John at myITforum.com

In my opinion (after about 6 hours of testing an iPhone), there are much better alternatives to mobile phones. 

Mobile buyers brought to AT&T's site by iPhone's pre-launch excitement will be greeted with a number of iPhone alternatives, but AT&T has pushed one to the front of the pack. AT&T chopped $300 off the $599 list price of its newest top-end 3G device.

Check out the stats, and you decide which phone gives you more connectivity options (including full 3G world capabilities), and more functionality, with full capabilities to add other applications, at a much better price:

Enterprise Mac | InfoWorld | AT&T positions new 8525 Pocket PC, promo price $299, as key iPhone alternative | June 26, 2007 10:14 PM | By Tom Yager

The Sprint PCS Treo 700p ROM update has been reposted and is now available for download. 

As part of our continuous effort to give customers the best possible experience, Palm offers an update that features performance and reliability enhancements.

Product enhancements:

• Performance improvements to phone application
• System improvements to minimize skipping during music playback and eliminate audio delays experienced on some games
• Performance improvement to minimize delays experienced when loading Blazer® browser
• Support for new daylight savings time legislation, plus a simplified Date/Time preference panel
• Increased expansion card support including 4GB SD cards and SDHC cards
• Resolution of certain "wake up" issues that may occur with certain third party push email solutions
• Improved handling of SMS messages to lessen stalling of messages.
• For customers using Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 with SP 2 and above, an update to VersaMail® client now includes an update to Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® which adds Microsoft’s Direct Push Technology for push email, calendar and contacts. Also adding other EAS functionality such as remote wipe, policy support, and global address lookup

Bluetooth® wireless technology enhancements:

• Increases list of supported/compatible Bluetooth wireless carkits, including BMW and Toyota/Lexus (Denso)
• Improves overall user experience with supported Bluetooth wireless carkits and headsets (e.g. allow user to manually connect / disconnect to a Bluetooth device)
• Additional Bluetooth wireless functionality (e.g. audio routing to Bluetooth headset even when wired headset is plugged in)

Palm - Support - Treo 700p Update

You really have to love the French don't you? 

FRENCH counter-espionage chiefs have upset hundreds of ministerial staff by banning BlackBerry mobile devices for fear the Americans may be spying on their emails.

Staff recruited to serve ministers in the Sarkozy administration are especially bothered by the attempt to enforce a two-year-old decree against such devices for state business.

Economic intelligence chief Alain Juillet told them BlackBerry communications were not secure because the system channelled emails through servers in the US and Britain. "The risk of interception is real. It's economic war," said Mr Juillet, according to Le Monde.

Paranoid French say goodbye to le Blackberry | NEWS.com.au

The University of Virginia is notifying about 6,000 current and former faculty members that their names, Social Security numbers, birth dates and other personal information may have been stolen by computer hackers between May 2005 and April of this year.

The Charlottesville-based university announced June 8 that a hacker or hackers had breached a “special- purpose Web application” that mistakenly included a link to a data table containing a variety of information about U.Va. faculty members. Investigators found that the system was broken into 54 times between May 20, 2005, and April 19, 2007, and that the records of 5,735 faculty members were accessed.

IT Error Opens Data Door at University

The system was broken in to 54 times from 2005 to 2007 and had access to personal data and no one noticed?

Microsoft Corp. launched a redesigned MSN portal optimized for mobile phones on Sunday, stepping up its offering at a time when more powerful devices increase the demand for richer content on handsets.

U.S. mobile Internet use still represents only a fraction of computer-based Web usage, but technology heavyweights like Microsoft see increasingly powerful mobile phones and faster networks opening the door for new services and content.

"We firmly believe there is an inflection point here," said Phil Holden, Microsoft's director of mobile Web services. "There's a new battle, a new frontline developing on the mobile phone."

Microsoft's new MSN Mobile portal -- http://mobile.msn.com -- offers news, sports information, entertainment features and access to services like e-mail, search, maps and instant messaging all on one page.

When a user accesses the portal, the MSN platform detects the handset and optimizes the site for that device, adjusting things like font sizes for different screens.

Sprint PCS has announced the HTC Mogul (6800).

Leaving the laptop behind and staying connected and productive just got easier with the introduction of the Mogul™ by HTC, the newest Windows Mobile® device from Sprint (NYSE:S). Operating on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, the Mogul™ by HTC is the first CDMA device in the U.S. with Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6 Professional Edition and will also be the first handset from Sprint that will support EV-DO Rev. A data speeds via a free software upgrade that will be made available at a later date.

“The Mogul™ by HTC gives customers the power to be more productive and manage a busy personal and professional life with the most advanced wireless capabilities and features available on any pocket-sized device,” said Danny Bowman, vice president of customer equipment for Sprint. “With support for Windows Mobile 6, Bluetooth and integrated Wi-Fi for data, customers have more choices for staying productive on the go today and can look forward to enhanced wireless data speeds in the future with the EV-DO Rev. A upgrade.”

Building on the strength of its predecessor, the Sprint PCS Vision Smart Device PPC-6700, the Mogul™ by HTC offers the same innovative design with slide-out QWERTY keyboard, large touch screen and five-way navigation button but also delivers several enhancements:

• Longer battery life – approximately 20 percent more than its predecessor, the PPC-6700.
• More internal memory – increases from 128 MB to 256 MB and can be expanded with a microSD card. A 512 MB card ships with the device with cards up to 2 GB being supported.
• Smaller design –Thinner than the PPC-6700; measuring at 4.33” x 2.32” x 0.73” while featuring an internal antenna.
• Higher resolution camera: resolution boosts to 2 MP with flash, auto-focus and camcorder capabilities, allowing customers to capture and share important business images or personal moments.
• Thumbwheel: enables convenient, one-handed operation.

The Mogul™ by HTC replicates the familiar Windows PC-based experience and utilizes a suite of software unavailable in the U.S. on any other CDMA device to deliver a variety of key benefits including increased security and added support for HTML email and Microsoft Office Mobile. Broad wireless data functionality gives customers more choices for quick and convenient email, attachments and text messages; view documents; browse the Web; listen to news, music and audio clips; and access corporate applications while on the go.

Sprint Customers Will Get More Done with the New Mogul(TM) by HTC

Looks an awful lot like the 8525...

I've been listening to Pandora Radio for several months.  Since I minimize the screen anyway, all of those ads don't bother me, and its a great way to listen and find new music for free.  You can imagine my excitement when I heard about Pandora Mobile.  So, I grabbed my mobile phone, launched my browser, and went to http://pandora.com....

Only to be met with...

Sorry.
Pandora does not support your device.

Currently, Pandora only supports certain Sprint devices.  Please visit www.pandora.com/mobile from a computer for more information.

What's up with that?  Sprint devices only?  Why would they do that?  This from a website who has been pushing it's listeners to contact Washington to keep Internet radio FREE.  Anyway, if you have a Sprint phone, head on over to check out Pandora Mobile.  The rest of us will have to do without.

Network Computing is reporting a Hatfields & McCoys of the 21st Century...

They're the Hatfields and McCoys of the 21st Century--spammers and the organizations that fight them. But now the Internet crooks are getting downright nasty and targeting their opponents directly.

The SANs Institute has discovered that a sizable distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack has affected several well-known antispam groups. Spamhaus, SURBL and several others seem to be the victims of an attack similar to the one that incapacitated--and eventually shut down--antispam software maker Blue Security last year. While some of the groups are back up, others are still trying to recover.

If there's a silver lining in all this, however, it is that the SANS folks believe antispam groups must be doing something right--otherwise the bad guys wouldn't be joining forces to strike back on such a level.

YouTube goes mobile.  Go to http://m.youtube.com on your mobile device.

This webcast complements other presentations on Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, and it serves as a step-by-step overview of the Communications Server 2007 installation process. We highlight the most common installation procedures, and we show the installation screens you will encounter. Attend this session to familiarize yourself with the installation of the product and to get a visual reference guide. This webcast is targeted to IT managers who are not yet familiar with Communications Server 2007, in addition to those who have already installed a previous version Microsoft Office Communications Server and are looking to upgrade.
Presenter: Robert Cameron, Real-Time Communications (RTC) Specialist, Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Webcast: Office Communication Server 2007 Installation Overview (Level 200)

Scott Adams comments on why he can't be an Archeologist...

http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/06/why_cartoonists.html

IntoMobile is reporting that Dell is now selling unlocked Nokia handhelds.  Is this the beginning of the end for US Wireless Carriers telling us which devices we can use on their networks, and forcing us in to a 2 year contract to boot?  Let's hope so... 

Dude, would you like a Nokia with that Dell? - IntoMobile

Is it worse than what was originally reported?

Working since Monday, a state data review team has discovered a backup computer storage device stolen contained sensitive information on state workers and others.

Here's a breakdown on what information was stored on the device and who, so far, is potentially affected by a possible data breach:
• Names and Social Security numbers of all 64,000 state employees.
• Names and Social Security numbers of 53,797 participants enrolled in the state's pharmacy benefits management program.
• Names and Social Security numbers of 75,532 dependents of participants enrolled in the pharmacy benefits program.
• 2,685 records of school district and local government names and bank account information.
• 159,708 records of Medicaid providers and their bank account information.
• Names and account numbers of 1,031 state employees who are teachers in the State Teachers Retirement System.
• Banking information on 28,362 state employees and vendors who have received electronic funds transfers from the state.

About 1.5 million various Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys, imported and distributed by the RC2 Corp., were recalled because paint on the toys contains lead that can be toxic if ingested by young children. No injuries have been reported. The recall includes wooden vehicles, buildings and other train set parts sold from January 2005 to the present. For more information, call (866) 725-4407, or go online at http://recalls.rc2.com or http://www.cpsc.gov .

January 2005 to the present?  Lead in children's toys PAINT?  Check your Thomas the Tank toys...

Information about thousands of teachers, vendors, school districts and local governments that conduct electronic transactions with the state are on a backup computer storage device stolen from the car of a state agency intern, Gov. Ted Strickland said Saturday.

Strickland announced the device was missing on Friday. It also included the names and Social Security numbers of all 64,000 state employees.

Strickland again said that he has no reason to believe the information — which can be used to steal from people by taking their identity — has been compromised because accessing it requires special equipment and expertise. He also has issued an executive order to change the procedures for handling state data.

More here.

Microsoft today is set to unveil upgrades to its Dynamic GP and SL ERP suites that add tighter integration with the vendor’s desktop and workflow software. The upgrade also provides access to tools for building customized user interfaces, Microsoft said.

The new version 10 of GP and version 7 of SL will improve integration with Microsoft Office applications and the SharePoint Server suite of middleware, content management and collaboration tools,  said Eric de Jager, director of Microsoft Dynamics SL.

The improved integration will let users more easily share data and analyze it using the Excel spreadsheet, he added.

Microsoft set to roll out ERP upgrades

Days after announcing plans to sell a stake in the company to a venture capital firm, handheld maker Palm has cut an unspecified number of jobs.   Workers were still in the process of being notified of the cuts Thursday afternoon. Some cuts are being made immediately, while others will take longer to implement, said a Palm spokesman.  He said: "It's a small percentage of our workforce," adding that Palm still has openings in some areas. The bulk of the jobs being eliminated are in the US and in Palm's development ranks, though there are some cuts across the company, according to the spokesman.

He said the move was "not about cost-cutting" but rather about "eliminating some of the hierarchy" at the company.

After the great success of Resco Photo Viewer 2007, Resco is proud to announce the release of the long awaited and demanded Resco Photo Viewer Professional Edition. 

Resco Photo Viewer has always been a top choice for users who wanted to store, edit and view pictures and images on their device. Many professionals use it every day in order for them to perform their profession wherever they may be. Having a strong application like Resco Photo Viewer handy at all times became not only a convenience, but also a necessity. That is why Resco went further in order to bring these professionals and the like an even more complex version of the Photo Viewer with new tools that will enable all those who work with images and pictures on a professional level to have the application, which can do it all. 

The professional version of Resco Photo Viewer 2007 has all the features of the standard edition along with new features like the histogram so that it is possible to check the quality of photographs, supports most raw formats and the possibility to upload images onto any FTP. All these features should make the life of any professional working in the fields such as media or photography much easier with Resco Photo Viewer 2007 Professional Edition being the tool of the trade. 

Easy browsing
Browse through pictures in folders in a way you are used to it!

Slideshow
Impress your clients, colleagues or friends with a slide-show presentation!

Beyond standard editing tools!
Set as wallpaper, make notes or drawings, adjust the contrast, brightness …

Uploading to Flickr.com
Share your pictures with your loved ones just seconds after you take them!

Video and animation preview
Animated picture or even a video? No problem!

Add to contact
An easy way to add enhanced and cropped photos to your contacts!

The Professional Edition has been specially designed for people working as photographers, journalists or anywhere else in the media where they need such a tool handy at all times.

RAW support
Supported image formats: RAW, CRW, CR2, RAF, MRW, NEF, ORF, PEF ...

Upload to FTP
Choose an FTP and upload your photos immediately

Resco Photo Viewer for Pocket PC

What a way to reward fans of the sport...

Attorneys representing Major League Baseball argued Thursday that online fantasy baseball companies cannot operate without paying license fees to MLB to compensate players for the use of their names. 

A federal appeals panel of three judges seemed skeptical that MLB could take financial control of a game that uses publicly available statistics and widely known names of players.

"MLB is like a public religion. Everyone knows (the players') names and what they look like," said U.S. Judge Morris Arnold. "This is just part of being an American, isn't it?"

Full story here.

Microsoft has released an update for the spelling checker in the 2007 Microsoft Office programs. This release is an update to the English-language dictionary.

Go here.

Just in time to address the newest Consumer Product, the Apple iPhone...but strangely, they include things like blogs?

The wealth of consumer products flooding the enterprise is one of the biggest threats to corporate security, according to a Gartner report.

Employees are increasingly expecting to use their personal equipment and services on the job. At the same time, executives are deciding to adopt more consumer technologies within business operations. With this growing wave of personal tech -- like instant messaging, blogs and MP3 players -- being used in the office and on the road, IT managers are forced to deal with the security holes they could be creating in the network.

"Although consumer technologies create new risks for the enterprise, eliminating their use is increasingly difficult, and impractical," said Rich Mogull, research vice president for Gartner, in a written statement. "By taking security precautions and investing in foundational security technologies now, enterprises can prepare themselves for increasing use of consumer devices, services and networks with their organization, and manage these risks."

http://www.informationweek.com/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199904383

Stick a fork in me, I'm done reading all the hype on the iPhone.  This article actually says the iPhone is ahead of it's time because apps will have to be run with web services inside the Safari browser.  The title is "The iPhone's biggest innovation...mobile apps".  From the article:

Ahead of Its Time

When the iPhone was introduced, Steve Jobs stated that it was five years ahead of any other phone out there. By pressing the mobile apps via the web browser button, it might not be five years out, but are certainly well out and ahead of other manufacturers and carriers.

WHAT?   Anyone ever heard of ASP.NET?  WML?  What about WAP?  Are they really trying to tell me that the Apple iPhone is the first to run web applications on a phone?  Or are they the first to restrict it to ONLY web apps?  OK...nevermind...that's called innovation and revolutionary...

The Connecticut attorney general has launched an investigation into the compromise of up to 17,000 of Pfizer employees, including some 300 employees within his home state. Pfizer would not comment on when the breach occurred other than to say it involved a Pfizer employee who had taken the data home on a laptop, a machine that subsequently became compromised. The data, including the employees' name, home address, bonus information, and Social Security number, was surreptitiously uploaded and later appeared on an Internet site. Pfizer did not know how much of that information had been copied or used by others.

The company has offered the affected employees $25,000 in insurance to cover any costs resulting from the breach. Employees were asked to respond within 90 days. In a letter dated June 6, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal asked the pharmaceutical company to also freeze the affected employees' credit ratings and pay any fees associated.

More here.

The Windows Vista team is reporting that on Tuesday 22 June, they'll be publishing via Windows Update the final version of a compatibility update for Windows Vista to support new 8 GB and larger Secure Digital (SD) cards.  Customers using this type of card for ReadyBoost or other purposes can receive this update via the usual automatic Windows Update method.  It will allow for full functionality of these newer SD cards on Windows Vista, and also improves support for SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDIO (Secure Digital Input-Output) cards.

Win a Home Office Makeover...

Tell us about your home office and you might win a makeover from Vern Yip, Microsoft and HP. The grand prize winner will receive a home office makeover and technology prize package valued at $25,000. See Prizes for details on the grand prize and prizes for the three finalists.
Enter before July 4, 2007. See Rules for complete details.

Microsoft Home Office Makeover Contest

SOTI has released Pocket Controller Pro v6.

• Connectivity - Connect via ActiveSync or Wired/Wireless TCP/IP. Configure multiple connection
• Device Skin - View your mobile device in a device skin, skins for most Windows Mobile (Pocket PC and Smartphone) devices are available
• Full Screen Background Mode - View the remote control session against a solid color or HTML background, ideal for presentations
• Portrait or Landscape Display Modes - View your mobile device screen in portrait or landscape modes
• DOS Box - Use the DOS Box Tool to remotely execute DOS commands
• Clipboard Synchronization - Transfer data between Mobile Device and Desktop computer clipboards. This facility allows data to be easily exchanged between desktop and device applications
• Macro Recording/Playback - Record keystrokes and mouse events to a macro file that can be played back. Macro files are text files that can be edited and customized
• Automatic Startup - Can be configured to automatically start/stop when you dock/un-dock your mobile device profiles, multiple TCP/IP addresses, control multiple devices simultaneously by running multiple instances of Pocket Controller
• Support for all international keyboards
• 10 months of free upgrades and technical support

SOTI, Inc. - Remote Control, Management and Support of all Windows based mobile devices

Check this out.

Marvel comics legend Stan Lee is developing an animated series for MTV starring Paris Hilton, his office confirmed to Gatecrasher.  A separate source directly involved with the project likened it to the 'Stripperella' cartoon developed by Lee in 2003 for Pamela Anderson.  The insider said the deal had been inked and would include a credit for former Hilton boyfriend Paris Latsis, who was also on board.

Paris shaped by the pen

In case you missed it, Kevin upgraded Diarist to Diarist 2.1.   

Kevin Daly's Diarist - Blogging for Pocket PC

Let's see what they say when the Apple iPhone releases...

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/06/11/review_htc_touch_smart_phone/

The Window Mobile Team has a great post on feature prioritization. 

On the Left Hand: How Feature Prioritization Happens