November 12th, 2008

Nokia working to reduce traffic congestion

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 7:08 am

Categories: Mobile software, BlackBerry, Nokia, On the road, mobile services, S60, Nseries

Tags: Nokia Corp., Nokia Research Center, Podcasts, Advertising & Promotion, Internet, Marketing, Matthew Miller, Mobile

I had a nice chat with Ross Lamont from Nokia this morning regarding the Nokia Legends campaign (my interview should be in the next MobileTechRoundup podcast) and he mentioned that their Mobile Millenium project highlighted on the Nokia Telegraph “virtual paper” was moving forward with a larger scale testing program. Nokia issued a press release announcing the launch of the pilot program that will collect and study traffic data received from GPS-enable mobile phones, particularly the N95, E71, and N96. Nokia Research Center is working with UC Berkeley and NAVTEQ on this project.

I mentioned before that the Dash Express personal navigation device collects user data and uses that to help provide you with localized traffic conditions. Most of the time you only see traffic status for major highways, like on Google Maps, but for many of us the other minor roads can be just as congested. This new Nokia program appears to work like the two-way communication on the Dash as Nokia will be gathering real-time information from those with the handsets in the testing program.

And for those of you who are worried that your personal location is now being tracked and monitored, the team has built safeguards into the system to keep individual device identifiers out of the transmitted traffic data.

Participation is open to anyone with a GPS-enabled mobile phone who live in this Northern California area. The pilot program is scheduled to run for four to six months with up to 10,000 participants. You can visit the Mobile Millenium project page to see what devices are supported and sign up for the program. The currently tested devices include the Nokia E71, E61i, N96, and N95 with the BlackBerry Curve and Pearl working as well.

September 14th, 2008

Check out the latest and greatest iPhone apps on a new aggregator site

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 8:19 pm

Categories: Mobile software, Apple, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Application, Apple Inc., RSS, Productivity, Digital Music, Digital Media, Internet, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics

There are a ton of applications available for the Apple iPhone and a couple months ago I posted my Top Ten favorite applications. The Apple iPhone App store has grown considerably since then and now there are thousands of applications available that make the store much more cumbersome to browse through. I was recently sent a link to a site that I find to be an invaluable tool for those who use 3rd party applications on their Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. Apptism indexes all the applications from the Apple iPhone App store and aggregates the latest news, reviews, and media related to the applications.

You will be able to filter apps by recent activity, most activity, popularity, newest releases, and updated applications. If you sign up for a free account you can actually manage the status and check out reviews for applications you have loaded on your device and add applications to a watch list. You will see star ratings, links to external reviews, and more. You can sort both free and commercial applications by category and price. It seems like a great way to stay on top of the latest and greatest applications and I have subscribed to the RSS feed.

September 11th, 2008

More thoughts and videos on the Samsung OMNIA, may be traded soon

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 7:30 am

Categories: Windows Mobile, Palm, Mobile software, Review

Tags: Touch Screen, Device, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Video, Corporate Communications, Keyboards, Monitors & Displays, Marketing, Hardware, Peripherals

While on my business trip to Singapore I picked up a white 16GB Samsung OMNIA Windows Mobile device and a couple days later offered my first impressions. I am still quite impressed with the device, but I am finding that I am leaning towards devices with integrated QWERTY keyboards and may soon be trading my OMNIA for a Palm Treo Pro (another device I recently wrote about). I took a couple of videos, included below, showing more functionality of the OMNIA and also offer a few more thoughts on using the device.

Samsung includes a few utilities that are quite useful and help set the device apart from the crowd of Windows Mobile devices. As I mentioned before, I particularly enjoy their podcatcher and video player. They also include a utility to edit videos right on the device and create slideshows from your photos. Check out the video below for a walk through the software applications and utilities included on the OMNIA.

Samsung includes a 5 megapixel camera with a flash light on the back of the OMNIA and this looks to be one of the best Windows Mobile cameras on the market today. As you can see in my video below there are lots of options in the software for capturing images and video.

I’ve been trying to use the HTC Touch Diamond and now the Samsung OMNIA as my main devices and what I keep finding is that I rarely text, send email, or write when I am using these touch screen devices. However, when I have a device like my BlackBerry Curve or the Treo Pro I text, email, create notes and appointments, and update Twitter and Facebook a TON more since I am quite adept at these QWERTY keyboards. Thus, I am working out a trade for a Treo Pro to swap with my Samsung OMNIA.

Like the iPhone, the OMNIA is a wonderful content consumption device (video watching, music listening) and with the 5 megapixel camera it also does a good job of offline creation. However, without 3G in the U.S. it is a bit limited in its connectivity and as someone with teenage daughters I just need something that lets me write faster and easier than a full touch screen device.

There are still no announcements about the OMNIA coming to the U.S., but there have been indications in the FCC that it is possible it could make its way here. Even then, I doubt I will go for it since I keep confirming that I am a hardware keyboard type of guy rather than a touch screen only guy.

 Loading …

September 11th, 2008

InScribe had sliding text entry a decade before Swype, what’s the big deal now?

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 7:10 am

Categories: Mobile software, Ultra portable PC, Gadgets, Tablet PC

Tags: Method, Swype, Keyboards, Productivity, Ultramobile PCs (UMPCs), Tablets, Hardware, Peripherals, Notebooks & Tablets, Emerging Technologies

TechCrunch50 was held this week and there was lots of excitement in the press about the Swype text input method. After checking out the Swype site I could have sworn I already saw this same technique used a few years ago where I even tried it out and wrote about it here on this blog. Ilium Software created the free InScribe text entry program back in 1997 and rereleased it 2006. Both methods appear to use the same slide across letters method to enter text. I contacted both companies to find out if it was developed by the same people and what the differences between the two input methods are since it looks to use the same technique. I’ll post an update if I get more information.

The InScribe text entry method also supports various layouts, such as Dvorak, Maltron, Staggered, etc. so it may actually be a bit more powerful for those who like to use something other than QWERTY. Other advanced features of InScribe that I don’t see in the demo video of Swype include transparency of the keyboard so you can see your work behind it, the option to tap on it just like a regular keyboard if you don’t want to swipe/slide across the keys (I read one statement that leads me to believe you may be able to just tap Swype as well), and the ability to adjust to your personal style.

It seems that people haven’t tried InScribe before if there is this much excitement about Swype. The Tablet PC/UMPC market is quite small and not really a growing segment of the PC market so I am also a bit surprised that touch text entry is getting so much press.

James let me know that the IBM Research Center had the SHARK text entry input method (later renamed to ShapeWriter) up and running in 2004 as well that used the same sliding across the screen method.

September 11th, 2008

Manage your calendar and team members with Franklin Covey FCmobilelife on your phone

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 5:30 am

Categories: Windows Mobile, Mobile software, BlackBerry, On the road, mobile services, HTC

Tags: Team, Phone, Team Member, Post Functionality, Team Management, Management, Matthew Miller

Nokia just made their Sync on Ovi service available for those of you with S60 devices who want to sync you PIM data (calendar, contacts, tasks, etc.) to a server and have it backed up and secure. You also have the choice to use an Exchange, or hosted Exchange service, or a BlackBerry service for this functionality. I was reading Mobility Site and the words Franklin Covey caught my attention since I used these planners for years before discovering my first Palm Pilot. I am not sure how long Franklin Covey has been offering this server sync/backup solution, but they now have a free version that is limited to yourself and one team member.

The FCmobilelife solution models the old paper planners I used to use with the ability to manage your schedule, tasks, goals, and team members. The software works with both BlackBerry and Windows Mobile 5/6 devices. The solution is completely separate from your system PIM data though so you have to use this system to enter in your calendar if you want to take full advantage of this planner system. With the price of free, it looks to be a great alternative to syncing and backing up your data, especially if you are a Franklin Covey fan.

In addition to accessing your data on a mobile device, you can go to the web browser version on any PC, Mac, or Linux box to manage your data as well.

The Post functionality allows you to communicate with team members through a private system where you can send voice, text, and photos to others. If you want more than one person on your team, you need to look at the subscription options that have monthly (US$9.95) or yearly (US$99.50) fees with unlimited team member support.

Have any readers tried using this FCmobilelife solution?

September 11th, 2008

Yahoo! oneConnect comes to iPhone first

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 3:30 am

Categories: Mobile software, Apple, mobile services, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Yahoo! Inc., Social Networking, Microsoft Windows, Advertising & Promotion, Handhelds, Operating Systems, Online Communications, Marketing, Software

I was quite excited about Yahoo oneConnect when I was able to play with it a bit back in February at Mobile World Congress and have been checking the Yahoo site regularly to see the launch of the S60 or Windows Mobile versions. Yahoo was showing off the S60 client at MWC so I expected to see it on the N78 or N96 first. I was just thinking about the service yesterday and then today I see that they made the iPhone version available first as a preview version. I am a bit disappointed since the iPhone is limited in the ability to run applications in the background and think a better experience would have been possible with S60, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile.

With the iPhone preview you will find the phone book integrates your Yahoo! Address Book, iPhone contacts, and social network contacts. The current supported social networks include Bebo, Flickr, MySpace, Dopplr, Friendster, Twitter, Facebook, hi5, and YouTube. The application does look great on the iPhone and I may have to pull my original iPhone away from its dock (it serves up Pandora music to our home audio system and doesn’t leave the dock often) and try it out myself.

I understand that oneConnect is supposed to eventually be a part of Yahoo! Go 3.0 so hopefully it will be coming on other devices soon. I do use Yahoo! Go 3.0 on my BlackBerry Curve and S60 devices.

September 10th, 2008

Google launches Google Mobile App for BlackBerry devices

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 2:47 pm

Categories: Mobile software, Smartphone, BlackBerry

Tags: Google Inc., Mobile, RIM BlackBerry, Handhelds, Hardware, Matthew Miller

My BlackBerry Curve is now my main T-Mobile phone and I find that the 3rd party application support is just what I need to get things done and be productive. Google sent me an email to let me know that the Google Mobile App for BlackBerry devices is now available for free by visiting m.google.com from your BlackBerry browser.

As stated on the Google blog, you will get the following with this new Google App:

They also give you a link to steps to take so you can assign the Google Mobile App to a convenience key on your device. I am going to go download and try it out right now.

September 9th, 2008

Sync your calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Sync on Ovi and your Nokia device

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 12:06 pm

Categories: Symbian, Mobile software, Smartphone, Nokia, On the road, mobile services, S60

Tags: Device, Nokia Corp., Ovi, E-mail, Advertising & Promotion, Desktops, Web Browsers, Online Communications, Marketing, Hardware

Apple’s MobileMe has not been as reliable as hoped for and is specific to the Apple iPhone. Nokia is getting into the game of consumer-focused backup/synchronization by offering services through their Ovi initiative. The latest module to be added to Ovi is Sync that syncs your calendar, contacts, to-do list/tasks, and notes between the Nokia server and your compatible mobile device. At this time, there is no cost for this service while it is in free public beta mode and it isn’t clear if there will be a fee in the future.

Setup for Sync on Ovi was drop dead simple and all I did was select my device, the E71, and then enter my mobile phone number as I walked through the wizard. A configuration file was sent via text message and then the settings were saved in the Sync conduit area on the device. I then simply selected sync and everything was backed up on the Nokia server. You can acccess and manager your data via a web browser on a Mac or PC (or other device with a browser). My contact photos were not synced over from my device.

If you already use Mail for Exchange or another sync solution you will want to turn it off and be careful or you may end up with lost data or duplicates. The great thing about this solution is that you can easily get your data back on a device if it is lost or you switch devices.

IMHO, the major bummer about this new Sync on Ovi service is that you can’t sync to Outlook, Google Calendar, etc. and must use the Nokia services. Data is also only synced when you take action and is not pushed. James posted some more great thoughts on what he would like to see in Ovi.

Sync on Ovi is designed for PIM synchronization while the new beta Nokia Email service syncs your email. Nokia also has Files on Ovi (based on Avvenu technology) that allows you to backup and access files from your web browser or your device and this is a subscription service with a monthly or annual fee.

Share on Ovi lets you manage photos and video content too so with Ovi you can get a complete, yet still a bit disjointed (Nokia Email is a separate client, Files is a fee-based service, the icons along to top of Ovi sites show different modules and should all be the same to easily move through each module), experience for ensuring your most important information is backed up and always accessible.

The new Nokia Ovi Suite for PC application (Outlook-like application) looks like a great way to manage your device and content with a PC based application. The Nokia site states that a Mac client is comine soon, which is excellent news considering there never was a Nokia PC Suite for the Mac before.

If I was only using my Nokia E71 or N95 then I would probably stick with just these Nokia solutions. However, I also use Windows Mobile, iPhone, and Palm devices and think my hosted Exchange solution is still the best for me right now. Since most people are not like me with all of these devices, I think these Ovi services are excellent solutions for consumers and based on some of my initial trials, the services are working quite well.

September 8th, 2008

eWallet for iPhone desktop syncing client now available

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 8:01 am

Categories: Mobile software, Apple, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Microsoft Windows, Desktops, Operating Systems, Software, Hardware, Matthew Miller

I’ve been using eWallet on my Palm and Windows Mobile devices for a couple of years and it was one of the first applications I purchased for my iPhone on the App Store. I was pleased to get a note today that eWallet for the iPhone has been upgraded with desktop sync support.

There are different options for getting the Windows client (Mac client not yet available). If you already own eWallet for iPhone then you can pay US$9.95 to get the desktop companion. If you already own eWallet 6.0 or 6.1 for Windows then you can upgrade for free. If you own an earlier version of eWallet for Windows, then you too can upgrade for US$9.95. Programs like these are essential to pair with a desktop client so you can easily get all of your data into the program that you then primarily use on your mobile device.

BTW, I see that ListPro is coming soon and that is my preferred simple database program on my devices so it will be great to see on the iPhone.

September 4th, 2008

Qik streaming service comes to HTC Windows Mobile devices

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 10:11 am

Categories: Windows Mobile, Mobile software, mobile services, HTC

Tags: High Tech Computer Corp., Device, Mobile, Qik, Web Site Development, Web Technology, Digital Video, Advertising & Promotion, Internet, Personal Technology

I started using Qik on Nokia Nseries devices, then tried it on the Blackjack II, and finally on my original Apple iPhone. I just received a note that Qik’s live video streaming service is now available on several more Windows Mobile devices from HTC. The particular devices listed include the Touch Dual, Touch Diamond, TyTN II, Tilt, and SE XPERIA X1.

While I enjoy using Qik, I also use multiple devices from different operating systems and don’t like that I have to deactivate and then reactivate each time I switch devices. I think a large number of people using Qik at this time are early adopters who tend to have multiple devices and hope that better support for multiple devices comes in the future.

While not officially listed, I tried to test Qik out on my new Samsung OMNIA and the Palm Treo Pro (HTC is the manufacturer) and a message popped up in the browsers that said my device was not yet supported.