John at myITforum.com

If you own, buy more.  If you don’t, buy?

According to Digiwhack.com, XBox 360’s are averaging $3,750 each on ebay (because of the shortage of the consoles), with one bid topping $10,000.  Would you pay that much?

I did a search on ebay to see…no way I’d pay these prices.

Singapore-based Qool Labs has announced its latest multimedia mobile device, QDA Oh!. The new handheld runs on a Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition OS and is based on the Freescale iMX21 266MHz processor.

The company says the QDA Oh! is capable of processing capability similar to that of other handhelds based on a 500 MHz CPU. The platform has a bus master interface (BMI), which reduces the overhead to external graphics chips that enhances the 2D & 3D experience.

More info at Geekzone.

Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, today announced the availability of two enhanced services: Mobile Email and Mobile IM. 

Now, for the first time in the US market, Cingular customers can gain access to their existing email or IM accounts from AOL, MSN and Yahoo! through a set of simple, easy to use applications which can be accessed through a standard mass market phone.  Both the Mobile Email and Mobile IM applications are available for free on a download basis through the Cingular MEdia Mall to Cingular customers who have a compatible phone.  These new applications will give Cingular customers easy-to-use, pre-configured access to their email and IM accounts without the need to be tethered to their desktop or having to purchase a high-end, PDA-like device.

Not all handsets are supported yet, but more will be added soon.

To learn more about Cingular's Mobile Email service visit http://www.cingular.com/email

To learn more about Cingular's Mobile IM service, visit http://www.cingular.com/im

Cingular has apparently started selling the D307.  It’s a tri-band, GPRS/Edge device weighing in at only 4.3 oz.  The screen provides 176x220, 262k color resolution, and a full qwerty keyboard.  For only $199, not bad! 

T-Mobile has apparently initiated sales of the SGH-T309 from Samsung. A tri-band GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz handset, the SGH-T309 measures in at 3.7 x 1.9 x 1 inches and weighs 3 oz, incorporating among other features a 0.3 Megapixel camera capable of shooting stills at resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels.

With 4x digital zoom, the camera of the handset also offers a self-timer which can be set to 3, 5 or 10 seconds and a multi-shot function which snaps 6, 9 or 15 shots at normal or high speed. Post-snapping, effects and frames can be added to images, whilst editing functions include rotation and brightness adjustment, with the SGH-T309 also offering a night mode and LED flash.  Also capable of video playback on its 65K TFT internal colour display with a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels, the SGH-T309 sports a monochrome external display to provide users with basic information.

Microsoft confirmed on Thursday that devices running its newest mobile software are unable to connect to a PC in some cases.  The software maker said some users of ActiveSync 4, the latest version of Microsoft's synchronization software, are unable to link up to their PC, particularly on systems running firewall or parental control software. The problem occurs in devices based on Microsoft's Windows Mobile 5 operating system, including recently released handhelds from Dell and HP.

In addition to the troubleshooting guide that I blogged about earlier, Microsoft is apparently preparing a fix for ActiveSync 4.

The next couple of weeks should prove interesting for Cingular customers waiting for new devices.  Apparently, there are at least three data devices releasing.  A Blackberry 8700, and apparently an HTC 2100/2125, and an HTC 8100/8125 (the HTC Wizard and HTC Tornado).  The HTC Wizard is similar to the PPC-6700 from Sprint PCS.  The HTC Tornado is similar to the c600 from Orange.  We’ll see if they materialize.

One thing (I know Rod, there’s more than this that bugs you) that bugs me about Cingular.  Most wireless carriers pride themselves on their devices, so they rush out and make announcements on what they will be releasing months before they’re available.  They all do it, with one exception.  Cingular doesn’t ever confirm rumors, doesn’t ever announce what devices they’ll be carrying until right before they’re available for sale.  Why is that? 

Did you see this?  Delay was indicted, and had to have a booking photo.  Now, I don’t know about you, but if you’ve had a mug shot taken, or had to have one taken, would you do this?

This just in from the Washington Post.  China to shut borders if bird flu mutates.  I wonder if the birds will listen, and what the punishment will be if they refuse.

No, seriously, they have stated that they will close their borders if they find one case of human-to-human transmission.  We’ll see.

Now I almost wish I had.  One of these days…

“Google Inc. approached $100 billion in market value and analysts rushed to raise their price estimates after the company's results soared past the most optimistic of expectations.

Analysts at three firms including Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. said the stock may climb to $450 from today's record close of $339.90. At that price, Google would have a value more than double that of Yahoo! Inc. and vault into the top 20 largest U.S. companies, worth more than Coca-Cola Co. and Wells Fargo & Co.”

Can you imagine?  Google went public, now get this, at $85 per share.  You do the math.  If those shares really climb to $450 (the highest has been $346), that’s a $365 per share profit.  $365 per profit.  Now, actually imagine owning a 100 shares, a 1000 shares. 

Spotted an article on the internet this afternoon trying to compare the Treo 700 (Windows Mobile version) with the Treo 650.  Yes, I know, comparison already.  Now, before I go further, I know I’m not a big proponent of the Palm OS Treo, but the Treo is a neat form factor.  I just don’t like the Palm OS.

Anyway, I know everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I just have to wonder if this reporter had some other agenda in mind.  He states, “Now I have a host of Treo clients asking, "Is this the Treo I should buy?" or "Is this the Treo I should have waited for instead of getting the Treo 650?"  Again, nothing personal here, but I scanned the article looking for his conclusions.  His answer?  No, you shouldn’t buy the Windows Mobile version.  His reasons?  Get this.

“There is little benefit running the reduced Windows Mobile platform. The biggest downside is increased instability in the field. Imagine if your cell phone crashed frequently in the field, requiring a reboot your phone / PDA.”  Say what?  Has he talked to any Treo 600 or Treo 650 users at all?  This is my biggest complaint from my users.  It reboots by itself or just freezes, requiring a soft reset.  Seriously, do you think this guy has used a combo phone/pda running Windows Mobile?  My phone/pda running Windows Mobile 2003SE has NEVER crashed “in the field”.  I have done a soft reset occasionally, but it has never “crashed”.  Increased instability in the field?  Wow.    I have users complaining their 650’s “crash” once or twice A DAY. 

Second, the current device operates on CDMA technology, currently being use in the USA by Verizon wireless and Sprint /Nextel (on the Sprint side). The Treo 700 has only been released on the Verizon network, so if you really want it, you must move your service and phone number to Verizon.  Well, GSM/GPRS devices are coming, and if you care to read the press releases, you’ll see that.  You’ll just have to wait a little longer.  If you read further on this point however, you’ll read this.  The only real drawback with Cingular is the lack of international coverage.  Uh, how about Verizon Wireless having NO INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE TREO’S???  There may be a lack of international coverage with Cingular (not sure where exactly though), but you’ll have to rent a phone from Verizon Wireless to get international coverage. 

Then I read this.  “Because this is the first release of a Windows Mobile platform by PalmOne, lack of software (with thousands fewer units than Palm OS), and the other questionable benefits, I recommend that best choice continues to be the Treo 650 running Palm OS.”  Wow, really?  I’m running things on my Windows Mobile device, and doing things with my Windows Mobile device, that you just can’t run on the Palm OS, and certainly not a Treo with only 32 MB of internal RAM. 

Needless to say, you can draw your own conclusions.  This was just a tad bit disappointing to read to say the least.  I was hoping for a more “educated” review.

"All of us at Bryan Media are excited about having this service available for the public," says Bryan Media's President Steven Chanen. "It's exciting to see that the technology has come of age and is now ready for the market place. With everything moving so fast in the world these days, people want to be able to stay on top of breaking news and their favorite entertainment no matter where they are."

"Anyone will be able to watch Live TV with a video-enabled phone," says Bill Stack, President of IceTV, "It's like having your TV in your hand whenever you want it."

IceTV will launch with a channel line-up that includes news, sports, weather and a slate of entertainment programming that will allow its viewers to stay current on what's happening anywhere they travel from home. "We have also seen strong demand for ethnic programming, and expect to announce those channels in our line-up in the very near future," says Stack.

It can do (nearly) everything and fits in almost any pocket: the MDA Pro, available from T-Mobile Deutschland (where is the US version???).  The “mini notebook” is one of the first mobile devices worldwide to integrate the three technologies W-LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). Further features include a very large color screen, full keyboard and Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system.  

Novell is expected to initiate a major round of layoffs that could cut 1,000 or more jobs in an attempt to restore the server software company's financial strength, according to employees familiar with the plan.  The layoffs are expected to hit about 20 percent of the company's 5,800 employees and likely will be announced near the end of Novell's fiscal year, which ends Oct. 31, sources said.

Looking at the financial results, the company reported third-quarter results in August in which revenue dropped 5 percent to $290 million and net income dropped 91 percent to $2.1 million.

A net income drop of 91%.  Wow…is it time to RIP?

I’m guessing current Palm OS users caused a big stink…

A PalmSource spokesperson has said that the Access statements are completely incorrect. The Access spokesperson was misquoted and statements were taken out of context. PalmSource continues to support current versions of Palm OS while developing Palm OS for Linux.

The article stating that ACCESS expects the demise of Palm OS was incorrect and has been pulled from both the Computer Business Review site. A retraction will be published on Monday.

ACCESS has no intention of killing Palm OS or future development of the OS, and ACCESS fully intends to provide continual support for existing versions of Palm OS for customers, developers, and partners.

How did all of the companies rate with wireless call quality?  That’s what really matters right?  This is what led to Rod’s bug on the windshield category?  I think we all know who won that contest.  Did Rod make the right choice in his new selection?  Well, according to JD Power and Associates:

Northeast Region: T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless rank highest in a tie. T-Mobile performs particularly well in the areas of initial connection and in timely text mail notification. Verizon Wireless performs well due to fewer problems experienced with dropped/disconnected calls and voice distortion.

Mid-Atlantic Region: Verizon Wireless rank highest, with fewer reported problems in initial connection, dropped disconnected calls, static and voice distortion.

Southeast Region: T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless rank highest in a tie. T-Mobile performs particularly well in initial connection and calls not dropped/disconnected. Verizon Wireless experiences low problem rates in initial connection and voice distortion.

North Central Region: Verizon Wireless ranks highest among the largest group of ranked competitors, receiving the fewest reports from customers in the region of dropped/disconnected calls, static and voice distortion.

Southwest Region: New to the region this year, Nextel ranks highest overall, with fewer reported problems with dropped/disconnected calls and static versus the regional average.

West Region: Verizon Wireless ranks highest, with fewer problems experienced in the areas of voice distortion and dropped/disconnected calls.

Looks like Verizon Wireless was the company of choice for most of the country.

In the 2005 Wireless Retail Satisfaction Performance Study, released October 5 by J.D. Power and Associates, T-Mobile ranked "Highest in Overall Customer Satisfaction with Wireless Retail Service in a Tie." T-Mobile also earned highest honors in the same study in 2004.

Who did T-Mobile tie with in wireless satisfaction?  US Cellular and Verizon Wireless.  According to the award however, T-Mobile received 5 starts in overall satisfaction, cost, billing, and offerings.

What else was interesting?  Overall satisfaction performance with wireless service providers has decreased 10% over 2004.  No surprises there.

The study measures customer satisfaction based on 42 specific service-related measures grouped into six key factors that impact overall wireless carrier performance. These are (in order of importance): call performance and reliability (26%); customer service (17%); service plan options (17%); brand image (14%); cost of service (14%); and billing (12%). Carriers are ranked across six regions in the United States.

It may be time to take a harder look at T-Mobile…

T-Mobile has replaced some fixed lines in Prague with high-speed wireless technology it has decided to dub Internet 4G.  The service was launched yesterday and offers 1Mbit/s - fast enough to compete with a DSL connection while also offering mobility (in areas where the service is available).

The service is based on UMTS TD-CDMA, developed by IPWireless. The technology is based on the 3GPP broadband standard and uses the 1900MHZ spectrum allocated for GSM services in Europe.

Japanese mobile provider Willcom announces the Sharp W-ZERO3 or WS003SH named PocketPC phone with a full QUERTY keyboard.

 

The keyboard slides out to the side under the screen. The Sharp WS003SH has a 3.7 inch screen, Intel PXA270 CPU 416Mhz processor, 128MB Flash 64MB SDRAM and runs Windows Mobile 5.0, a 1.3 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a miniSD card slot, and USB

Major League Baseball is offering Windows Media video files of all the games from the 2005 Postseason.  Great for the Portable Media Center.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/video/dds_sell.jsp