Google is officially entering the 700 MHz fray. I know Dieter likes talking about wireless net neutrality -- I'm more or less on board with all of it, but I'll just post the news, as I imagine this is something he'll want to cover when he gets back from Mobius.
Ed Zander wearing some RAZRWIRE glasses
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p>Ed Zander will be stepping down as CEO of MOTROLA. He'll be replaced next month by GRG BRWN, who is currently the COO and PRSDNT. ZNDR will stay on the BORD for a few MNTHS after his RZIGNASHN. The money quote:
"Next year marks my 40th year in the technology industry. This is the right time for me to move on to the next phase in my life and spend more time with my money."
At this point I'd like to raise the possibility that I may have misquoted him. I've purchased 2 RAZRs -- they were great phones with cruddy software. If the software would have been great on those RAZRs, I'd have not jumped ship to their competitor's featurephones and I would have strongly considered a MOTO smartphone. Because of that bad software experience (and everything I read about their Q), I just blindly assume that their software sucks now. I hear some positive things about the new Q that has 3 letters -- QRS? QZX? Not enough good things to want one or to listen attentively when someone adamantly insists that they've gotten better.
Office Mobile has been updated to 6.1 - it's a free upgrade for anybody who already has Office on their Windows Mobile device (that almost surely means you). The update (finally) adds support for Office 2007 file formats, catching up to what DocsToGo managed to do quite awhile ago. If you don't have Office Mobile on your device, it's $49 to purchase.
Oh, and the release of Office 6.1 is for really real now, not an accidental release like the last time we saw it.
Read: Download details: Microsoft Office Mobile 6.1: Upgrade for Microsoft Office 2007 file formats
So we're deep into the Mobius conference here and it's great to be hearing about what's new and cool with Windows Mobile. Friend of the site (well, we like him, anyway) Jason Landridge presented on a few things that were pretty cool, notably “Oops I'm late” and “Lawn Darts.”
Another presenter Windows Mobile Shaman Derek Snyder1 also showed us the next version of Windows Mobile, and I'm not talking Photon. Good news: It ran quite well on on current hardware and is expected to be given to manufacturers in Q1 of next year. Our take (insofar as we're allowed to have a public take) is that you'll definitely want it, but you probably won't riot if you don't get it. The rest, as Hamlet might say, is silence under NDA.
Ever access your bank account on your phone? Ever use a password for a website on your phone? Do you download email attachment on your handheld? If you do any one of these, then do you really need a security app to help protect you or not? Symantec of the Norton fame says yes. (Ed. Note: we here at WMExperts have previously said "No, but someday soon that will change"). Norton's take:
[...]unsecure public WiFi or network connections can put users at risk. In addition, Web and e-mail viruses can directly infect smartphones, enabling hackers to remotely control the device, access sensitive information or disable applications. Norton Smartphone Security runs discreetly in the background, providing the confidence and peace of mind to engage in everyday activities like e-mailing, Web browsing or banking online from these handheld devices.
Their line of reasoning is that ”34 percent of respondents said they access their bank accounts via their mobile device and 54 percent of respondents said they access Web sites that require a password. As more users transact using their mobile devices, the financial incentives for virus writers and mobile hackers will follow.” I have to admit that I do all of these things on my phone. My main thought when someone says security for my mobile phone is not hackers but actually stealing my phone and browsing through my info at their leisure.
You can see all the details on their website here. It is a subscription based product at $29.99 a year…..which without using it or seeing how well it works sounds potentially a little steep for the average WM user. I also wonder about compatibility. They only list on GSM WM 5 device, the Palm Treo 750v, as being compatible with no mention about WM6 either way. (I just might see detailed a review in the future here at WMExperts.com)
Ironic that we saw this over at our sister-site iPhone Blog, Phone different, since it doesn't yet work on the iPhone, but here's the skinny. The newest version of Google Maps will now take a shot at guessing your current location by looking at the relative signal strength of the cell towers around you. You can watch a cutesy YouTube Video to get an idea of how it works. No GPS necessary, baby!
This basically puts Google Maps a leg up on Windows Live Search, which had been our previous favorite map solution. Hopefully Microsoft will catch up soon, because we do prefer their directions and other features like movie times and gas prices. We also like WLS's voice search option, we just wish it worked a little more reliably.
Somebody needs to tell Verizon what the proper way to launch a product is. Seems like they've duffed everything but the Q9M lately. The Samsung SCH-i760 was kinda sorta released, kinda pulled (not really), and finally released. Finally and worst of all, it seems that folks were fairly disappointed with it.
Looks like we have the same situation with the delayed (and still ugly in name and looks as we remember) Verizon XV6800. Engadget is reporting that some folks at HoFo have managed to purchase it over for the phone for $249.99 after rebates.
I'm waiting to see if the XV6800 will have GPS enabled, because then it would actually be better than its Sprint-based cousin, the Mogul. That is, until the Mogul's new ROM is released next year.
Read: Verizon's XV6800 in the wild, finally available to order - Engadget
Joel Johnson found a really creative application for Windows Mobile -- turning your phone into your webcam while you charge your phone is a pretty hot idea. Mobiola seems expensive to me at $15, but then again, so does their competition. Extra bonus feature: Mobiola can be your Bluetooth webcam too. If one can't have fun with a mobile bluetooth webcam, maybe one can't have fun.
Engadget Mobile tips us off to this interesting bit of info about the Samsung BlackJack:
Samsung Blackjacks manufactured between November 2006 and February 2007 are the subject of a quiet recall due to an antenna issue
The issue is degrading signal strength and it definitely looks to be a hardware issue. You can look under the battery to see if your BlackJack falls within the date range. Actually - heck, if your BlackJack is getting bad reception it's probably worth a call no matter when it was manufactured. They ought to know if the problem extends beyond that 4 month span. Plus, you know, you could complain about the delayed Windows Mobile 6 ROM update. Just saying.
jkOnTheRun has some great news for us: Verizon intends to get a little nicer with their network with a new program called “Any App, Any Device.” The upshot is that any customer can bring any compatible device to the big VZW and VZW will let 'em. This basically means that if you can get Sprint to unlock your phone, Verizon will pretty much take it.
Actually, it really means a whole lot more: If you can build your own cellphone that works on Verizon, Verizon will take it. After they test it and charge a testing fee, of course, they're not madmen. Still - this is great news, though I wouldn't go so far as to call it a seismic shift.
And as jk's Kevin Tofel notes, Verizon is thinking about moving to LTE (which is GSM-ish) for their 4G standard someday - which would mean that “Any Device” would cover a heckuva lot more devices.
Be still my heart - are carriers becoming less evil?
In early 2008, the company will publish the technical standards the development community will need to design products to interface with the Verizon Wireless network. Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network. Devices will be tested and approved in a $20 million state-of-the-art testing lab which received an additional investment this year to gear up for the anticipated new demand. Any application the customer chooses will be allowed on these devices.
Read: Verizon Wireless To Introduce ‘Any Apps, Any Device’ Option For Customers In 2008
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