John at myITforum.com

For those who’d like to see comparison size photo’s, Dave’s iPaq has posted comparison photo’s between the new 6500 Mobile Messenger series and the Treo 650.

Check them out.

Congratulations all of you Siements sx66 owners.  The Siemens SX66 Pocket PC Phone was named the Best Smartphone in the Mobile and Wireless category of Network Computings Well-Connected Awards.  The announcement was made at the Networld+Interop conference.

I've been giving the new Mobile Messenger a little more thought. Why would iPaq put a square screen on their Windows Mobile device? Why wouldn't they put wi-fi in it, but give it Bluetooth and GPRS wireless. Maybe I've been approaching this wrong. Maybe its not previous Windows Mobile device owners they're after with this, although some may prefer it.

From a size perspective, seeing it next to two other devices in a recent vendor fair, made me think. Take a good look and think about what devices it looks like, only iy runs Windows Mobile. The devices it was sitting next to were NOT Windows Mobile devices.

It was sitting between a Palm OS device and a Blackberry.

Hmmm...

Yeah, I know. It's not "officially" summer yet, but I love the warmer weather. Nothing like a barbeque, and those are hard to do in 20 degree weather. I had my parents out last night and we decided to light the grill and have a cookout. Ever notice the food smells ten times better when you cook outside? Doesn't really matter what it is. I could have just eaten something, and smelling a barbeque gets me hungry all over again. Food tastes better as well. Maybe the mandatory beverages have something to do with it.

I know there are several lists of "top ten", but I think I have one to add to the list. It's almost as bad as checking email if you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

What is it you ask? OK, I'll tell you even if you don't ask. You know you're addicted to technology when you need to figure out how to send email on your honeymoon, whether it's the first, fifth, fifteenth, or fiftieth. You know who you are.

I just don’t get it.  Cingular and Sprint PCS have had the Treo 650 out for months (Cingular had them in February, Sprint PCS had them before that).  Verizon Wireless announces availability and its major news?  Why is that?  I’ve been reading press releases that it will be available on May 23, at the same time they announced some pricing changes.  I know Verizon Wireless has about 25% of the mobile market, but they are months behind other major service providers.  Maybe their customers screamed that they wanted a 650 and they weren’t offering one.  I heard that T-Mobile was making similar comments (customer demand will determine whether they carry the 650). 

My opinion, it should only be major news if your first, not last.

 

MSHTML Component Update 

Go here.

I found the rest of my notes from my discussion with the HP folks.  Other than asking if the 6315 will have a Windows Mobile 5 upgrade (the answer was no), most of my questions were around the new mobile messenger.

They will be running Windows Mobile 2003 SE (they weren’t allowed to comment on Windows Mobile 5 upgrade availability), with a 312 MHz processor.  It will only have 64MB of internal RAM, with only 46MB usable.  It will include a 1.3 megapixel camera (only one model will have the camera, the other will not).  It will include a 2–inch square screen, and a back lit keyboard.

AND, it will NOT have built-in wi-fi.  They said they plan to release a newer version that will have Windows Mobile 5 and wi-fi (no announcement data yet, but why would they do that?).   As I’ve mentioned previously, I would NOT buy a Windows Mobile powered device without built-in wi-fi. 

I also noticed two slots, one for a standard SD card, one for a miniSD card.  I was told that the next release with Windows Mobile 5 and wi-fi will only have a miniSD slot (no SD slot).  Again, I’m not sure why they would do that.  I’m not replacing all of my SD cards.  The reps got a little nervous talking about the next model release.  Maybe they weren’t supposed to do that.

Looks like I will probably avoid HP iPaqs for the next few model releases at least.

Microsoft Windows Messenger version 5.1.0680

Go here.

Release date: May 13, 2005

Improved features

This release improves the following features in Windows Messenger 5.1:

•	Improves the file transfer functionality for users who have multiple network connections. These multiple network connections include the following connection types: • Configurations for users who have wired connections. • Configurations for users who have wireless network connections. • Configurations for users who user virtual private network (VPN) connections.
•	Improves presence integration with programs. For example, this version includes the functionality to update presence information in Microsoft Outlook and in Microsoft Windows SharePoint services.
•	Provides support for Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit.
•	Improves security by using the latest secure components. Additionally, URL links are now non-clickable. This behavior is by default.

Effective May 23, Verizon Wireless will introduce new BlackBerry & PDA / Smartphone data service plans for customers with handheld devices. Customers purchasing any Verizon Wireless Blackberry or PDA / Smartphone have the option of data plans that include 10 MB for $29.99 or unlimited data service for $49.99. Customers adding data plans to any America's Choice plan of $39.99 or higher will receive a $5.00 discount on their chosen data plan.

Before you buy folks, PLEASE check out the other carriers.  This is still double (and in some cases triple) other carriers. 

Windows Mobile extends the familiarity of the Windows desktop to Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC and Smartphone devices. Windows Mobile is based on Windows CE and .NET Compact Framework.

The Windows Mobile platform enables developers to build innovative applications for the mobile devices. The platform offers data connectivity that is seamless and has enhanced security, rich API support such as Bluetooth and POOM, an extensive range of programming models including native code, managed code, and mobile web development, and device resources such as multithreading.

Windows Mobile developers can reduce development time and costs by taking advantage of a familiar Window development environment, a consistent programming model, and comprehensive technical resources.

Go here.

Every Windows Mobile–based device implements a set of security policies that determine whether an application is allowed to run and, if allowed, with what level of trust. To develop an application for a Windows Mobile–based device, you need to know what the security configuration of your device is. You also need to know how to sign your application with the appropriate certificate to allow the application to run (and to run with the needed level of trust). (9 printed pages)

Go here.

This article addresses the most common issues and frequently asked questions from developers related to migrating from one version of the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform to another. (19 printed pages)

Go here.

Rumor has it that it has been “officially” announced after leaking from the FCC last November. 

Features of the Samsung i730 include:

• EV-DO
• Bluetooth
• Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC 2nd edition OS
• Megapixel camera
• 240 x 320 pixel 65K color touch sensitive display
• 64MB memory
• SD I/O slot
• Slide form factor with full QWERTY keyboard

Glaringly missing?  Where is wi-fi?  If companies want to charge this much for a Windows Mobile device, put wi-fi in the durn thing.  I wouldn’t buy one that couldn’t do wi-fi, but that’s just me.  What good will EV-DO do if I’m somewhere that I can’t get a data network connection? 

That plus the fact that your monthly recurring out-of-pocket costs would be double what any other service provider charges.

I’ve been looking at the various service providers lately and the devices that may or may not be released on the networks over the next few months, potentially with Windows Mobile 5.  One thing that amazingly stuck out for those that need data connections (can’t run a Windows Mobile device without it…).  All of the major carriers (Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint PCS, and Verizon) have an all you can eat data plan for your phone.  Verizon Wireless however wants double what any other carrier is willing to provide?  Why is that?  No network out there for cell phones is worth paying double for.

I noticed from Rod’s blog that he’s having problems sending email from his device.  Unfortunately, Roadrunner does not recognize the network the device is sitting on so as most SMTP networks do, the outbound mail is rejected.  Roadrunner would need to modify their restrictions to allow mobile phones registered on the Cingular network to send SMTP mail for this to work.  This prevents spammers and others from spoofing the SMTP address on the Roadrunner network.  There are work arounds, which I have provided to Rod to fix this.

Stay tuned…let’s see if he can reply to email.  Sounds like Rod and Meg are having a good time, but if you’re like me, I’ve noticed that it appears he’s “sneaking” his posts.

And it’s 3G technology.  You really have to hand it to HTC (they are the company that made the Blue Angel, which is the Siemens sx66 and Audiovox 6600 series of phones).

Taiwan's smart-phone maker High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) recently unveiled the world's first third-generation (3G) Windows Mobile 5.0–based versatile handheld device, HTC Universal, according to company sources.

The company said that HTC Universal will make customers more productive while having powerful multimedia and Internet-browsing capabilities.

HTC pointed out that Microsoft's chairman Bill Gates unveiled the Windows Mobile 5.0 software during his keynote at Microsoft Mobile & Embedded DevCon 2005 in Las Vegas and displayed its versatility on the HTC Universal.

Full story.

Another small detail I forgot to mention talking to the HP folks in exhibitor hall.  Because the HP Mobile Messenger has a square screen resolution (and not the popular rectangle I’ve come to love), some apps won’t work on the new Windows Mobile device.  While some apps are screen aware, some are not.  Some programs will give you screens with scroll bars so that you can scroll down and see the remainder of the screen, others will not.  That is, the screen will be cut off and there will be no way to scroll down to get to the bottom of the screen.

Another reason I think I’ll just avoid the latest release of the HP devices.

Conclusion to MEDC.  I roamed all of the wireless carriers that were exhibiting.   There wasn’t a single manufacturer that I saw that had a Windows Mobile 5 demo unit.  Not a single one.  Every one I talked to said Q4 this year, or Q1 next.  They also said that all of their devices currently on display, including the Mobile Messenger, will be shipped with Windows Mobile 2003.  Upgrade paths will be announced at a later time.  Mums the word from the vendors, including HP, whether an upgrade to Windows Mobile 5 will be available.  Buyer beware until officially launched and devices actually start becoming available.  The Siemens and iPaq 6315 news was already disappointing enough.

Also, an interesting note for those waiting on the Mobile Messenger from HP.  The reps I talked to said that they are only manufacturing GSM/GPRS devices running on EDGE.  They are not at this time manufacturing CDMA devices because of a lack of global presence.  You know what that means to all the Sprint PCS/Verizon customers.

My last session of the conference was managing and configuring mobile devices with SMS 2003. Some of you may remember this session from MMS 2005. Martin Dey, who some of you may know, presented this session.

He quickly covered a high level overview of SMS 2003 and its capabilities. He covered XPe (built in advanced client), then moved on to the Feature Pack. It's an add-on to SMS 2003 SP1. The client agent installs on Windows Mobile devices. It supports PPC 2002 and above, and CE 3 and above. Next release will support Smartphones and Mobile 5.

Current feature set includes inventory, collections, software distribution, script execution, settings and password policy management.

He flew through the slide deck and spent a lot of time on demos. The settings and password settings management was impressive.

He then spent some time on what the backend looked like. Security, installation and setup, and configuration.

Finally, he covered SMS v4. Goals include internet facing architecture, finding devices anywhere.

One of the better sessions. Most of my unanswered questions are still unanswered, but at least I know why. They can't disclose for a few more weeks. Things such as push email, remote wipe, removal of stored user credentials, etc. All they will say is that they can discuss shortly, just not now. More to come on that.

Microsoft uses smart cards, the startwindowsmobile technology to deploy devices, and a streamlined infrastrucutre. I touched on that earlier (two servers for 20000 mobile users). They are also seeing a wave of internal folks going the way of smartphones. Lots of good things going on internally.

According to the HP folks here at MEDC, unfortunately there will not be an upgrade path for 6315 owners to Windows Mobile 5.

Next up was a security drilldown presented by David Field (PM for Windows Mobile). Topics presented included mobile device management, particularly security configuration policies (TPS, RAPI, auto-run, Grant Manager and App Install and execution policies).

He also covered device security, including local device lock (with a new LASS/LAP).

There is also image update boot loader security, and a data protection API, and a Credential Manager.

VPN was also covered, including PPTP/MSCHAPv2, and layer 2 tunneling.

At the application level, there is a Security Configuration Service Provider. New to Mobile 5, Pocket PC is 1 tier.

Lots of stuff covered. I'll certainly have to go back over this material.

I certainly hope I have bad information. I had an opportunity to chat with both Cingular and Siemens. Windows Mobile 5 is not on their roadmap. Apparently Siemens is moving out of the handheld arena and will not be providing the upgrade to Cingular. I'm trying to confirm but that is major disappointment. This device is not cheap, and for those that just purchased it, simply unacceptable from both Cingular and Siemens. I was told by Cingular they will be coming out with a Windows Mobile device similar to the HP Mobile Messenger, but not until Q4 of this year, and they said it probably won't have Windows Mobile 5.

It's not an oxymoron. That was the first topic of the day. Not many organizations consider the impact of mobile devices and the risks posed to intellectual property. Presentation was given by Byron Hynes, an MVP and consultant. (http://www.asptoday.com/Authors.aspx?ID=83)

He discussed what exactly we are trying to protect, particularly with the new corporate legal exposure like Sarbanes. He also discussed two data areas to protect, at rest (storage), and in motion (over the air). Lots of things to consider. For instance, when I meet folks and they see my mobile device, they ask to see it. I usually hand it to them. I don't even want to consider what my Firm would do if they knew I was allowing others to look at it.

Byron's first law of security. A user will *always* disregard or circumvent any voluntary security measure if it would stop them from doing what they want to do, or if its too much work. Never under estimate the ill-will created if you respond by making it impossible to circumvent. Usability is king.

First issue discussed was viruses. (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/mobilevirus.mspx).

He then discussed bluejacking (highjacking of bluetooth). Much harder in Mobile 5 (have to override about 4 default settings). Word to the wise. Never leave your device in discoverable mode. He found 13 unprotected devices (not mine).

He discussed e-mail in transit, and the importance of SSL, password-free data access (how many users password protect their mobile device), un-encrypted data stored on the device, including storage cards (will be increasingly difficult with the intro of 3GB devices).

Of course its day four for some if you showed up for the all day labs on Monday.  I completed day 2 over at the Luxor theater and the Blue Men Group.  It’s a show I can only some up with “it’s an experience”.  They have television monitors all over the complex and I had only seen clips of their show and all I can say is that the clips don’t do the show any justice.  The group, the music, and the humor were all sensational.  They turn the entire theater in to an experience you won’t forget.

Now on to day 3.  I’ve got four sessions left, and lots of questions.  Stay tuned.