zzzPhone Update: "Windows for Mobiles"?#
Post By Don Sorcinelli

Back on Feb. 6th, Steve Hughes posted on some... um - "irregularities" regarding the now-infamous zzzPhone, which promised a fully-customized phone with lots of bells and whistles, including Windows Mobile for the OS, for only $149. At the time, Steve made some very valid points that led to the conclusion that this was in fact a scam - at least from the point of the price including a licensed copy of Windows Mobile on board.

Turn to today, when I decided to pay a visit back to the zzzPhone web site. Lo and behold - the specs now list the operating system as Windows for Mobiles.

zzzPhone

Folks, this is the third time I have seen this operating system change. First, it went from Windows Mobile to Windows Mobile 6. This was not long after there were some inquiries to the "manufacturer" regarding whether or not Windows Mobile 6 was included. On a side note - the radio stack frequencies supported conveniently changed early on after it was noted in some forums that the frequencies listed would not support all US networks. Timing is everything, they say... ;-)

I still encourage people to take a good look around the zzzPhone web site. Try to find any copyright notices for operating systems. Any partnerships with OS licensers. Take a good long look at the mockups of the screen for the zzzPhone. It could very well turn out that these phones are running a legitimate OS on them, but Windows Mobile or Symbian? I don't think so.

I will be curious to hear from those who have spent the $149 to find out what they discover. Hopefully, they aren't expecting a refund if Windows Mobile is not on board. You see - the "service guarantee" on the zzzPhone web site states the following:

We guarantee our products to be free from manufacturer defects and will repair or replace your order within 30 days if there are any manufacturer defects in your phone.

A different operating system that works likely won't be considered a "defect", and there is no money back - only a replacement.

As always, ladies and gentlemen - Caveat Emptor...

2/19/2008 10:19:10 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [2]  |  Trackback

 

CES 2008 -Fuel Efficiency and Emission Reduction#
Post By Johan van Mierlo

Mtech Inc. (www.moletech.us), an innovator of automotive and transportation fuel savers, introduced its innovative Moletech Fuel Saver at the CES.  The technology was first launched in Australia and now makes its introduction here in the US.  A universal system, the Moletech Fuel Saver can deliver fuel savings and emission reduction to all fossil fueled engines.

The Moletech Fuel Saver is the end result of 10 years of research and development,  over 25 million miles and three years of exhaustive testing on 300 vehicles in the U.S., Taiwan and China.  Moletech Fuel Saver’s molecule reaction technology works together with a vehicle’s fuel, cooling and air filter systems to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.

 

 

In July 2007, the California Environment Engineering (CEE) Center for Environmental Research tested the Moletech Fuel Saver using Federal Test Procedures (FTP). 

 

Results from the CEE concluded, “Analysis indicated a reduction in the tailpipe emissions and an increasing improvement in fuel economy using the Moletech Fuel Saver device.  This included a significant reduction in Total Hydrocarbons (THC) and Carbon Monoxide (CO).  The results of the limited but decisive test series is considered noteworthy and verifies with a high level of confidence the viability of the technology, while indicating that more dramatic improvement could be expected and achieved with time.  The device, as tested, provided results that are more dramatic than similar technologies previously evaluated.”

 

Mtech’s molecular technology incorporates Molecule Reaction Technology to reduce fuel usage and decrease harmful emissions.   Key features of the Moletech Fuel Saver include:

·         Saves up to 20% on gasoline

·         Saves up to 10% on diesel

·         Saves up to 15% on LPG

·         Improves horsepower

·         Reduces harmful exhaust pollutants

·         Lowers greenhouse gases

·         Removes the engine’s carbon build up

·         Easily fitted at Authorized Installers

·         Lasts for more than 10 years

 

Easily installed in any vehicle, the Moletech Fuel Saver is a simple solution for fuel saving and emission reduction.  The Fuel Savers are small enough to fit in a pocket, yet deliver certified results. 

 

The Moletech Fuel Saver is a universal product that can be easily installed in any fossil-fueled vehicle including automobiles, motorcycles, diesel engines, trucks, fleet vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and boats.  The Fuel Saver is available in eight different models for all vehicles from scooter to semi vehicles.  The model is determined by engine size and fuel-type including the following:

  • Model #M1027 – gasoline engines under 3 liters
  • Model #M1058 – gasoline engines between 3-6 liters
  • Model #M1010 – gasoline engines between 100cc-1100cc
  • Model #M1003 – gasoline engines up to 100cc
  • Model #M1034 – diesel engines under 6 liters
  • Model#M1041 – diesel engines over 6 liters
  • Model #M1089 – LGP engines all models
  • Model #M1096 – LGP and gas (dual fuel) engine all models

 

When the Moletech Fuel saver was professionally installed in the testing vehicles, the increase of the vehicle’s horsepower and reduction of carbon build-up, fuel consumption, and reduction of toxic and greenhouse exhaust emissions was notable and impressive. 

With today’s gas prices and new laws, the Moletech Fuel Saver is a cost-effective and simple solution for anyone environmentally minded or trying to save money.

 

Now let see if the car companies are going to snatch this up if it s working as they have tested. It would be a small price to pay for the huge environmental benefit.

 

Moletech Fuel Saver will be available nationwide in 2008 at select dealers and stores.  For additional information on this revolutionary product, visit www.moletech.us.

Misc | News | Internet
1/17/2008 9:21:01 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

CES 2008 Slogan should be...#
Post By Johan van Mierlo

Many thoughts are going through my mind after returning from the CES in Las Vegas. But as Steven Hughes here at BostonPocketPC is recapping the show in a few words that says it all.

"Evolutionary but not Revolutionary"

With many things to see nothing was that exciting that would give the vibes. A Lot of the technology out there was put towards new and good uses.

For example:
- Live HD radio captioned for the hearing impaired.
- Live video conferencing for the hearing impaired. Maybe next year they will probably be joining together and the hearing impaired will be able to conference with anyone in any way and it won't be a handicap anymore.

With the technology out there that we always wanted, this was the show where the applications using these technologies were able to catch up before a new technology will replace it and everyone can go back to the drawing board

1/11/2008 7:40:13 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

CES 2008 it begins...#
Post By Steve "fyiguy" Hughes

Well we have arrived in Las Vegas for the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show aka CES, which makes this eight years in a row for me of attending the technology preview of things to come in the future of CE. Technology sure has changed over the years and so has the size of the show. This year I was just planning on hitting several events at CES and just leisurely walking the floor, but for some insane reason I am going to be meeting with some companies to show us their latest and greatest and I will be sure to take lots of pictures and share our findings here at BPPC. The we being Johan van Mierlo and Eric Hicks will be joining myself in Vegas and we will be sharing our finds and info with you here. If there is anything of interest you would like to see or hear about give us a shout and will see if we can make it happen like shots of the next largest television at CES, which is supposed to be a good sized bigger than last years winner from Sharp at 108" from Panasonic.

ces logo

We will also be meeting up with some friends and colleagues as well at several events and will share those as well. Our next meeting I will do another annual slide show and presentation like have done from previous years. So stay tuned.

1/6/2008 9:24:43 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

Holiday Specials from VITO Technology and Handango#
Post By Don Sorcinelli

'Tis the season for holiday specials for Windows Mobile software...

  • VITO Technology - 25% Discount
    VitoLogo
    "December is the time of holidays, magic & presents! VITO Technology wishes its customers Merry Christmas and happy New Year and presents a 25% discount for all VITO products*.
  • 25% discount will be available till the end of this year December, 31 at www.vitotechnology.com and www.iwindowsmobile.com. This year was very fruitful for us and we invite you to harvest for the holiday gifts with 25% discount!

    This year VITO products again are high on the list among the best of the best Windows Mobile software nominated at the Best Software Awards. Make sure to take advantage of the holiday discount to get your hands on such best-sellers as VITO AudioNotes, VITO SoundExplorer, VITO Voice2Go, VITO ButtonMapper (2008 WINNER) and others with 25% discount.

    The discount is also available for our brand-new top quality software with finger friendly interface, fancy graphics and animated menus. Go ahead and discover the new appealing looks of Windows Mobile and its surprising functionality with this new software. FunContact, GoodWin, ZoomBoard are waiting for your Pocket PC at www.iwindowsmobile.com. Give it a new Good Start!

    We wish you a wonderful Holiday Season and a New Year filled with Peace and Happiness!"

    EDITOR'S NOTE: Be sure to watch for a review of FunContact, GoodWin and ZoomBoard coming soon!

  • Handango - Save Up To 20% Sitewide
    handangologo
    Handango has two promotions going on for the holidays. The first is a 10% off using code HOLIDAYS10. If you are looking for an even bigger discount, Handango is offering a 20% discount by simply using this page to forward on the holiday promotion to one or more friends (your promotion code will be displayed after filling out the form).

    This Handango promotion is also good through December 31st.
12/8/2007 10:51:04 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [2]  |  Trackback

 

Bank of America launches Mobile Banking service#
Post By Steve "fyiguy" Hughes

If you do alot of online banking with Bank of America you may have noticed several blurbs about their upcoming service for mobile phones. I know this has been a sore point in many peoples sides for some time. Well, they now  launched their new Mobile Banking service to enable its customers to manage their personal finances on the go. Best of all it is free!

The new BOA's new service gives users an ability to check balances on their accounts, mortgages and home equity lines, pay bills, and transfer money between accounts and to other customers of the bank. One of the key issues with mobile banking is security, and Bank Of America promises highly secured environment for all mobile transactions — customers are protected with the bank's SiteKey security service, as well as its Zero Liability Online Banking Guarantee.

To access Mobile Banking, customers simply go to the web browser on your mobile phone and enter www.bofa.mobi. Once on the site, customers enter their Online Banking ID and passcode to access their accounts. For more information and the terms of service head here.

5/24/2007 1:43:38 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [10]  |  Trackback

 

BuyGPSNow.com Names New Editors / OnCourse Navigator 6 Review#
Post By Don Sorcinelli

Two bits of news to report here. First - I am pleased to announce that I have agreed to work with Joe Kee and the folks at BuyGPSNow.com as an editor and reviewer. Joe approached me on this a while back. Based upon the fact that I have been a longtime fan of BuyGPSNow.com as a place to find someof the best deals around on GPS hardware and software solutions, I could not help but accept the offer. Joe has written a brief announcement regarding the news at the BuyGPSNow web site.

As a first act in the role of reviewer, I have just finished my review of the new OnCourse Navigator 6 solution. Rather than duplicate the post, you can find the complete review here. One quote from my review may give you some insight into the detailed review -

I have rarely come across a GPS solution for a Windows Mobile device that is user-friendly from "soup to nuts". OnCourse Navigator 6 is definitely an exception. From initial installation to configuration to route planning to usage, OCN6 provides all of the tools to make GPS navigation an enjoyable experience for me.

Be sure to check out the full review, complete with loads of screenshots and information.

4/22/2007 9:26:57 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [16]  |  Trackback

 

#
Post By Steve "fyiguy" Hughes

Spb Software House has released  Spb Diary 2.5, an update to the award winning Pocket PC PIM Today plug-in. Spb Diary is a feature-rich Today plug-in for your Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, Notes and Messages providing users with the highest level of functionality and usability. 



The new version provides more than 40 improvements requested by users during the last months. The most noticeable changes are the ability to put any Today plug-ins in a form of Spb Diary's tabs and the new horizontal tabs, which made it possible to show all your PIM information in full screen while keeping the rest Today plug-ins one-click accessible. Other improvements cover many different usage scenarios making this upgrade of use to every user of Spb Diary.

Further information regarding Spb Diary 2.5 can be found at the Spb website.

What's new in Spb Diary 2.5 head here.

4/19/2007 2:16:22 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

AT&T Announces New International Smartphone and PDA Data Plans#
Post By Steve "fyiguy" Hughes

Accessing e-mail and other data wirelessly while overseas is now much more cost-effective as AT&T Inc. announced today the availability of international data plans that offer greatly reduced data roaming rates to customers using any AT&T-powered smartphone or PDA. The new global rate plans range from $44.99 to $69.99 a month, depending on device class and e-mail platform. They include 20 megabytes (MB) of international data use in nearly 30 countries with UMTS, EDGE or GPRS wireless data networks, as well as unlimited domestic access.  The plans apply to such devices as BlackJack™, the Cingular 3125 Smartphone, Cingular 8525 Pocket PC, HP iPAQ hw6920 Mobile Communicator, Palm® Treo™ 680, Palm® and Treo™ 750.

With AT&T’s new Global Smartphone and PDA plans, customers now have plan options to cover international data usage on any business-oriented wireless device sold by AT&T.  AT&T also offers international data plans for BlackBerry® and wireless laptop connectivity.          

“AT&T already has the broadest international voice and data roaming footprint of any U.S. carrier, and now it is the only wireless provider in the nation to offer global data plans to its entire portfolio of business-oriented devices,” said Jeff Bradley, vice president of wireless business data services for AT&T. “These new plans give our customers much greater control over their international wireless costs. They provide a large enough allocation of data and significantly reduced overage charges so that employees can use their smartphone or PDA to check e-mail, browse the Web or access other data applications when abroad without incurring higher pay-per-use roaming charges.”

 AT&T’s new international data plans for smartphones and PDAs can offer customers significant cost savings over traditional, per kilobyte (KB) data charges for use outside the U.S.  For example, 20MB of international data usage at a standard $.0195 per KB rate would result in a charge of $399.36, some $330 more than the highest tier combined monthly domestic/international charge under the new AT&T plans.

Smartphone Connect Global monthly plans start at $44.99 with a voice contract and PDA Connect Global plans begin at $64.99 a month with a voice plan. Customers can sign up for AT&T’s new international data plans for smartphones and PDAs at any Cingular Wireless retail store, or through AT&T’s wireless business-to-business sales organization.

For more information on the new plans, please go here.

To view countries included in the new international plans, please go here.

4/19/2007 2:01:32 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [3]  |  Trackback

 

CBS to be "Sling"ed to Mobile Devices#
Post By Steve "fyiguy" Hughes

CBS Corp. announced today that it has signed a new deal with Sling Media to create the CBS Interactive Audience Network along with several other significant companies including AOL, Microsoft, CNET Networks, Comcast, Joost, Bebo, Brightcove, Netvibes, and Veoh.   This announcement is set to position CBS as the most widely distributed professional content provider online. Can you say a move in the right direction?

Sling Media’s role will be to distribute free, ad supported, full length as well as clip-based video content from CBS via Clip+Sling and enhanced SlingPlayer software, which will be launched for both Slingbox and non-Slingbox customers this summer. In addition, Sling Media plans to integrate the same CBS content into additional platforms including its forthcoming SlingCatcher.

"We are excited to extend our business relationship with CBS by offering our current and future audiences access to great long form programming from CBS that covers the spectrum from drama and comedy to sports and news," said Jason Hirschhorn, president of the Sling Media Entertainment Group. "CBS is proving they are a leader in the digital media space by embracing new platforms for content distribution. The announcement is an example of true ubiquity as evidenced by the cast of both new and established partners. We are proud to be working with them on this endeavor."

I can see in the future other Viacom entertainment properties moving in this direction as well like MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1,etc. Content will not be no longer be available as live only, but this brings a whole another direction to place-shifting television and Video on Demand. I have been watching "On Demand" CBS content on my Comcast cable box and I am assuming the same content will also be available. Me and my wife were able to catch up on the whole series of Jericho (a season and a half)in a single weekend and we watched it in HD!  I can't wait to see more and via my Slingbox optimized for my Windows Mobile device no less!

4/12/2007 3:31:39 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [2]  |  Trackback

 

PocketThemes.com and PocketPCMall.com Relaunched#
Post By Don Sorcinelli

Back in January, we reported on Netwasp's aquisition of KamWare's ThemeMaker. Many people may not be aware that Netwasp also is the owner of PocketThemes.com and its e-Commerce sibling PocketPCMall.com. Well, word has now come that Netwasp has re-launched these two longtime web sites -

In its heyday PocketThemes was the number 1 resource for all things ‘Pocket PC themes’; linked to by every major player in the industry and used by everyone wanting to publish that “must-have” theme”. Due to a number of technical and organizational reasons both sites went down a few years ago and, although the top spot in Google went over to Netwasp’s other community themes site (PocketPCThemes.com) PocketThemes has already proven it can rival the best of them.

PocketPCMall is the eCommerce brother of PocketThemes providing a wide variety of themes and software dedicated to Pocket PC users. The site can boast the largest collection of Animated Today and FlashThemes themes anywhere in the world, as well as themes for FlashThemesPro and the soon to come FlashDash.

Welcome to PocketThemes.com - The Windows Mobile Themes Site!

 

 

If you haven't paid a visit to PocketThemes.com lately, now would be a good time to do so.

3/25/2007 9:09:03 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [1]  |  Trackback

 

Pda Home Page - Mobile Device Web Link Heaven!#
Post By Don Sorcinelli

With links to nearly 1000 PDA-friendly websites, Pda Home Page makes a compelling argument for being your first stop for Mobile Internet discovery.

I suggest taking a look at Pda Home Page on your mobile device. My guess - it will be the newest addition to your Mobile Favorites :-D 

3/25/2007 8:49:22 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

Google Maps for Mobile#
Post By Steve "fyiguy" Hughes

I saw this over at jkOnTheRun yesterday and gave Google Maps for Mobile a quick go on my trip home with one of my bluetooth GPS units. It worked pretty well and is more designed for a co-pilot or navigator to use than a driver. Since there is no voice direction. It requires an always on data connection like Windows Live Local and Virtual Earth Mobile.

Directions work well with data provided by NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas for the GoogleMaps that many love with live traffic updates. You are represented on the map as a blue icon. GMM also lets you know how many satellites are fixed on you in the upper right-hand corner.

To start using a GPS just select Menu->Track Location(GPS). Here is what it looks like before it gets a fix inside of a building on an overcast day. :(  (If I can screen cap an image outside I will update it) It then downloads the map for your current position and lays it underneath.

You can choose to view with either the map or satellite like in Google Maps.You can Zoom in fairly close and can move around the maps with your directional pad. The center directional pad brings up directions if you placed them in before.

Here is a satellite view of Boston.

A little closer.

Maximum resolution of Fenway Park.

What Google Maps Mobile is really designed for is finding things on a map.

Here is a quick search for pizza around Fenway.

 

You get detailed information on the place including an address and phone number to call for reservations.

You can also look up other things like Location, Nearby Businesses, Directions based on GPS location, address,etc.

Under the options button you can even lookup contacts.

So far Google Mobile Maps looks pretty good for free.

To download it to your Windows Mobile device go here and it will sniff your browser and give you proper CAB file to download. For more info on the project head here.

2/2/2007 11:28:17 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [2]  |  Trackback

 

DEMO 2007#
Post By Steve "fyiguy" Hughes

DEMO is a paid to present conference for 68 companies in 6 minutes present their new companies, products and technologies. The presenters are picked by hand picked by Chris Shipley and a board of experts and they do a pretty good job of bringing all this technology in nice simple to understand forum. All the presentation are available online for viewing and are pretty impressive. I really like Apollo from Adobe , BlingSoftware, TeleFlip and Zink.

As with CES most of the products are now geared toward the Web and Mobility. If you have the time it is definitely worth checking out.

An alternative "free conference" is in the works by Mike Arrington of TechCrunch and Jason Calcanis here are the details so far a few other members of the board are showing up like Robert Scoble:

1. It will be in the San Francisco area.
2. We will have around 250 people at the event.
3. 20 companies will present over two days.
4. The event will take place in the fall.
5. We are looking for a location that can fit 250-500 people. We arehoping we can find a a University that would host the event, or an affordable conference center. Any ideas please let me know.
6. We hope to put together an advisory board of people we really respect to suggest companies.

I would love to see more Unconferences like this spring up in multiple locations like Boston, NewYork, Chicago,Austin,etc, but no so many that it dilutes the content. More like an East and West like VON does.

2/1/2007 12:12:58 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

Windows Live Messenger Web Client Beta#
Post By Don Sorcinelli

Thanks to some digging by Steve Hughes, there is a new Windows Live "toy" for IE Mobile users to enjoy. Windows Live Mobile Web Client allows you to use Windows Live Messenger for IM without the installation of a client. While this functionality has been around for the desktop for some time, it is exciting to see it come to the mobile world!

According to the Live Ideas Beta page, Windows Live Mobile Web Client offers a lot of features.

To access the service, simply point IE mobile to the following address:

http://mobile.live.com/wlm

That's it! You'll be IM'ing with your browser in no time!

1/24/2007 1:17:11 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

Spb Softwarehouse Launches Spb Club#
Post By Don Sorcinelli

Imagine yourself as the owner of a shiny new Windows Mobile device. You've heard that there are lots of ways to customize and enhance your phone, but you're not sure how. Thanks to the folks at Spb Softwarehouse, there is a new and great place to start - Spb Club

Signing up is free and easy, and provides access to:

  • 50+ free Pocket PC ringtones and SMS-tone (specially created for Pocket PC)
  • 40+ free Pocket PC themes (all themes support all resolutions + good usability of all themes)
  • 50+ free skins for different Pocket PC programs (Windows Media Player, Dialer, Calculator and Spb programs)
  • 200+ free tips & tricks about using Pocket PC
  • Information about Pocket PC accessories
  • Spb Pocket PC programs and games

So don't delay!

1/18/2007 12:30:27 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) #    Comments [0]  |  Trackback

 

All content © 2008, Don Sorcinelli
On this page
This site
Microsoft MVP Program
Club Pocket PC - Boston

Next Meeting: May 21st, 2008

Read this post for all the details!

Support Our Sponsors!
Calendar
<May 2008>
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
27282930123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
1234567
Archives
Sitemap
Blogroll OPML
Disclaimer

Powered by: newtelligence dasBlog 1.0.0.0

The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.

Send mail to the author(s) E-mail