This Week in Mobility #77

“Be forever curiously testing new opinions and courting new impressions.”
~Walter Pater 

Tips
1. Custom Caller ID?
2. BB Tip: How to Autodial Your Bridge # + Extension + Admin Code
3. Workaround: AT&T Conference Autodial from an AT&T BB
BlackBerry
4. RIM Unveils GSM-Flavored BlackBerry Bold 9700
5. BlackBerry Bluetooth Watch Accessory Expected
6. RIM Touts BlackBerry Storm2 as Developer Device
7. Jones Lang LaSalle to BoxTone Management Tools for BlackBerry
iPhone
8. The iPhone Gets a Solid Video Editor
9. 7.4 Million iPhones Sold in 3Q 09
10. Nokia Sues Apple over Alleged Patent Infringements
Windows Mobile
11. Windows Mobile 7 Screenshots Leaked
12. Ballmer: Zune is Coming to Next Windows Mobile
Android
13. Android 2.0 Screenshots & Features
14. Droid Momentum Builds
15. Google Making its Own Smartphone?
Other News
16. Will Your Phone Work with Windows 7?
17. Mobile Boarding Passes Roll Out to More Airports
18. First Methanol Cell Charger Launched 
19. Enterprise to Consume 58% of Mobile Internet by 2014

“Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.”
~Gail Godwin 

Tips

1. Custom Caller ID?

Informal Poll:  Do you have a business need to customize your cell phone’s caller id?  For example, would you want it to read “Bank of America” or “Merrill Lynch”? 

2. BB Tip: How to Autodial Your Bridge # + Extension + Admin Code

Last week, I suggested you use your BB contacts to automate hosting your conference call.  This week RIM revealed a little known technique that works from anywhere (BB calendar, email, and contacts).  They key is to start with “Tel:”, as in…

Tel:8666578888,,2188888#,,*,,8888#,,1

 “Dear Diary, peanut butter cookies with milk chocolate chips?! You betcha, cause I’MMMMM worth it! Despite my deadly allergy to-“

~Brian Huskey 

3. Workaround: AT&T Conference Autodial from an AT&T BB

At BAC, there is a year old bug between AT&T cells (including BBs) and the AT&T tele-conferencing network.  What happens is that after dialing, you never hear a ring tone, it just connects, so if you setup the autodial (mentioned in the earlier tip), the cell phone is waiting for the ring tone, and never dials your extension.  David Lampert reminded me of a workaround:
·        Go to Phone options
·        Go to Smart Dialing
·        At the bottom there is a section labeled “To access extensions in all other corporations, call the number, then Wait for:”
·        For this option select “My Response”
·        Now you will be prompted to add the extension so you can dial into the bridge just by pressing one button.

BlackBerry

4. RIM Unveils GSM-Flavored BlackBerry Bold 9700

Research In Motion (RIM) announced the BlackBerry Bold 9700 for 3G GSM networks, namely AT&T and T-Mobile USA in the United States. Some specs: full-qwerty keyboard, BlackBerry OS 5.0, built-in Wi-Fi (with support for Wi-Fi calling via UMA where available), 3.2MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording, GPS and up to 32GB of expandable memory.

Wireless Week / Reuters / AT&T

5. BlackBerry Bluetooth Watch Accessory Expected

Rumor is that it has been designed specifically for use with BlackBerry Smartphones, and features a “big, bright and beautiful” OLED screen with solid battery life, and it will show you notifications and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry. CrackBerry

6. RIM Touts BlackBerry Storm2 as Developer Device

RIM is touting its new BlackBerry Storm2 as a hot device for developers, as the BlackBerry OS 5.0 is the first smartphone operating system from RIM to support Google Gears and SQLite for BlackBerry Widgets. eWeek 

7. Jones Lang LaSalle to BoxTone Management Tools for BlackBerry

Real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle in Chicago is gearing up to deploy advanced BlackBerry management tools to better monitor its mobile devices. The BoxTone software gives the information technology department a heads-up when there is a problem with server software. Computerworld 

iPhone

8. The iPhone Gets a Solid Video Editor

The iPhone recently got a video editing tool: ReelDirector.  It looks terrific.

9. 7.4 Million iPhones Sold in 3Q 09

Demand for the iPhone 3GS reportedly exceeded expectations. New $999 MacBook also announced, but tablet rumors remain unconfirmed. 

10. Nokia Sues Apple over Alleged Patent Infringements

Nokia and Apple could be headed to court after the world’s largest handset maker sued the consumer-electronics giant in federal court Thursday on allegations that the iPhone has infringed on 10 of Nokia’s patents dealing with technology that connects cell phones to wireless networks. Wall Street Journal / Reuters / New York Times

Windows Mobile

11. Windows Mobile 7 Screenshots Leaked

We’re still about one year ahead of seeing the first Windows Mobile 7 phones launched, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a look at what Microsoft’s next mobile OS will bring. Unwired 

12. Ballmer: Zune is Coming to Next Windows Mobile

In a 40min interview with Engadget MS CEO said Windows Mobile will feature Zune integration. 

Android

13. Android 2.0 Screenshots & Features

If this is true, Android 2.0 is going to be awesome. Boy Genius

14. Droid Momentum Builds

The suspense over Verizon Wireless’ release date of the Droid phone is building, with Droid devotees getting a teaser on a Web site referring to a date as early as next week. Wireless Week 

15. Google Making its Own Smartphone?

Google is developing a self-branded smartphone for release this year that it will market exclusively through retailers, according to a report at TheStreet.com 

Other News

16. Will Your Phone Work with Windows 7?

Windows 7’s Device Stage promises a great mobile syncing experience, but PCMag found it to be a total failure. Here’s what you need to know. PCMag

17. Mobile Boarding Passes Roll Out to More Airports

At many US airports, customers scan their cell phone screens when going through security and when boarding just as they would a traditional paper boarding pass.  Airlines using this technology are American, Continental, Delta, and Alaska Airlines. NYTimes

18. First Methanol Cell Charger Launched

Toshiba ended years of research and development in finally introducing a charger in Japan today based on technology called direct methanol fuel cell, or DMFC, which can power up batteries in cell phones and digital cameras via USB connections. PC World 

19. Enterprise to Consume 58% of Mobile Internet by 2014

Informa predicts the number of enterprise subscribers will grow steadily over the next several years to account for 11.7 percent of total mobile subscribers — and generating revenues of $92.6 billion — by 2014. Enterprise-related mobile Internet usage will see particularly strong uptake in North America, with such revenues overtaking those from enterprise mobile messaging in 2012 and accounting for 58 percent of overall mobile enterprise revenues by 2014. GigaOm

This Week in Mobility #76

“The future is here. It’s just not widely distributed yet.”
~William Gibson

Tip
1. How to Keep Outlook and BB E-mail in Sync
BlackBerry
2. BlackBerry Bold 9700 Appears at T-Mobile Germany
3. Vodafone’s BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Coming October 26
iPhone
4. Apple to Allow in In-App Purchases for Free Apps
5. PCMag’s Readers Crown the iPhone King
Windows Mobile
6. Microsoft Says It Can Restore Wiped Sidekick Data
Android
7. Android Provides Foundation for Next-Gen Google
Other News
8. Time Warner Cable to Offer 4G in N.C.
9. Global Turmoil Barely Dents Mobile Sector

“When you build bridges you can keep crossing them.”
~Rick Pitino 

Tip 

1. How to Keep Outlook and BB E-mail in Sync

 

On your BB, open “Messages”, click the menu button, select Options > Email Reconciliation > Wireless Reconcile = On > Also, I like Delete
On = Prompt  

BlackBerry 

2. BlackBerry Bold 9700 Appears at T-Mobile Germany

The features of BlackBerry Bold 9700 include a 480 x 360 pixels display, optical trackpad, full QWERTY keyboard, HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, 3.2MP camera, 1500 mAh battery, and a 2GB card in the box.  The 9700 is slightly smaller than the original Bold, measuring 109 x 60 x 14 millimeters (as opposed to 116 x 66 x 14 mm).  Engadget 

3. Vodafone’s BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Coming October 26

Vodafone’s Storm2 (model name 9520) will be available in the following countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy and South Africa.  As expected, the new Storm comes with a significantly improved SurePress technology, which should let you easily control the 3.25 inch, 360 x 480 pixels capacitive touchscreen display.  Here are the main features of BlackBerry Storm2 9520:
– BlackBerry OS 5
– Quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM
– UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz)
– Wi-Fi
– GPS
– 3.5mm headset jack
– Vodafone music client pre-installed
– 3.2MP camera with autofocus and flash
– 256MB Flash memory
– MicroSD card support, up to 32GB
Vodafone 

iPhone 

4. Apple to Allow in In-App Purchases for Free Apps

 In a surprising reversal, Apple announced a game changer for it app developers. According to an e-mail sent to developers, Apple will now allow in-app purchases for free apps.  WirelessWeek

5. PCMag’s Readers Crown the iPhone King

Despite rumblings from some iPhone users about how Apple’s
exclusive contract with AT&T as service provider for the iPhone should end, respondents in PCMag.com’s 2009 Cell Phone Service & Reliability study have crowned it king of the mobile market. GigaOm

Windows Mobile

6. Microsoft Says It Can Restore Wiped Sidekick Data

 There may be a happy ending after all for owners of Sidekick phones who thought they might have permanently lost contact numbers and
other personal information they had put on the gadget.

Android 

7. Android Provides Foundation for Next-Gen Google

A year ago, there was only one Android device out there: the T-Mobile G-1. Today, Android is powering 12 devices in 26 countries with 32 carriers – and there are more on the way.  ZDNet

Other News 

8. Time Warner Cable to Offer 4G in N.C..

Time Warner Cable’s first launch of its 4G wireless network
is set for Dec. 1 in the North Carolina communities of Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh. Wireless Week

9. Global Turmoil Barely Dents Mobile Sector

Strong demand in emerging nations has kept the mobile-phone
industry growing despite the global recession, according to a new United Nations report out of the International Telecommunication Union. The ITU predicted cell phone subscriptions would jump 15% this year compared with a year earlier with 3.2 billion of the world’s 4.6 billion mobile base emanating from poorer countries. Financial Times

This Week in Mobility #75

“A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.”
~James Joyce 

BlackBerry
1. Vonage Releases Calling App for iPhone, BlackBerry
2. T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Enterprise Drive with RIM’s MVS
3. Blackberry Tour 2 (Essex) & The Hybrid (Magnum) Dakota’s Camera
4. New Widget SDK for the BlackBerry
5. BlackBerry RSS
iPhone
6. AT&T and Apple to Allow iPhone VoIP Apps
7. App May Mark Big Step Forward for Augmented Reality
Windows Mobile
8. Windows Marketplace for Mobile Debuts with 246 Applications
9. AT&T, HTC Unveil WM 6.5 Smartphones
10. iSuppli Predicts Windows Mobile to Triple by 2013
11. “I certainly don’t buy iSuppli’s recent forecast”
4G News
12. Salem, Ore., Gets 4G from Comcast
13. LTE Mobile Broadband Will Deliver 20Mbps Download Speeds
Android
14. Verizon and Google Android Partnership
15. Android to Be No. 2 Mobile OS by 2012?
Other News
16. Powermat: A Wireless Charging Tool for BB, iPhone, and DS
17. Adobe Announces Flash for Phones
18. U.S. Mobile Data: 31% Increase from Last Year
19. Kemplar & Strauss Claims Smallest Watch Phone
20. The Mobile Phone: A History in Pictures

 

“Be sincere; be brief; be seated.”
~Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

BlackBerry

1. Vonage Releases Calling App for iPhone, BlackBerry

Vonage, a pioneer in Internet-based home phone service, is launching applications for the iPhone (cell & Wi-Fi) and BlackBerry (cell only)  that undercut the international calling rates of major wireless carriers.WirelessWeek /eWeek

2. T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Enterprise Drive with RIM’s MVS

T-Mobile USA is teaming with RIM’s MVS service to offer a Wi-Fi-based service for businesses to replace landline phones with BlackBerry handsets and help businesses consume fewer wireless minutes.CIO /Reuters /Pocket-lint

3. Blackberry Tour 2 (Essex) & The Hybrid (Magnum) Dakota’s Camera

The Tour 2 is being disguised with the code-name ‘Essex’. Essex will replace the current Tour very early 2010 (likely January or February). It is expected the Tour 2 will add WiFi, a trackpad and an improved camera.

The Blackberry Dakota, previously known as the “Magnum” will feature a camera lens with new “liquid lens” technology. This new tech is supposed to use a couple different types of liquids to mimic the human eye’s ability to focus on objects.  The Dakota should be a hybrid GSM device, meaning it will have both physical keyboard and touchscreen.Crackberry

4. New Widget SDK for the BlackBerry

RIM announced a new BlackBerry Widget Software Development Kit (SDK) to enable developers to build rich, integrated applications for BlackBerry smartphones using common Web technologies rather than being forced to use Java.eWeek

5. BlackBerry RSS

Below is a link to a complete list of BlackBerry RSS feeds that you may subscribe to for ‘breaking news’ from BlackBerry.

http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/cust/rss_subscribe.jsp.

iPhone

6. AT&T and Apple to Allow iPhone VoIP Apps

AT&T reversed course today, announcing that it would “take the steps necessary” so iPhone owners could run VoIP applications, presumably including Google Voice and Skype.InfoWorld /Wall Street Journal /Reuters /Washington Post /ZDNet

7. App May Mark Big Step Forward for Augmented Reality

Layar has been submitted to the iPhone app store. Layar’s flashy platform displays all kinds of different data sets, from Yelp reviews to Trulia real-estate listings, on top of the phone’s camera view.  The current degree of refinement in GPS and map accuracy in the US may need to evolve further before you can reliably stand in front of a place, point an Augmented Reality app at it and get the information you’re looking for – but big picture, nearby information is available now. New York Times /cellular-news

Windows Mobile

8. Windows Marketplace for Mobile Debuts with 246 Applications

Microsoft’s mobile apps online store launches with a small number of apps in comparison to the tens of thousands available on Apple’s App Store.InfoWorld

9. AT&T, HTC Unveil WM 6.5 Smartphones

Touch screen smart phones are nothing new, but the introduction of the Pure and Tilt 2 is worth noting; they’re the first two phones to feature Microsoft’s updated mobile operating system: Windows Mobile 6.5.  The good news is that the mobile OS looks and works a lot better than its predecessor. The bad news, the guts remain the same. Details in this blog post.Gearlog /Yahoo

10. iSuppli Predicts Windows Mobile to Triple by 2013

With Microsoft’s Windows Mobile launch of the latest wireless operating system 6.5, a new iSuppli survey predicts Windows Mobile will triple in use by 2013, enabling the OS to claim the No. 2 global spot.Financial Times /InternetNews

11. “I certainly don’t buy iSuppli’s recent forecast”

Nearly lost in the hubbub about the Android/Verizon tie-up today is the news that Microsoft has launched Windows Marketplace for Mobile. But as the superphone phenomenon gets legs, has Microsoft’s opportunity to regain relevance already passed?GigaOm

4G News

12. Salem, Ore., Gets 4G from Comcast

Comcast has introduced 4G-based wireless Internet service in Salem, Ore. The service, which is called High-Speed 2go, also is available in Portland, Ore., and Atlanta and will be launched by the end of the year in Chicago, Philadelphia and other cities.CEDMagazine

13. LTE Mobile Broadband Will Deliver 20Mbps Download Speeds

When the first LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks and devices are launched next year, users can expect to see a download speed of about 20 Mbps, according to Motorola and ZTE. InfoWorld

Android

14. Verizon and Google Android Partnership

Google’s tie-up with Verizon Wireless to develop and deploy Android-based software and services not only provided the Google unit its biggest partner to date, but will likely spur developers and smartphone makers to kick-start their Android projects, according to industry analysts. Analysts expect Verizon Wireless to introduce Android phones this month from Motorola, HTC and Samsung.Telephony Online /BusinessWeek /eWeek

15. Android to Be No. 2 Mobile OS by 2012?

Google’s Android operating system is set for iPhone-trajectory sales over the next few years, Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney said in a report yesterday from Computerworld, and will be the second-ranking smartphone OS globally by 2012. Gartner predicts Android’s share of the smartphone market will grow to 14 percent from less than 2 percent in the next three years as Symbian’s slide from dominance continues.GigaOm /ComputerWorld /PCWorld

Other News

16. Powermat: A Wireless Charging Tool for BB, iPhone, and DS

Sorry, this doesn’t support the BB Tour yet, but does support the iPhone, DS, Bold, 8300, 8900, & Pearl.  Each Powermat has 3 wireless docks that link to a component you attach to your device.  Pretty cool, especially if you have 3 of these devices! Powermat

17. Adobe Announces Flash for Phones

We can do a lot with our smartphones, but stumble onto a Flash- driven Web site and you’ll soon learn the limitations of your favorite portable device. Adobe made some announcements today that could change all that. It’s promising Flash for Windows Mobile and Web OS phones (not for iPhone browser yet). In tandem with that, other manufacturers like RIM are making rumblings about future Flash support. This is very good news and could take mobile phones to the next level.PCMag /Wireless Week

18. U.S. Mobile Data: 31% Increase from Last Year

U.S. mobile data revenues surpassed $19.4 billion in the first half of 2009, a 31 percent increase over the year-ago period, and data accounted for more than 25 percent of all wireless service revenues, according to the CTIA’s semi-annual industry survey. The report, which was released in conjunction with the kickoff of the International CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment conference today in San Diego, also noted that text messaging continues to gain traction at a breakneck pace, with Americans sending 4.1 billion messages a day from their phones — nearly doubling SMS activity from the first half of 2008.GigaOm

19. Kemplar & Strauss Claims Smallest Watch Phone

The W Phone is claimed to be the world’s smallest watch phone.  It still manages to pack in a touchscreen, microSD (with 4 GB internal storage), MP3 player, built-in camera with video record, and games.  It uses Bluetooth and comes included with its own Communicator Bluetooth headset.  If you don’t want to use a headset you can opt for the in-car stereo option if your car allows.  It will be an unlocked GSM phone that’s sold for $199.Kempler & Strauss / Unwired

20. The Mobile Phone: A History in Pictures

Take a stroll down memory lane and see the evolution of the mobile phone, from its humble beginnings with the Motorola DynaTAC in 1983 to the Apple iPhone 3GS in 2009! PCWorld

This Week in Mobility #74

 “Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
~Margaret Mead

 Tips
1. BB Tip:  Forget Typing, Send a Voice Note
2. BB Tip:  Use Voice Notes for Ring Tones
3. BB PIN in BB Contacts
BlackBerry
4. Study: BlackBerry Can Make Firms Much More Productive
5. BlackBerry 3^rd in Customer Satisfaction
6. BlackBerry YouTube Channel
7. Desktop Manager for Mac Downloadable on October 2
8. TiVo for BlackBerry
9. REDFLY: A Smartphone KVM Terminal for BlackBerry
10. The World’s Most Expensive BlackBerry
iPhone
11. Apple’s App Store Passes 2B Downloads
Windows Mobile
12. Did Ballmer say Microsoft ‘screwed up’ with Windows Mobile?
4G News
13. Ericsson Eyes 2010 LTE DoCoMo Deal
14. Sprint Road Map: WiMAX Head Start for Strong 4G Branding
Other News
15. Sat/Cell Phone from AT&T
16. Orb for MyCasting from Your Home PC
17. Feds Crackdown on Texting While Driving
18. Next for Wi-Fi: High-Speed Device Connectivity 

“Immigration is the sincerest form of flattery.”
~Jack Paar 

Tips 

1. BB Tip:  Forget Typing, Send a Voice Note 

On the newer BlackBerry devices, from the main menu, go to Applications, then the Voice Notes Recorder.  Record your message, rename the file, and then e-mail it.  If you are e-mailing it to another BlackBerry user, then no problem.  Unfortunately, the recording saves as an .AMR file, which isn’t support on your standard Windows workstation, and therefore, requires an AMR Player, which you can download for free from http://www.amrplayer.com/

2. BB Tip:  Use Voice Notes for Ring Tones 

Okay, I spent a few minutes on Sunday thinking about Voice Notes, then had an idea… I asked my wife to let me record her saying, “Hi Scott, This is your lovely wife calling.  Pick up the phone please.”, saved the Voice Note as Wife Calling, opened up her contact file on my BlackBerry, selected “Edit”, menu button, “Add Custom Ring Tone”, browsed to Voice Notes, selected my Wife Calling, then saved the edited contact information.  Neat huh?

 3. BB PIN in BB Contacts 

One of the neat features of having your BlackBerry on a BES is that when you add someone into your contacts (who is also on a BES in the same domain), that person’s BlackBerry PIN is automatically added into the BlackBerry contact information.  Although PIN-to-PIN messaging is a neat feature, don’t send anything that you wouldn’t also send through corporate e-mail because the BES creates logs for PIN and SMS messages that can be scanned for improper content.

 BlackBerry 

 

Businesses that pair BlackBerry smartphone use with Research in Motion’s server technology can improve their return on investment from 560% to almost 3,000%, according to a Forrester Consulting report that RIM commissioned. Also, RIM will soon issue an update to the BlackBerry’s instant-messaging software for enterprise customers, according to a report. eWEEK / Network World

4. Study: BlackBerry Can Make Firms Much More Productive

 

 

 

5. BlackBerry 3^rd in Customer Satisfaction 

According to a new survey of more than 1,000 users by the consultancy CFI Group, the smartphone audience is now mainly consumers using it for personal use.  CFI’s survey not surprisingly showed that the Apple iPhone has the best level of customer satisfaction, at 83 percent. Google’s Android platform and the Palm Pre tied for second place at 77 percent, followed by the Research in Motion BlackBerry at 73 percent, the defunct Palm Treo at 70 percent, and devices using Nokia’s Symbian OS and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile coming in last at 66 percent. Inforworld

 6. BlackBerry YouTube Channel

 BlackBerry YouTube channel features BlackBerry how to tutorials. www.youtube.com/BlackBerry

 7. Desktop Manager for Mac Downloadable on October 2 

Initially promised for September, BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac will be officially launched a bit later, on October 2 via http://www.blackberry.com/mac.

 8. TiVo for BlackBerry 

With full-time+ jobs and 2 babies, the wife and I have lost our ability to enjoy adult TV <sigh>.  However, those of you who are able to enjoy TiVo, can now get it on your BlackBerry. eWeek / PCMag / CNET

 9. REDFLY: A Smartphone KVM Terminal for BlackBerry 

At launch, mid-Q4 2009, REDFLY will provide a laptop sized screen and keyboard compatible with the BlackBerry Bold 9000, BlackBerry Curve 8900 and BlackBerry Tour 9630.  It will be free-of-charge for existing REDFLY Mobile Companion C8N and C7 owners. Celio

 10. The World’s Most Expensive BlackBerry 

U.K.-based luxury designer Alexander Amosu will soon announce “the world’s most expensive BlackBerry.” The $240,000 custom BlackBerry Curve 8900, which sports nearly 29 carats of specially cut diamonds, is to be unveiled next week, but we’ve got a sneak peak. CIO / YouTube

 iPhone

 11. Apple’s App Store Passes 2B Downloads

 Apple’s online App Store reached the 2-billion mark Monday, just five months after achieving its 1-billion mile-stone.  This huge demand for software will spark a chain reaction to more paid apps among wireless carriers and handset makers. Telephony Online

 Windows Mobile

 12. Did Ballmer say Microsoft ‘screwed up’ with Windows Mobile?

 It’s becoming obvious that Microsoft Corp. officials, including CEO Steve Ballmer, wish Windows Mobile were a better mobile operating system. InfoWorld

 4G News

 13. Ericsson Eyes 2010 LTE DoCoMo Deal

 Sweden’s Ericsson, which will deliver next-generation LTE technology to most of the USA, is eyeing a pact with NTT DoCoMo.  An Ericsson executive said China Mobile and carriers from emerging nations were likely to enter the 4G market with wide-scale deployments to drive down the price.  I’m not a savvy stock guy, but my guess is Ericsson (ERIC) is a buy.

 14. Sprint Road Map: WiMAX Head Start for Strong 4G Branding

 With its 4G-based WiMAX service due to reach 25 markets by year-end, Sprint Nextel is counting on the lead over its rivals in rolling out next-generation technology to bring the carrier back to profitability. New York Times

 Other News

15. Sat/Cell Phone from AT&T

 AT&T also announced that it would sell the TerreStar Genus smartphone, a dual-mode device that is designed to pick up a satellite signal in the absence of a cellular connection. Wireless Week / GigaOm

 16. Orb for MyCasting from Your Home PC

 Have you seen this already?  You can install Orb on your home PC, and then access all your audio, video, webcams, and even TV from any browser, even your mobile device. Orb

 17. Feds Crackdown on Texting While Driving

 Opening a government meeting on auto safety, the Obama administration reported Wednesday that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, a striking indication of the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel. Slashdot

 18. Next for Wi-Fi: High-Speed Device Connectivity

 The Wi-Fi Alliance has begun working on a certification program that will enable devices, such as a set-top box or video game, to connect with each other through 802.11 technology. The high-speed transfer would also allow users to share photos from mobile phones or send an image from a handset to a projector for display. Telephony Online

This Week in Mobility #73

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.”
~Richard Bach 

Tip
1. Send SMS via Email
BlackBerry
2. Other BlackBerry Tour Issues
3. RIM’s BlackBerry Fund to Expand Mobile-App Investments
iPhone
4. AT&T: No Delays in iPhone MMS Launch
5. 7 Myths About iPhone & Exchange Security Policies
6. Apple To Look at iPhone Battery
7. Genentech: 5,000 iPhones with Internal App Store
Windows Mobile
8. 30 Windows Mobile 6.5 Models by Year-End
4G News
9. How Much Broadband do We Need?
10. Will WiMAX Arrive Early Enough to Take Hold?
11. WiMAX vs. LTE: A False Idea?
12. Dallas-Fort Worth Becoming a 4G Hub
13. Verizon Will Take LTE Nationwide All at Once
Other News
14. AT&T Launches Femtocell Solution in Charlotte, NC
15. FemtoCell Charges You to Fix Their Shoddy Networks
16. U.S. Leading Soaring Wireless Data Volume
17. 2010 Ford’s Cool New Mobile Tech
18. Sony Ericsson Motion Activated Headphones 

“Lessons learned the hard way are branded in the synapses.”
~Me 

Tip 

1. Send SMS via Email 

Are your friends and associates SMS or text users, but you can’t send to them due to corporate blocks, or you just don’t want to incur the cost?  Add their SMS email to your contacts. You can send SMS messages to them via your regular email with the format of:
·        Verizon – 4157775555@vtext.com
·         AT&T – 4157775555@txt.att.net      
·         Sprint – 4157775555@messaging.sprintpcs.com
For a full list of international carriers, go to…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_carriers_providing_SMS_transit
Also http://www.notepage.net/smtp.htm is often more current.

BlackBerry 

I don’t want to steal the thunder from this excellent commentary, but it’s a great description of how people feel when they are affected by these issues.  Fortunately, my Tour works great, so I still think it is the best BlackBerry I have ever owned (my Bold is pretty great too).  GigaOm 

2. Other BlackBerry Tour Issues 

 

3. RIM’s BlackBerry Fund to Expand Mobile-App Investments 

The Research in Motion-backed BlackBerry Partners Fund will expand its portfolio to back developers who write applications beyond games and ringtones, said officials at the $140 million venture fund. Bloomberg 

iPhone 

4. AT&T: No Delays in iPhone MMS Launch 

AT&T Tech: “Our network is overloaded. SF and NYC users can barely use it.” Exec: “Let’s open MMS on the iPhone!” Tech: “Brilliant.” AT&T issued new software that enables MMS message delivery for iPhones.  The download will not entail a “whole software update, just a small installation of additional settings onto your iPhone.” Network World/Macworld / SFGate 

5. 7 Myths About iPhone & Exchange Security Policies

 

Maturity is important when considering complex security solutions.  For example, here is one reason why I recommend waiting till mid-2010 to seriously consider the iPhone as an option for users in a highly-secure large enterprise.  InfoWorld

 

6. Apple To Look at iPhone Battery

 

Following user complaints, Apple will reportedly investigate whether its most recently upgraded iPhone software — 3.1 — is drinking up too much juice, according to an Internet report. InformationWeek

 

12. Genentech: 5,000 iPhones with Internal App Store

 

Although they still have a few BlackBerry devices at Genentech, most all of the other devices have been transitioned to the iPhone (approximately 5,000).  The neat part is the applications they have rolled out via their internal app store:

 

Custom apps:

Employee Lookup Tool

Purchasing Approval Tool

Conference Room Booking Tool

Personalized News Feed Subscription Service

 

LOB Applications:

Salesforce.com

Epocrates

 

iPhone CTO

 

Windows Mobile

 

7. 30 Windows Mobile 6.5 Models by Year-End

 

Microsoft said it expected handset makers to issue a flood of phones this year once the software giant released its Windows Mobile Version 6.5 update Oct. 6. The company predicted that 15 smartphone makers would ship 30 devices by year-end. Acer said it would introduce three smartphones powered by the new Windows software next month. MocoNews / Network World

 

4G News

 

8. How Much Broadband do We Need?

 

Do we set our sights on 100Mbps, or pull out all the stops and race to 1Gbps? We’re talking residential broadband here; a huge leap when you consider that our current speeds range between 3Mbps and 5Mbps, and our national backbone capacity is about 40Gbps and is being upgraded to 100Gbps.  GigaOM

 

9. Will WiMAX Arrive Early Enough to Take Hold?

 

WiMax is deploying later than expected… By the end of 2010, users in more than 80 U.S. cities may be able to ditch their cable modems, T1 setups, and DSL lines in favor of WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) broadband wireless technology.  The 4G WiMax competitor, LTE, is expected to take 80% of the global market around 2020. InfoWorld

 

10. WiMAX vs. LTE: A False Idea?

 

It’s about learning the lessons from 3G when it comes to wireless data. The average iPhone user uses 30 times the data of a regular user, but he or she is not paying four times more. They have to fix that.  While it seems like LTE will dominate, there is a case for WiMAX for some operators, they’ll coexist.  VON

 

11. Dallas-Fort Worth Becoming a 4G Hubs

 

Sprint Nextel Corp., AT&T Inc., MetroPCS Communications Inc., Ericsson AB and Nokia Siemens Networks are converging on the Dallas area to launch fourth-generation, or 4G, networks.  Dallas News

 

12. Verizon will Take LTE Nationwide All at Once

 

Verizon Wireless will “overlay” its existing CDMA EV-DO network to next-generation LTE technology “as close to all-at-once as possible,” instead of taking the usual market-by-market approach. InformationWeek

 

Other News

 

13. AT&T Launches Femtocell Solution in Charlotte, NC

 

AT&T quietly launched the A&T 3G MicroCell, the first femtocell from the carrier. The unit acts like a mini cellular tower in the home or small business, which allows for better indoor coverage.  AT&T is reportedly charging $150 for the equipment. CNET / Wireless Week / AT&T

 

14. FemtoCell Charges You to Fix Their Shoddy Networks

 

Their networks are overloaded or provide poor coverage, and they want to charge you $150+ to fix it?  Who would fall for that kind of scam? Millions of us might, and sadly, we probably should. PCMag

 

15. U.S. Leading Soaring Wireless Data Volume

 

Revenue from mobile-data services worldwide was 10% greater in the first half of this year than in the last half of 2008, with U.S. companies leading the pack, according to a report by analyst Chetan Sharma. GigaOm

 

16. 2010 Ford’s Cool New Mobile Tech

 

The muscle carmaker’s latest fleet of sedans, crossovers, SUVs and trucks sports some impressive tech. Take a look. eWeek

 

17. Sony Ericsson Motion Activated Headphones

 

Sony Ericsson announced the Motion Activated Headphones MH907 that allow you to listen to music just by plugging in its two earphones. To pause your music, you remove one ear-bud.  You can answer and end calls in a similar way – so there’s no need to push any buttons.  Unwired