John at myITforum.com

For those with Windows Vista deployed and using Bitlocker, there's a great site for FAQs if you haven't seen it.

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/58358421-a7f5-4c97-ab41-2bcc61a58a701033.mspx?mfr=true

T-Mobile has just confirmed the specs and features of their freshly released MDA Vario IV. Here’s what T-Mobile’s MDA Vario IV (similar to the HTC Raphael) has to offer:
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional,
• Qualcomm MSM 7200 CPU at 528 MHz,
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE (900/1800/1900 MHz),
• Dualband UMTS/HSDPA (850/2100 MHz) up to 7.2 Mbps,
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR,
• WiFi b/g and GPS (FM radio?),
• 256 MB RAM and 512 MB ROM,
• MicroSD memory slot,
• 5-rows slide-out QWERTZ/Y keyboard.

Say what?  A 5-row slide out keyboard???

The other question is, T-Mobile internationally always gets the goods.  Why doesn't T-Mobile in the US ever get it?  T-Mobile in the US looks and reads like a Blackberry shop.  They have the Dash (how OLD is that), the Shadow, and the Wing.  The specs aren't impressive...

Experience faster and smoother browsing with NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile Concept Version. Leveraging the latest NetFront Browser core available for the Windows Mobile platform, NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile Concept Version features improved key operation, stylus pen functionality and overall usability. The browser also features improvements in speed including first draw time, zooming speed and rendering mode selection.

ACCESS encourages you to download NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile Concept Version and submit your feedback using the form listed at the bottom of this page.

Well, I've finally done it.  The first vacation I've had with the entire family in 4 years.  The last time I took the entire family somewhere was Cancun, MX when my boys were 2,3 and 5.  My boys are now 6,7 and 9.  I'm leaving for Puerto Vallarta in six days.  Friday morning can't come fast enough...and I'll be there for ten days.

Been looking forward to this for quite awhile...I can't wait.  I probably won't be blogging much, unless the mood strikes me.  I'll certainly have my Tilt to blog with, and should be able to since data works in MX, but we'll see.

Is the Pantech Duo 2 on the way?  The Pantech Duo C810 is currently on AT&T.  Is this the new model?

FCC

Check out the beta of Sysinternals Live, a service that enables you to execute Sysinternals tools directly from the Web without hunting for and manually downloading them. Simply enter a tool’s Sysinternals Live path into Windows Explorer or a command prompt as \\live.sysinternals.com\tools\<toolname.exe> or view the entire Sysinternals Live tools directory in a browser at http://live.sysinternals.com.

High Tech Computer (HTC) has already shipped its first batch of over 10,000 HTC Touch Diamond handsets to Hong Kong CSL, according to market sources, contradicting market rumors stating that HTC would delay shipments until June.

HTC will eventually start deliveries to telecom service operators in Europe as well as those in other Asia Pacific markets in June, said the sources who are familiar with HTC's roadmap.

HTC, having just launched the first model in the HTC Touch Diamond lineup, also recently unveiled a second-version (codenamed Raphael) in Germany. The new model adds a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

HTC will cooperate with T-Mobile to market the two models in Germany, with the first Touch Diamond to be available under T-Mobile's MDA Compact IV trade name and the second under the name MDA Vario IV, the sources noted.

Source

Interesting...

Microsoft is investigating new public reports of a blended threat that allows remote code execution on all supported versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista when Apple’s Safari for Windows has been installed. Safari is not installed with Windows XP or Windows Vista by default; it must be installed independently or through the Apple Software Update application. Customers running Safari on Windows should review this advisory.

At the present time, Microsoft is unaware of any attacks attempting to exploit this blended threat. Upon completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate measures to protect our customers. This may include providing a solution through a service pack, the monthly update process, or an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customers needs.

Mitigating Factors:

• Customers who have changed the default location where Safari downloads content to the local drive are not affected by this blended threat.

Need a notebook and don't want to pay a lot?  Willing to buy a refurbished unit?  Check out HP's clearance center:

The Washington Post is reporting:

Apple Inc.'s iPhone, a new model of which is widely expected this summer, took 19.2 percent of the U.S. market for "smart" phones in the first quarter of 2008, according to research firm IDC's vendor survey.

That was down from 26.7 percent of smart phones sold in the fourth quarter of last year, which included the holiday shopping season, IDC found.

Much of the slack was picked up by Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry, which took 35.1 percent of the market in the fourth quarter and then 44.5 percent in the first.

IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said the BlackBerry is now strong in the "prosumer" segment, as RIM has successfully widened the appeal of the device beyond the professionals who have been its core customer group.

Palm picked up 13%, Samsung picked up 9%.  Moto picked up 3%.

Now wouldn't this be something...

As the FCC auctions off an unused spectrum of airwaves, the winner may be forced to provide free wireless internet for most of the country. No date or terms for the auction have been set, but the government's deal requires that free service on the 25 MHz spectrum reaches at least half the in five years and 95 percent within ten years. The agreement, proposed by FCC chairman Kevin Martin, also stipulates that the bidder must filter out obscene content for allowing the winner to use the remaining portion of the spectrum for commercial purposes.

"We're hoping there will be increased interest in the proposal; and because this will provide wireless broadband services to more Americans, it is certainly something we want to see," said FCC spokesman Rob Kenny.

CTIA, the principal trade group for wireless companies, is unenthusiastic about the proposal, taking issue with the provision that the service must be free. Prior to this proposal, there has been little interest in this portion of the spectrum, as wireless carriers preferred the 700MHz airwaves auctioned a few months ago.

A startup company called M2Z previously asked to use the airwaves for free, providing free wireless with a content filter and garnering revenue from advertising that would be shared with the government. The FCC turned M2Z down, saying the company needed to bid against other carriers, but Martin's proposal is very similar. The next step is a June 12^th meeting where more details are expected to be hammered out.

Source: AP Business and Yahoo! News, and Switched

Microsoft has optimistically announced that it expects at least 50% growth for Windows Mobile in 2008 and 2009 as smartphone sales rise rapidly.

"Fifty percent growth is the minimum," says Eddie Wu, the software company's managing director of OEM embedded devices Asia.

Microsoft expects to sell 20 million units in the fiscal year ending in June, far higher than the previous year's 11 million.

"We're actually still seeing very good growth (for our mobile software) in markets like Europe and the United States," says Wu, adding that growth of Windows Mobile has been fastest in the emerging markets of Asia, the Middle East, Brazil, Russia and India.

Source

Jason Dunn writes it...and since I've installed Zune Software for my Zune, I couldn't agree more...

Something interesting happened this month: after the Zune 2.5 software update was released, I started using it more to actually listen to music. Does that sound a bit strange? Previously I'd really only used it as synching software - meaning I'd load it up to push music, photos, and videos onto my Zune - but not much else. My Zune syncs with my Media Center machine, a computer that I use primarily for watching TV and DVDs. It's hooked up to a Dell 26" LCD TV and a Logitech 5.1 speaker system, so I often use it to listen to music, but always in Media Center mode so I can use the remote to control the tunes.

As I used the Zune 2.5 software more I came to realize that it was everything that Windows Media Player 11 was not: friendly, fast, agile, and able to easily handle my 12,403 songs (that's what the Zune software tells me I have). It's also much faster at picking up new content in monitored folders, which solves a long-standing problem I've had with adding new music to my collection and not being able to play it right away from another computer. It doesn't hurt that the Zune software is so beautiful and fun to use either! Windows Media Player 11 looks sad in comparison.

Source

A Canadian privacy group has filed a complaint against the social networking site Facebook accusing it of violating privacy laws.

The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic has listed 22 separate breaches of privacy law in its country.

Clinic Director Phillipa Lawson told the BBC that, with over 7 million users in Canada, "Facebook needs to be held publicly accountable".

Facebook rejects the charge, claiming some of the highest standards around.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7428833.stm

Be one of the first...and see the Instinct defeat the iPhone.  The downside?  Instinct runs on a proprietary platform with a Java application layer.

http://www.nowisgood.com/?id9=SEM

Reserve yours today...