Nokia N71 Nice but...

Nokia's N71 is getting some pretty good reviews. Obviously with a Symbian device you are not getting the power of Windows mobile but there is certainly a market for those who are Nokia addicts. A bit odd-looking to me and not as stylish as the Palm Treo Pro. I certainly think the small screen is limiting but Nokia fans would point out its excellent battery life and the fact that it has all the connectivity you need on board.

System Centre Mobile Device Manager

Our friends at Microsoft have produced the chart below to identify the differences between the device management capabilities of their server products

Total Cost of Ownership - Windows Mobile v Blackberry

Our good friends at Microsoft have helped us out by supplying a tool to calculate the total costs of ownership for Windows Mobile devices against Blackberry.

You can find the calculator here - the results are fascinating

Nokia's new "Communicator"

The Nokia Communicator was truly ahead of its time (along with gadgets like the Psion 5)

Here's Nokia's latest successor which I quite like the look of (TYTN II anyone?)

32Mb of onboard storage ois the killer feature

Samsung Pixon - 8 mega pixel cameraphone !

This looks a nice device - especially for camera buffs. No Wi-fi (it has HSDPA) apparently but an 8 mega-pixel camera and, in fact , looks like a camera!

A few storms in a teacup

Whilst the BlackBerry Storm is going through its honeymoon phase, we hear a number of issues from the street:-

Battery Life - 5 hours max in some cases
Poor build quality - not up to RIMs ususal standard
Slow apps - apparently the apps don't scroll as fast as the ads would like you to think (liek the disgraceful Iphone ad that I saw at the cinema)

I'm sure other users will love their Storm but these issues are a little concerning.

WiFi stats

BT say that usage of their Wifi networks has doubled this year with one day seeing 10m minutes used at BT hotspots

HTC 6500

The HTC 6500 is a semi-rugged device from one of our favourite manufacturers

The 3mp camera kind of stands out but so is the fingerprint sensor - here's some blurb

The large 3.5" anti-glare screen enables images, media and data to be viewed with complete clarity. Combined with the auto-focus 3 mega-pixel camera which captures clear, sharp images, the HTC P6500 is perfect for 2D barcode and business card reader applications. Critical data is kept secure down to storage card level with enhanced security features such as fingerprint ID sensors.

order it here

HTC have produced a 4G Phone. All the usual network stuff PLUS WiFi PLUS WiMax ( in the 2.5 - 2.7 GHZ band)

It would be nice to get HSDPA and 3G in a few more areas first but for ultimate connectivity this is the boy.

By the way - still no Omnia! Looking at the Touch HD now but not prepared to pay over £500

Not sure about this

It is a G1 , with the Android OS. unusually for an HTC device it looks a bit bland. We haven't seen one - it's limited to T-Mobeel (as KK calls them) . The OS is supposed to be slick but as Ballmer says - what's the revenue model? We're sure there will be more to this but at the moment we are underwhelmed to a large degree.

Very good HTC Touch HD Video

There's a very good video from some nice French people here showing the rather nice HTC Touch HD. I still haven't Omnia'd up - the HTC appeals but...no internal memory? ...hmmmm

The vid is here

Boost your mobile signal at home

Femtocell technology

Femtocells are the latest technology developed to help boost 3G signal and mobile broadband and it looks as if it's going to become as popular as Bluetooth technology.

Femtocells are small low-power plug-and-play devices which are designed to allow a localised 3G coverage - so that users can access the internet via a standard IP broadband connection. Basically they make it possible to use a 3G connecton for your home or business. The Femtocell is like a mini mobile phone mast that's about the same size as a BT Home Hub. It's small and inconspicuous enough to be put in a room on a shelf or next to your computer. With the Femtocell active in your home, it can also be invaluable in providing a boosted signal to your mobile phone for voice calls.

Femtocells are expected to be compatible with current 3G handsets and technology - so consumers won't need to buy new hardware to use the product.

Once Femtocell technology is up and running on a larger scale, we could potentially see more mobile broadband services being dished out to the consumer.

O2 is currently at the forefront of Femtocell development in the UK. They recently partnered up with NEC and are in the process of trialling the system with over 500 candidates. Once this trial period is over their goal is to use the technology to improve indoor 3G mobile broadband.

Samsung i200

Look out for the Samsung i200 - now available on Vodafone tariffs. in a shameless bit of copying and pasting I am told "The super-slim Samsung i200 is perfect for communicating on-the-go. With Vodafone Email Plus, Windows Mobile with document editing and super-fast HSDPA internet speeds, this handset allows you to truly communicate however you want, wherever you want. "

Which is nice

HTC upgrades

Don't forget this is the last week you can get your older HTC device upgraded to Windows Mobile 6 - go to www.htc.com. This is also where you can get the latest ROM upgrade for your HTC device

To Omnia or not

Some of you know that my Touch Diamond was stolen at Dublin airport - Allegedly by the chap clearing tables who denied it - SO I am working with a Touch Dual. Not quite the ticket for the man who is on the Mobile Council thing that I am not allowed to talk about. So, my man Keith has been checking up on the Samsung Omnia for me - It has only 8GB but has an expansion slot which the Diamond didn't. As I've never had a Samsung I'm hesitating ! - watch this space

Experia X1

Sony Ericsson have released the Experia X1, a very smart phone indeed. I like the screen resolution. My friend from Sony Ericsson in Sweden demonstrated the X1's video capability to me the other week using the new Bond film. Very nice indeed. I'm not a keyboard man but this is as about as good a smartphone as you will find

Secret LG phone

Those chaps at El Reg, have published a sneaky preview of an LG device allegedly coming soon. Not my cup of tea, especially in the Royal Blue cover

HTC Touch Pro

El Reg has reviewed the HTC Touch Pro - the "Diamond with a keyboard". You can read it here. I'm committed to non-keyboard devices, but my man JR is hankering after this baby when the price comes down . Full review here

IPhone Trojan

I'm not sure that some people have though through the Iphone's security issues. Windows Mobile users in the enterprise usually have an Anti-virus policy which deals with security at the desktop or server level. When you sync, you have, therefore, less chance of getting a virus on your device. I know there is still a risk but it is lessened.

I'm not sure if I like the fact that the Iphone is open to ISteal (sorry, ITunes) vulnerability. After all, if your Ipod is infected , life is, well, manageable. if your phone goes down.......

Palm Treo Pro

We have loads of stuff on the launch of the new palm treo pro which looks like a really nice device (haven't handled one yet)

The Palm Treo Pro is ultra-thin, yet offers a new powerful processor, GPS navigation, AT&T HSDPA support and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. Have a look here

HTC Touch HD

The upcoming Touch HD looks very nice indeed. Windows Mobile 6.1 of course

There's a rather nice Youtube of it here and the tech specs are included in the video

Free bluetooth headset to anyone who can tell me the name of the rather heavy backing track

Cheers

HTC Up to the IPhone challenge

The boys at HTC are certainly fighting hard against the IPhone

I like the Iphone - very slick BUT you are tied in to a non-enterprise device. AND activated through I-Thieve (that's my title of the Apple site that actually takes money from you for tunes and videos and won't let you use them where you want, when you want)

The HD looks "very cool" See here for more new HTC devices. thanks to Keith for the link

New Asus Device

This looks interesting - Asus seem to have their act together at the moment. Certainly looks like a Windows Mobile device - rumour has it that this device is in production for O2 as a new XDA

We shall see

Barcode Check In

This is a very nice article from El reg on Qantas' new check in system

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/09/12/qantas_barcode_plane/

It's a very "Crimson Tide" type of Application and I'm challenging the guys here to get me an airline ( or a holiday camp!) to use it

Pocket Informant

I've uploaded Pocket Informant 8 into my HTC Diamond

The add- on for Widows Mobile is excellent and gives that extra functionality (particularly in the calendar) that WM does not quite provide. The customisability is excellent . You can download it here.

Asus p552w

Those people at Asus are quietly making a move into the mobile business. Have a look here for a review of the p552w which seems to have all the connectivity you need. I noticed a few Asus devices in the office the other day and thought they were quite cool.

Guitar Hero Mobile

I must admit the kids are enjoying RockBand on the xbox360 but i notice that Guitar Hero is available for Windows Mobile - more here.

I can just imagine a few buidding Eric Claptons on the train to London

HTC Touch Diamond

I've been using the Diamond for a month or two now - very impressed with the device and, surprisingly, battery life - especially with the new firmware. Just need to work on getting a few old friendly apps on it and I'll be well away. Even got some Springsteen on it (now where's that headset?)

A video here for your edification - here

New Wi-fi Palm 800

Our dear old friends at Palm have produced a Wi-fi Windows Mobile device. We have always liked Palm devices and have shipped a lot of treos in our time. this new one looks a winner to me.

By the way, we won a Blackjack II at WPC in Houston last week (in fact we won two) and this is a nice lightweight full qwerty phone too.

WPC Houston

Just back from WPC in Houston. A little low key compared to the launches in Denver last year. On the Windows Mobile front not much has progressed except maybe SCMDM. Had some good chates with the Windows Mobile people from EMEA and Redmond as well as meeting Senior UK people.

WM6.1 is a great advance and we expect a real push this year from Microsoft

Later,

Clint

Palm Centro

Palm recently launched its Centro smartphone. Light, easy to use, especially when typing emails, it is a compact, simple email phone. However it does lack certain advantages offered by other smartphones, it has a pretty slow data connection that, when coupled with the small screen, makes web browsing a chore.

Check out the specs for yourselves at http://www.palm.com/us/products/smartphones/centro/

SMS - Chat

Do you wish your text messages were threaded like Instant Messenger? Vito Technology have released SMS – Chat bringing threaded SMS conversations to Windows Mobile devices, meaning that you can easily scroll through an SMS conversation, delete the whole conversation or simply resend or forward the messages. No need to keep checking the sent items now!

Want to find out more? Check out http://iwindowsmobile.com/

Toshiba G710 and G910 devices

Toshiba have officially announced their G710 and G910 devices.

The G710 features built in GPS, Windows Mobile 6 and a full QWERTY keypad. The G910 also features built in GPS and Windows Mobile but additionally boasts a 3” high resolution wide screen.

Apparently these devices will be heading our way in early 2008, click below to read the press releases.

http://www.toshiba-europe.com/mobile/Mobile2Live.aspx?WCI=PageNavigate&WCE=&WCU=%3bLANG%3d1%3bPID%3d218%3bPNT%3d0

http://www.toshiba-europe.com/mobile/Mobile2Live.aspx?WCI=PageNavigate&WCE=&WCU=%3bLANG%3d1%3bPID%3d217%3bPNT%3d0

HTC Touch Dual

Here at crimson tide we are all really impressed with the HTC Touch Dual, its slim slider design is sleek and it is impressively light with excellent battery life. The TouchFlo scrolling system is easier to use than a scroll bar or stylus. It is definitely an improvement from the Touch, we can’t wait to get our hands on the Touch Cruise now!

Take a closer look at http://www.htctouch.com/

Mobile Phone Projectors

Some interesting news that has recently appeared is that 3M is planning on launching a mobile phone projector at some point this year. It will display images or videos up to 50in that are stored on its SD card. According to PC Pro 'little detail is sacrificed' on the presentations with 'Power point text appearing sharply'. Apparently it is targeted at the impromptu business presentation or for quickly sharing images. We will just have to wait until it is on the market to see how good the quality is!

Glofish X650

Happy New Year!


Well the new year has certainly begun as only five days ago E Ten announced the Glofish x650 stating that it offers 'the benefits of all in one connectivity, a VGA display and a stylish, ultra compact form factor.'

The higher resolution does allow a larger proportion of a document to appear on the screen and the higher pixels allow text, pictures and videos to look sharper. Without doubt the VGA touchscreen is definitely a bonus for this device.

The all-in-one connectivity solution comprises of worldwide GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS but lacks 3G, therefore relying on EDGE and Wi Fi for data transfer.

The device comes preloaded with E-TENs exclusive software suite including Mobile Shell, Namecard Manager and Backup Utility as well as Microsoft Office Mobile, Windows Live and other utilities

Other good features worth mentioning include the built in GPs receiver, FM Tuner and FM Transmitter, enabling the ability to listen to music in the car without any additional accessories.
Other specs are: Samsung SC3 500 MHz CPU, 256MB ROM and 64 MB RAM. It has a 2 MP camera with auto-focus, Bluetooth, and the microSD expansion slot. It measures 107×58x14.7 mm and weighs 136 g making it a pretty compact device.

You can read more about it at http://www.glofiish.com/index4.htm?no=x650