure line of sight to a number of cells, but then it could all work for vehicles.

Will

Crimson Tide goes wireless

Hot off the press is the news that Crimson Tide has signed a strategic business partnership with Wireless Broadband supplier Newman Concepts Limited. This is a really exciting development. Here's the press release.

Crimson Tide announces new strategic business partnership

Crimson Tide plc (AIM:TIDE), the provider of mobile data solutions, today announces that it has signed a strategic business partnership with Newman Concepts Limited, a provider of wireless broadband internet services based in Norfolk, UK. Crimson Tide will offer Newman’s patented “Digital Bridge” technology to a broad range of potential customers on a revenue sharing basis which will enable both companies to benefit from the flow of recurring revenues.

The Digital Bridge technology allows users to obtain wireless broadband with download speeds of up to 20 Mps, with similar upload speeds. It can enable individual premises, large sites as well as non-metropolitan towns and communities. The key to the technology is its simplicity, ease of installation and cost-effectiveness. The technology has been in use in rural Norfolk for a number of years and is currently being implemented in Kings Lynn.

Crimson Tide aims to integrate the Digital Bridge technology into its range of wireless and mobile data solutions, using Crimson Tide’s increasing routes to market and its growing brand awareness to promote and deliver the technology to its customers. The market for the technology is potentially worldwide and Crimson Tide sees this as an ideal opportunity to expand its geographic footprint.

Barrie Whipp, Executive Chairman of Crimson Tide, commented:

“The Digital Bridge technology is a very exciting development in the wireless broadband sector. Its speed is impressive, both in terms of wireless internet and hotspot delivery. I believe that Crimson Tide can incorporate it into its range of solutions, giving fast, secure wireless connectivity where current solutions are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

Initially Crimson Tide will be marketing the technology in the UK and Ireland. Once it is firmly established we will be looking for international partners to develop sales on a worldwide basis.”

Will Newman, founder and CEO of Newman Concepts, added:

“Crimson Tide offers an exciting route to market for the Digital Bridge technology, together with their range of wireless and mobile data solutions. We see this as an exciting partnership, giving us access to a number of areas that we have not yet explored.”

It's a winner !

Without saying "we told you so" but "we told you so" - Good Mobile Messaging has won another award - the website for MSExchange.org says-

Good Mobile Messaging - Voted MSExchange.org Readers’ Choice Award Winner - Mobility & Wireless Category

We thought that as it was in really big writing it must be important. Our really good friends at Good have been going great guns recently - congratulations guys

Ciao - Clint

New Nokias, New HTCs, New Stuff

Sorry about the lack of posts - been ski-ing where Mrs. Aerialhead took a tumble and has some ligament damage - Ouch !

Anyway, I've been bombarded with emails about new kit. Firstly, the new Nokia "Es" look quite cool - still a little wide for my liking. I see they are still on the PCPro "A List" though. Of course you Symbian lovers will, well, love them. Stylish for the suits, eh? http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/12/nokias-e61i-qwerty-and-e65-slider-announced-some-style-for-the/

Those boys at HTC keep us on our toes - no sooner are we sending a 4350 out to our friends than they send us details of more new kit http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Feb2007/4272.htm. We really like HTC kit - almost as much as the new treos from our dear friends at Palm.

Ciao for now
Clint

Treo USB Charger

Those very nice people at Palm have delivered some very nice USB chargers for the Treo 680 or 750. Ideal when you've run out of power and haven't put the mains charger in your bag.

I think that battery life is a big bugbear in the life of the mobile professional and every little trick helps.

Don't forget to turn the screen brightness down and set the power saving functionality to maximum ( or minimum depending on your terminology) to help with those low power moments

Ciao
Clint

Palm Treo 680 Patch

Any 680 users out there should download and install the patch at http://euro.palm.com/europe/en/support/downloads.html#Treo680.
Apparently the camera on the 680 can continue to drain power even when the phone is in standby mode. We wondered why some users said that battery life was not great which is unusual for a Palm device.

Any problems with the patch , contact the techies at Crimson Tide.

Regards

Clint

World's most powerful smartphone

Our chum Luke has discovered what we think is the world's most powerful smartphone. Unveiled at CES in Las Vegas (why weren't we there?) Seamless WiFi, Inc's new smartphone, the S-XGen. What makes it special? The 520 megahertz processor, 20 gigabyte hard disk, integrated WiFi and a full-sized fold-out qwerty keyboard, for starters. The device also comes with built-in gaming controls and a 4.25 inch TFT 470 x 270 resolution screen.
The only downside is that its a bit of a "lump" at the following spec Length = 6.5” – Height = 3.8” - Width = 1.125” Weight = 14oz. Picture here...http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/podcasts/ces2007-s-xgen.wmv

If you need a powerful unit it could be for you. UK price to come but we reckon £550 will be about the price point.

Catch you next time

Clint

Mobile Enterprise Market to take off

I note that top research chappies IDC are saying that the mobile enterprise market is set to take off big style. I agree. The move from voice to data comms between field based sales guys like me will certainly mean that companies will need to mobilise their appliocations or change the way they work. People with info at the point of business ( isn't that a Good Technology slogan?) will have the upper hand.

Have a good weekend

Clint

Web Store

By the way those boys at Crimson Tide now have an online store for hardware. I understand they hope to offer a much wider catalog soon. Nice work guys.

www.crimsontide.co.uk

Have a nice weekend. Clint

New HTC devices

Thought you might be interested to see the new HTC devices as disclosed in The Register

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/03/htc_07_roadmap/

Regards

Clint

jabra headset with the TyTn

Just a note to say that the Jabra 250v headset is working well with the tyTn, especially impressive is the voice-dialling. I've not been entirely happy with the Jabra in the past but the quality and ease of use with the TyTn is excellent.

Cheers for now

Clint

The Magnificent HTC TyTn

Just thought I'd let everyone know abot my new HTC TyTn. It's really filling the gap that I've had for a number of years when my old Ipaq and Nokia were the "ultimate mobile solution" . With GPRS/3G and WiFi, the TyTn really gets the job done. I'm getting two days battery life which is fine for me. I've turned down the display and have 3G switched off unless I need it.


This great Windows Mobile Device is loaded with Good Mobile Messaging (nice and secure) and I'm now loading all my old utilities (Pocket Informant, Tube London etc). Microsoft even let me have a copy of Space Invaders for free!


That's it - more TyTn stuff later

Ciao!

Clint