September 2005 - Posts
The European Union insisted Friday the job of Internet traffic cop must be shared by governments and the private sector. The U.S. wants to remain the Internet's ultimate authority, rejecting calls in a United Nations meeting in Geneva for a U.N. body to take over.
EU spokesman Martin Selmayr rejected American claims the EU had changed direction. "We are looking for a new cooperation model, a model that allows Internet governance and the laying down of public policy principles in coordination by all countries which are interested in the governance of the Internet because the Internet is a global resource," he said.
A new cooperation model because it’s a global resource. OK, on the count of three, I want you to list every global resource you can think of, and then we’ll submit it demanding those resources be shared by everyone, and turn control over all of those resources to the UN. Sounds like a great idea.
P.S. It’s the mark of the beast.
Microsoft has revealed plans to release a third service pack for its Windows XP operating system. “There will be a Service Pack 3 for Windows XP," Bernard Ourghanlian, technical and security director at Microsoft France, confirmed, revealing that Microsoft's OS is set for another major update.
IDC has posted a whitepaper on the benefits of mobile messaging. According to the whitepaper, in the opinion of IDC:
Mobile solutions, which tie mobile handheld devices to corporate email and application servers, allow mobile workers to be more responsive, stay collaboratively informed, and leverage corporate data with greater flexibility than what is possible with desktop and notebook PCs. IDC conducted case studies with six companies that have implemented Microsoft’s server-based, mobile messaging solution and quantified the productivity returns to end users, as well as the efficiencies and cost savings to IT departments. In this study of companies that have implemented Microsoft’s server-based, mobile messaging solutions, IDC found the following direct benefits:
While the study focused on tangible benefits, more obscure benefits were also identified. Practical experience with mobile and wireless technologies can ignite ideas for how mobility can bring new levels of agility to the processes and operations that drive a company. In many cases, these ideas that came from using mobile technology were valued as much as the anticipated returns from the investment.
Tangible benefits of server-based mobile messaging solutions came in the form of:
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Better quality of work life resulting in less employee turnover
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Efficient management of mobile devices and greater security of mobile data and mobile access
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Reduced costs from pulling back notebook computers that were used primarily for email and the reduction of Remote Access Service calls
Companies looking to provide a more convenient connectivity method for their mobile workforces and take control/manage the proliferation of mobile devices in their organization should consider sever-based mobile solutions.
Download the whitepaper here.
Reading some updates on mobile news, and came across this comment in one of the articles posted. Quite honestly, I’ve NEVER come across anyone so broken up about not being an MVP. I know a LOT of MVP’s on several of Microsoft’s products, and have never met one like this one describes.
“This week in Seattle area, USA, another yearly MVP summit takes place. MVP is an award being awarded mostly to "polite" (in the sense: uncritically Microsoft friendly), subdued people from community of fans of Microsoft products. MVP selection criteria process is also still vague and secretive, and based mostly on nepotism (at least in area of Windows Mobile). However most annoying thing is that during this MVP summit many Microsoft managers are giving a pep talk about "Microsoft being innovative" while reality (at least in area of Windows Mobile) is drastically different.”
This “article” concludes with the following conclusion:
“Conclusion: while many Windows Mobile MVPs do not deserve getting this title at all, the most important issue however is that Microsoft is not listening to what community says as facts prove it. So this year's MVP summit, at least in Windows Mobile area, is once again just an exercise in delusions about innovations.”
I think this website just came off my list of sites to check. You can read it for yourself here, and post your own comments if you’d like.
The i-Mate K-JAM was finally posted to an internet site for sale (expansys.com). When I checked earlier this morning, there were almost 400 available (they have a stock counter for how many are in inventory). I checked two minutes ago, and the numbers are down to 231. That’s almost 200 phones is a couple of hours. It’s either going to be a big seller, or they’re trying to generate some sales hype. If this keeps up, they’ll be out of stock by noon eastern.
It’s not available on the expansys us site yet, the the i-Mate JAM is now down to $559 (with 66 in stock).
Use a Windows Mobile Smartphone or Pocket PC phone? If you also are in an Exchange environment, you need Microsoft Global Contact Access. You’ll also need Exchange 2003 with a valid web access email account. With this, you can:
- Search Global Address Book lists
- Schedule meetings with multiple recipients
- View Free/Busy schedules of potential meeting attendees
- Send email to anyone in the Global Address Book list without needing them in your contacts
I’ve been using it for the last couple of months and being able to see everyone’s free/busy time from my phone has been a great addition to have for scheduling meetings.
You can download it here.
The i930 is a new smartphone from Windows Mobile that features push-to-talk. You can send and receive e-mail and text messages, manage your contacts, and schedule your appointments using Windows Mobile software.
First thing in the morning, and usually later on in the afternoon, I like scanning several news sites to catch up on what’s going on. Something I haven’t been able to figure out though. Google does a good job of searching all the news stories to find particular topics of interest. But, what I haven’t been able to figure out, is why there are still web sites out there that charge you to read news? Why would they do that? I did a couple of searches this morning, and several of the links splashed up a screen that said “the article you requested is only available to subscribers” and “click here to subscribe”. I don’t mind registering to read the news (although I don’t understand that either unless they sell your contact info) and I don’t think its about offering news that no one else has because I did find similar stories available for free. Maybe they think they consolidate news better? I don’t know, but I can’t imagine they make much money selling subscriptions on the internet with the high volume of free news available.
I know Directv doesn’t really want to work with Tivo anymore either, but are they hurting that bad already? Posted on Tivo’s website:
“WITH RESPECT TO ANY NEW TIVO SERVICE SUBSCRIPTION ACTIVATED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, YOU AGREE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE TIVO SERVICE FOR NO LESS THAN 12 MONTHS (THE “SERVICE COMMITMENT"). IF YOU FAIL TO MEET THE SERVICE COMMITMENT BY CANCELLING YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE TIVO SERVICE (OR IF TIVO TERMINATES YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE TIVO SERVICE DUE TO A BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT), YOU AGREE THAT TIVO MAY CHARGE YOU A $150 EARLY TERMINATION FEE, AND YOU AGREE TO PAY ANY SUCH EARLY TERMINATION FEE.”
Interesting
article posted today. The common electric socket will serve as your home's connection to broadband with a new chip developed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. - doing away with all the Ethernet cables or the hassle of hooking up to a wireless network device. Products are still being developed, but gadgets embedded with the chip from the Japanese manufacturer of Panasonic products can hook up to a broadband network by plugging into the common electrical outlet, company officials said Thursday.
That's because the Osaka-based company has come up with technology to use electric wiring in the home to relay not just electricity but also data. The technology has been around for some time - including in the United States - but Matsushita's system is unique in that it delivers fast-speed broadband information at up to 170 megabits per second, which is faster than Ethernet.
State energy regulators approved higher natural-gas rates for more than 700,000 Western Washington customers yesterday, allowing the highest rates in state history. Puget Sound Energy and Northwest Natural Gas customers in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Kittitas, Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties will see their bills go up 12 to 15 percent starting next month.
They’re also going to be looking at the rest of the state. How long before the rest of the country increases as well? Monthly bills increased 12–15%? Are they serious? Question for the state energy regulators. Where is the money supposed to come from to pay the gas bills? 12–15%? Average wage increases year to year are what again? Money has to come from somewhere.
There’s a good update posted on Treocentral.com from Palm Analyst Day. Updates from Ed Colligan, Jeff Hawkins, Peter Skillman, and Ken Wirt.
It’ll be interesting to see what they have up their sleeve next.
I was just reading the specs and warranties on the new iPaq rx1950. It looks like a nice Windows Mobile 5 device for only $299, 300MHz processor, 96MB of internal RAM, expansion slot, stereo sound, good software bundle. What’s not to like right?
Scanning down the list of specs, I come to the warranty section and read:
“US Retail: 90 Days parts and labor. 90 days technical support for software.
Rest of the World: One-year parts and labor; 90 days technical support for software in most regions.”
What’s HP trying to tell the US market? We can afford to buy an extended warranty if we want it longer than 90 days, but the rest of the world gets it free for one year? What’s this saying to the US market? Hey HP. Wake up!
I noticed Jason Dunn over at Pocket PC thoughts noticed the same thing. He’s asking all the right questions.
Scanning news headlines over at Computerworld, and I stumbled on to a “research report” called “Unattended PCs a menace”. The opening paragraphs of this article read,
“Many organizations turn a blind eye to the risks posed by PCs that are logged into corporate networks but left unattended, according to a new analysis from research firm Gartner Inc. The main risk is that confidential information could be accessed and changed in an effort to carry out fraud, Gartner said, although the tendency of employees to send bogus or prank e-mails is also a concern. The latter can have potentially serious legal consequences. Another potentially damaging issue is that lax PC security could allow employees who gain illegal access to data a way to plausibly deny any wrongdoing -- something Gartner termed the "someone else used my PC" defense. If companies can't prove that malicious activity was done by the person using the PC, disciplining them would be difficult.”
OK, first, I’d like to see a list of the organizations that turn a “blind eye” to this. Just who in the world did they talk to? Typically, anytime you have to use the word “many” in “research”, it either wasn’t quantified, or the numbers didn’t support the research so you use words like “many”. Who can’t prove “many” right? Second, group policy in active directory has the capability of enforcing timeouts and locking the screen saver requiring passwords to deactivate. If the computer is on the network, group policy locks the computer down based on timeouts on inactivity of the keyboard/mouse. So, someone gets up and walks away, minutes later the screen saver activates (if the computer user doesn’t do it) and it requires the domain password to unlock the screen saver. So, unless the “criminal” sits down within minutes of walking away, no luck. Pretty easy solution to the problem.
I will admit though that it was ALWAYS prank time if we found someone in the department who didn’t lock their computer before walking away, because we WERE in the seat within minutes. Pretty good lesson to learn.
A story broke about iTunes coming to Windows Mobile devices. I thought wow, Steve Jobs working WITH Bill Gates? Dogs and cats must be living together and we’ve reached the end of the world.
Well, this morning several websites are reporting that it was a fake, and a German developer made the “mock up” of the program.
One of them is here, but the stories are popping up everywhere. Be careful out there…
Google Inc. is expected to announce plans today to build a 1 million-square-foot campus at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, sources familiar with the plan said Tuesday. The Internet giant, which has been looking for expansion space during the company's extraordinary growth spurt, plans to build offices, housing for workers, roads and infrastructure on a vacant section of the sprawling NASA facility in the heart of Silicon Valley.
How many remember the Nixon/Watergate scandal, and the “I am not a crook” coverage? Well, Tom Delay sounds a lot like him. Do you believe him?
A Texas grand jury on Wednesday indicted Rep. Tom DeLay and two political associates on charges of conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, forcing the House majority leader to temporarily relinquish his post. A defiant DeLay insisted he was innocent and called the prosecutor a "partisan fanatic."
"I have done nothing wrong. ... I am innocent," DeLay told a Capitol Hill news conference during which he criticized the Texas prosecutor, Ronnie Earle, repeatedly. DeLay said the charges amounted to "one of the weakest and most baseless indictments in American history."
Time will tell…
Proponents of the latest Web trends were warned Tuesday that the rest of the world may not have a clue what they are talking about. A survey of British taxi drivers, pub landlords and hairdressers -- often seen as barometers of popular trends -- found that nearly 90 percent had no idea what a podcast is and more than 70 percent had never heard of blogging.
"When I asked the panel whether people were talking about blogging, they thought I meant dogging," said Sarah Carter, the planning director at ad firm DDB London. Dogging is the phenomenon of watching couples have sex in semi-secluded places such as out-of-town car parks. News of such events are often spread on Web sites or by using mobile phone text messages.
Go figure…
Don’t know how many of you have tried Mike’s Hard Lemonade (they have several GREAT flavors), but man is that stuff addicting. Some of the best lemonade, with a kick.
So, how do you tell you’ve had too many? You try to charge a new cell phone/PDA for two hours before you realize you didn’t put the battery in.
Is RIM in trouble? Considering they are falling in to the same trap as Palm did (no significant changes in design or OS in YEARS)…
Research In Motion Ltd., maker of the BlackBerry e-mail pager, said second-quarter profit rose 57 percent. Subscriber additions missed some analysts' estimates and the shares fell.
Research In Motion added 620,000 subscribers, missing analyst estimates that ranged as high as 650,000. Sales growth tapered for the sixth straight quarter amid rising competition from makers of similar devices.
Competition is getting more intense,'' Pablo Perez- Fernandez, a ThinkEquity Partners analyst in San Francisco, said in an interview today before the earnings report. He said he rates the shares ``sell'' because they are too expensive.
An admitted counterfeiter has agreed to pay Microsoft and Symantec $1.1 million in restitution, a victory in the software industry's fight against software piracy.
The award is part of a plea agreement in a criminal software-piracy case in Houston, Symantec said Tuesday. The case came to court after a yearlong investigation by the Houston police and the FBI into the activities of Li Chen, who was found to have 5,100 copies of counterfeit Symantec software at his Houston business, Symantec said.
Ya know, all we’re doing is mowing grass and planting mums. That’s all. I’m not doing anything illegal, we’re not practicing witchcraft, Endora’s not here, and there are no visits from Dr. Bombay or Aunt Clara. So why is Mrs. Kravitz up to her antics?
I may have to find out. Stay tuned.
Analysts say Microsoft's decision to expand Chief Technology Officer Ray Ozzie's role in developing the company's software-based services is a good move.
Ozzie will broaden his current role as CTO to assume responsibility for the development of software-based services across Microsoft's newly formed core business divisions: Platforms and Services; Business; and Entertainment and Devices, as announced by Microsoft Corp. officials on Tuesday, in a statement.
Go here.
In an e-mail to employees Tuesday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spelled out his plans for the company's reorganization into three new divisions.
Under the subject heading of "Organizational Changes for Next Wave of Growth & Innovation," Ballmer said, "Today, we are announcing the creation of three new business divisions—Microsoft Platform Products & Services Division, which will be led by Kevin Johnson and Jim Allchin as co-Presidents; Microsoft Business Division to be led by Jeff Raikes as President; and Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division, which will be led by Robbie Bach as President."
Go here.
Sorry Ron, I know it’s expensive, but keep in mind that it’s unlocked (not tied to a specific carrier), so the phone will work on ANY GSM network in the world. As prices go, this is cheap for a Pocket PC phone, considering you will not have to tie yourself to a wireless carrier for 2 years to get the price down. For instance, the Siemens sx66 Pocket PC phone without a contract is approximately the same amount, if not higher.
I would also suggest, for those in the market for a good Pocket PC phone, to check ebay. The K-Jam is expensive, but the prices will come down. For instance, you can get a Siemens sx66 (iMate PDA2k), unlocked, on ebay, for $479 with buy it now. The link is here, and there are more posted, brand new, sealed boxes. I wouldn’t buy the devices direct from the carrier unless you don’t mind a two-year contract (which I know some chimpers would mind). I did a quick search on ebay, and I found two iMate XDA II’s for $539 and $549, again, unlocked. You just need an active SIM.
Happy shopping.
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Microsoft® and i-mate™ Celebrate Accelerated Growth of the Windows Mobile™ Microsoft® CEO, Steve Ballmer, met with Jim Morrison, Founder and CEO of i-mate™, the worldwide leader of Windows Mobile™ powered handsets and wireless solutions. Talks were held amid the backdrop of a marked growth in the uptake the Windows Mobile™ operating system. In Q1 2004, Windows Mobile™ devices accounted for an 18.3% share of the worldwide smart mobile device market; that figure rose to 23.1% in Q1 of 2005 marking 44% growth. i-mate™ solutions run exclusively on the Microsoft Windows Mobile™ platform.. Read more... |
These are “unlocked” GSM/GPRS phones, so all you need is a SIM card on the GSM network and you’re all set.
Get your Windows Mobile 5 upgrade here.
Per the website, the upgrade kit for the hx4700 series will be available in the spring of 2006.
Right after the Bill Gates, Ed Colligan, Denny Strigl press conference yesterday, Treo Central was able to grab a short impromptu interview with Greg Shirai, Director of Product Marketing for Palm. Read the transcript.
http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/687-1.htm
Google says a recent upgrade allows it to search roughly three times as many Web pages as any other rival. Despite the claim, the Mountain View, Calif., company declined to disclose how many Web pages it can search, saying industry disagreement about how to measure that led it to abandon its practice of disclosing the exact number. Google challenged Yahoo’s claim last month that its users can search through more than 19 billion Web pages. Google previously claimed that its engine could search about 8.2 billion pages. A number of issues, such as how to count Web pages that are essentially identical, make it difficult to compare numbers across search engines.
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