The Mobile Gadgeteer

Zune firmware update 1.3 now available

Zune update version 1.3 is a firmware update that fixes existing problems on the device without offering any new features. The fix was released with little fanfare, which makes sense because it would just highlight some of the issues the device is having. Enthusiasts are still holding out for a firmware update that brings some real features to the Zune, but after 5 months there still isn't any solid confirmation that these features are coming anytime soon.

March 29, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Truphone extends free VoIP to landline phone offer

In my blog entry on VoIP services on Nokia S60 devices I discussed a bit of my experiences with Truphone. At that time Truphone was offering free calls to landlines until 31 March, but I just saw the news that this offer has been extended until 30 June and includes free calls to 40 countries. If you have a compatible S60 smartphone then I highly recommend you give it a try. I just wish the Nokia N80ie battery would last longer than a few hours so I could use the service more than I already do. You can also talk to people and receive calls from them via Google Talk so your friends and family don't even need a S60 device to call you via Truphone.

March 29, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Networking

MobileTechRoundup show #94, CeBIT UMPC roundup

In show #94 we chatted a bit about CeBIT and the UMPC devices that were announced at the show in Germany. We gave our thoughts on models we liked and what 2007 may bring for the UMPC. James revealed that he picked up a MacBook Pro as a desktop replacement and he talked about testing out Vista on a Mac. We are all on Twitter and actually took a live Twitter question during the show to comment on in regards to mobile Twitter clients.

March 27, 2007 by Matthew Miller in CEBIT

CTIA 2007: Bluetooth 2.1+EDR spec released with improved pairing enhancements

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) issued a couple of press releases at CTIA Wireless 2007. The first showcases the new Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR specification that includes improved pairing and lower power consumption features. The second press release provides results from a recent study on the awareness of Bluetooth technology, which continues to grow each year.

March 27, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Networking

CTIA 2007: Sony Ericsson announces new Java Platform 8 and new Walkman phone

CTIA Wireless 2007 is taking place in Florida this week with some famous keynote speakers. A ton of mobile news should be coming out this week and Sony Ericsson's announcements included a new HSDPA clamshell phone and a new Walkman phone. They also revealed that the new Z750 will be running the latest Java Platform 8 operating system with advanced security features.

March 26, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

HTC announces the Shift Windows Vista ultra portable computer

HTC manufacturers some of the best Windows Mobile devices and has several in the pipeline for 2007 as previously revealed at 3GSM. CTIA is now taking place in Florida and HTC shocked me a bit with the announcement of the upcoming HTC Shift device that runs Windows Vista. The HTC Shift specs include a 7 inch widescreen touch display, tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, 30GB hard drive and innovative QWERTY keyboard with a cool sliding mechanism. The other cool part of the announcement today is that the HTC Shift will be sold as an unlocked device here in the U.S. in the 3rd quarter of 2007. Pricing information was not revealed and it will be interesting to see where it falls into the UMPC market.

March 26, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Successor to the HTC TyTN emerges with unique sliding keyboard

Many new Phone Edition/Professional devices were announced at 3GSM, but another device that I read about on the excellent Howard Forums site has just appeared in the HTC lineup. PDAdb.net has all the specs of this device which state a release date of June 2007. The HTC P4550 (Kaiser) sports Windows Mobile 6 Professional, 256 MB ROM, 64MB RAM, 2.8 inch 240x320 display, quad band GSM/UMTS/EDGE/HSDPA/HSUPA wireless radio, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11 b/g, 2.8 megapixel camera, and integrated GPS radio. While these may be standard specs for the new Windows Mobile high end devices, the unique aspect that caught my attention was the way the display slid up and at an angle to reveal the full QWERTY keyboard.

March 23, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Excitement for the Nokia N95 is on the rise

Nokia issued a press release announcing that the long-anticipated Nokia N95 is finally shipping to select countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Unfortunately, there is no word or speculation on a U.S. release so I'll have to look to a U.S. importer to get one for myself. Rafe and Steve posted some thoughts on unboxing a production Nokia N95 and the box is reminiscient of an Apple designed package.The Nokia N95 multimedia computer (Nokia's term for these high end Nseries devices) sports a high speed 3G radio, integrated Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11 b/g WiFi radios, 160MB internal memory, large 2.6 inch QVGA display, 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and video capability up to 30 fps at VGA (640x480) resolution, FM radio, integrated GPS radio with Nokia Maps software, standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, and S60 3rd Edition operating system. It has a cool dual slider display to reveal a phone keypad in one direction and multimedia buttons in the other direction. The device is very similar in size to the Nokia N80 and packs quite a bit into a small package.

March 22, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft

GotVoice makes voicemail fun and functional

Most people either dread voicemail or just accept it as a necessary drudgery. GotVoice is a Voice 2.0 service that takes voicemail to the next level and gives you a ton of functionality and lots of customization options that make voicemail something fun to play with and manage. Most all of the functionality is available now for free and there is a premium option available for a bit more functionality. Check out the service screenshots and give it a try today.

March 18, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Collaboration

New S60 business blog launched

I am a big S60 mobile phone fan and just saw that Dean Andrews, author of 101 Cool Smartphone Techniques, launched a new blog on the S60 site. His new blog is titled Business 2GO and is focused on the enterprise market. Check out the blog to find news, resources, and tips to help you take your business on the road with S60.

March 16, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft

Is Twitter popular because no one has "real" friends who text message?

A study released last summer showed that countries in Europe were using 70 to 85% of their data consumption to send text messages while here in the U.S. people were only using 36% of their data consumption to do so. I know I personally only have a couple family members and friends that even have text messaging on their phones and rarely ever send direct text messages. 99% of my person-to-person text messages are to and from my daughters. I think Twitter now gives people a simple way to send text messages and reach all sorts of new "friends". Is Twitter popular because people finally have a reason to send text messages?

March 15, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Social Media

Collect GPS location data with the free Nokia Sports Tracker software

Mobile devices can be used to improve productivity and are essential for keeping you in touch with your business contacts, but you can also use them for entertainment and now for helping manage your daily fitness regime. I was checking out my RSS feeds and saw that All About Symbian posted on the new free Nokia Sports Tracker application suite. Nokia has a similar application in their 5000 Sport device and now are offering it for free to owners of the latest Nokia S60 3rd Edition devices, including most of the Nseries and Eseries models. The Nokia Sport Tracker software allows you to connect your mobile device to a GPS receiver and use it to record location-based data. Speed, distance, and time are stored automatically to your training diary and you can then export your excercise route to Google Earth. The Nokia E-series blog has more details on the application and its usage.

March 14, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft

Details of the Samsung Q2 UMPC emerge

The Samsung Q1 was the first UMPC to hit the market and is probably the most popular model available. After seeing the details of the new Samsung Q2 UMPC, my Q1 will be up for sale shortly so I can pick this one up instead. The Q2 has native 1024 x 600 WSVGA resolution, a unique QWERTY thumb keyboard, two integrated cameras, a larger 60GB hard drive, and a faster Intel CPU along with many other new and upgraded features. It still sports the multimedia powerhouse functions and has just about everything you could need, but integrated GPS.

March 8, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Samsung

Apply Daylight Saving Time updates to all your mobile devices

On 8 August 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This Act changed the time change dates for Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. Beginning in 2007, DST begins on the second Sunday in March, this Sunday 11 March, and ends the first Sunday in November. This change in DST requires that every computer, mobile device, many software applications, servers, or other piece of electronic gear that automatically updates its time based on the old settings apply an update. There are updates for Windows PCs, Apple computers, Windows Mobile devices, Symbian devices, Palm OS devices, and BlackBerry devices.

March 7, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Details emerge that the Vulcan FlipStart is actually a real device

The Vulcan FlipStart ultramobile PC is one of a few devices, like the DualCor CPC, that were announced a couple of years ago and then became vaporware that only had occasional rumors bringing it back to life. According to a Crave article it appears that the FlipStart is actually going to be released soon. The Vulcan FlipStart E-1001S is a full Windows XP PC similar to the Sony UX series, but with a flip-open display revealing a keyboard rather than a slide-up display. Rumored specs have the device sporting a Pentium M CPU, 30GB hard drive, 512MB RAM, 5.6 inch 1024x600 display, and EV-DO WWAN support. For the US$1,999 price it better also have integrated WiFi and Bluetooth.

March 6, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

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