February 2006

Hello Windows Mobile for Automotive
Windows CE oldtimers remember the Auto PC, one of Microsoft's early (and unsuccessful) Windows CE platforms. Its 2006 decendant is Windows Mobile for Automotive, a software platform and hardware reference unit that "helps the automotive industry speed the development of safer, more reliable and affordable in-car infotainment systems for drivers and passengers worldwide" by allowing motorists to use voice commands and a push-to-talk button to operate their mobile phones, digital music players and other devices. At the 2006 Geneva International Motor Show, Microsoft and Fiat unveiled Blue&Me, the first in-car infotainment system based on Windows Mobile for Automotive. -- Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2006 by chb

Plug-n-Play RFID reader for Pocket PCs
Sirit Inc. a provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, unveiled the Sirit Plug-n-Play product line - a cost-effective family of SDIO and USB based multi-protocol 'plug and play' products, supporting a wide range of RFID applications. Using SDIO and USB, and integrated readers and antennas, these RFID products can easily be used with a broad range of devices including smartphones, PDAs, handhelds, point-of-sale terminals and laptop PCs, thus enabling very low cost RFID readers and writers. -- Posted Monday, February 27, 2006 by chb

Docs can pick meds covered by health plans on their PPC
Fingertip Formulary announces the launch of Fingertip Formulary Mobile, a real-time wireless solution that provides physicians and other healthcare providers with comprehensive formulary data, including Medicare Part D plans, at the point of care. With a few keystrokes, physicians can now get formulary data at the time they need it using any BlackBerry, Pocket PC, or Palm wireless PDA. Traditionally, physicians have had no simple way to determine which drugs are covered under any of the 10 to 20 health plans in each of their practices. -- Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by chb

Fujitsu unveils Pocket LOOX T830 PPC Phone
Fujitsu Siemens introduced the Pocket LOOX T830 Pocket PC phone -- a small, handy, versatile Windows 5.0 Phone Edition-based device using a 416MHz version of the Intel PXA270 processor. The T830 has 64MB of RAM, 128MB of Flash, a smallish 2.4-inch 240 x 240 pixel transflective TFT, measures 5.0 x 2.6 x 0.8 inches, and weighs about 6.7 ounces. It's a GSM/UMTS phone with integrated SiRFstar III GPS receiver, WiFi, Bluetooth and a thumbtype keyboard. There's also a 2-megapixel digital camera that can be used to make video phone calls, Voice over IP, and Microsoft Mobile DirectPush email support. Sadly, none of Fujitsu Siemens' impressive lineup of Pocket PCs is sold in the US. [ Good Mobile Defense
Good Technology announced Good Mobile Defense that brings enterprise class security to Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone, including third party applications, external storage cards, and handheld features such as WiFi and Bluetooth. With Good Mobile Defense, the level of enterprise security previously only available for GoodLink and GoodAccess is now available to protect the entire handheld. Good Mobile Defense provides advanced password management, application lockdown, feature control, advanced encryption management, and data erase after excessive failed password and authentication attempts. Good Mobile Defense is available as a standalone product and as an extension to GoodLink and GoodAccess. -- Posted Thursday, February 16, 2006 by chb

TI unveils new gen of OMAP processors
While Intel is doing its thing, some other companies have also been delivering processors used in mobile handhelds. Samsung is one, and Texas Instrument another with its OMAP processors. TI now revealed their OMAP 3 multimedia applications architecture. The ARM Cortex A8-based OMAP3430 runs at 550 MHz supports Windows Mobile, Symbian and Linux. Though primarily targetted at mobile handsets, the features seem to make it a powerful and very frugal alternative to the Intel PXA chips. [see TI's detailed description of the OMAP3430] -- Posted Thursday, February 16, 2006 by chb

Palm certifies MV900 BT speakerphone for Treo 650/700
The palm-sized MV900 turns the Treo 700w and Treo 650 into portable, powerful speakerphones. The MV900’s voice command dialing and voice caller ID, allows mobile professionals and commuters to talk truly hands-free and enjoy loud, clear phone conversations while driving on noisy highways with its 120dB speaker volume and small array microphones (2 SAMs), and high performance echo elimination technology. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the MV900 is also a plug-and-play USB speakerphone, facilitating high quality VoIP calls on Treo smartphones or laptops using Internet telephony applications such as Skype, Google Talk, Yahoo IM, and DialPad. -- Posted Friday, February 10, 2006 by chb

EDGE-enabled Cingular 8100 debuts
Cingular is adding the HTC-built Cingular 8100 with sliding keyboard to its roster of Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. The device measures 4.3 x 2.3 x 1 inches, weighs 5.25 ounces, has a 2,8-inch QVGA screen, WiFi and Bluetooth, a 200MHz TI OMAP 850 CPU, 64MB RAM and 128MB Flash ROM, Mini-SD, 1.3mp camera (optional version), and a 1250 mAH hour Li-Ion battery. Communication is via quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900. The 8100 will be upgradeable to support the Microsoft Messaging and Security Feature Pack featuring direct push e-mail technology, which is expected to be available in the first half of 2006. The device reinforces the trend towards smaller, lighter Pocket PC phones with smaller displays. It costs US$299 with a two-year contract [see Cingular product page] -- Posted Thursday, February 9, 2006 by chb

Microsoft strengthens global IP protection for device makers
Microsoft announced it will strengthen and broaden intellectual property (IP) protection for original OEMS and distributors that build and sell devices powered by Microsoft Windows Embedded and Windows Mobile software. "Microsoft continues to build out its industry-leading IP protection across markets in response to the changing legal landscape and feedback from its customers and partners indicating that they need to feel secure using Microsoft technology." Our take: With the rapidly emerging industry of companies dedicated solely to sue others for profit via "patent infringement," this is a step Microsoft needed to make, sad though it is. -- Posted Thursday, February 9, 2006 by chb

StayinFront CRM solutions on Tablet PCs and PDAs
StayinFront, a provider of enterprise-wide customer relationship management (CRM) applications and decision support tools announced details of the latest release of StayinFront CRM Mobile, which can run as a standalone CRM application or augment an enterprise implementation of StayinFront CRM. Version 9.3 adds features tailored to the needs of remote sales and field workers, including those who rely on PDAs. Organizations can now deploy a broad range of features and functionality in handheld applications for sales and field force automation, customer management, order entry, sample tracking, etc., on a variety of mobile computing hardware supporting Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0. StayinFront CRM Mobile 9.3 also features an enhanced user interface that is task driven and pen optimized, making it ideal for Tablet PCs. StayinFront CRM Mobile supports multiple synchronization technologies including always-on "trickle-mode," timed, and hard connected. -- Posted Monday, February 6, 2006 by chb

GPS Pocket PC for real estate agents
Mobile Crossing and Pocket Real Estate are teaming up to provide the industry's first GPS navigation system with functionality designed for Real Estate Agents. Thanks to technology from Pocket Real Estate, Mobile Crossing's new WayPoint Pocket Real Estate Edition combines turn-by-turn spoken directions with complete database access to the agent's multiple listing service out-of-the-box. In addition to providing driving directions to the agent, the WayPoint device doubles as a fully featured Windows Mobile PDA organizer. [See info on the Pocket Real Estate application for Pocket PC.] -- Posted Thursday, February 2, 2006 by chb

Skype for Pocket PC beta available
Want to make free calls to your friends all over the world? The Skype for Pocket PC beta is now available for download. To see seven screenshots illustrating the different phases of initiating and conducting a phone call, click here. There are several versions and you can download and install either from your PC or directly into your Pocket PC. You need Windows Mobile 5.0 or 2003 for Pocket PC, a processor with a clockspeed of at least 312MHz, and WiFi or 3G access (such as Edge). Click here to access the free download page. -- Posted Wednesday, February 1, 2006 by chb