BostonPocketPC

WebIS just announced a couple a weeks ago their partnership with Ilium Software. With their partnership they also announced the new version of eWallet 6.0. many of use have so much information to keep up with to access e-mail accounts, web site, bank accounts, you name it. eWallet will give you a secure, organized and synchronized way of managing your information.

The following list will give a quick overview of their major improvements followed by a short review

• iPhone/Web version currently in beta.
• Sync your info where you want - to any PC, Windows Mobile or Palm OS device, USB thumb drive, a laptop, even your server at work - there is no limit
• Stronger security - AES FIPS and 256-bit encryption
• Encrypted file attachments
• Sync securely to remote locations using SFTP and other remote syncing options
• Access your data from remote computers using Iomega iStorage
• Prevent intrusion by locking your wallet after a certain number of failed login attempts
• Make online purchases safely! With eWallet's SmartCopy your credit cards and personal info won't be left in the clipboard for keyloggers to find
• Fill in passwords online without typing using AutoPass - protect yourself from keyboard logging in an easy and secure way
• Personalize your cards with background images
• Customize the card design with options for displaying icons on the card, square or round corners, card borders, and more!
• Use eWallet on your U3 USB Smartdrives
• Get Step-by-Step Instructions for basic tasks with the eWallet Companion
• Four free icon packs

Both the desktop version and the Windows Mobile version have exactly the same feeling and handling. You are able to purchase either version or together.  I love the fact that if you have both versions they synchronize with each other and you personal data is easy accessible.

Opening up the application on your device or PC will bring instantly to the password protection. This is optional but is great and works as quick as your pin does.

You are able to make categories to have an easy navigation in finding the information you need. If you have many different items stored on your device the application also also a "Find" function.

It's easy to create new categories and change the look and feel of them.  

The items within the categories has the same functionality as the categories, but more different icons are available.  

The detailed information is visible in two different ways

• As Credit card image with notes
• Flex view which is just line items.

The background colors can in both views can be adjusted to familiar color of your credit card, social security card, etc. The new version allows you to give more nicer radiant color option that are transferred onto your device. But these color can also be selected on your device when creating a new card.

There are over 30 templates to choose from which makes it easy to get the right information together. Ones chosen a template you can rename any fields to make it custom for you.

By default you can have pin/passwords hidden, but by tapping the link of your pin/password  your info will appear.

Both version will also have a back up version and an export to text  option to make sure that all the information can be used again if the application ever fails. In previous uses of eWallet I entered all my information and lost due to....who knows... and I was hesitant re-entering all this information again.

The desktop version has also an import wizard which lets you import information form other competitve software like:

• CodeWallet
• Spb Wallet
• SplashID
• TurbuPasswords
• and ofcourse FlexWallet

However it misses the option to re-import your exported text file.

below is a picture of the eWallet 6.0 desktop version.

Besides these options there are many options I probably haven't played with yet.

Availability

Trail downloads of eWallet 6.0 are available for a touch and non-touch screen and can be purchased for $29.95 ($16.95 for an upgrade if you have a previous version) at Ilium Software

Conclusion

With both the PC and device version you have an automatic back-up (besides their own back-up feature) of your valuable info. Ones entered in all the information (could be alot of work) you will have your information secure, categorized and easy available when you need to.

Ilium Software also announced three free copies of eWallet 6.0 to be raffled off at our next user group meeting.

Introduction
The recent success of the Apple iPhone in the consumer market has created an interest in many Windows Mobile users to find ways to leverage the touch-screen interface of Windows Mobile Classic and Professional devices to gain a "finger-friendly" approach to interaction. HTC has introduced the "Touch FLO" approach with the HTC Cube and a specialized Today Screen, and other software vendors and developers have been experimenting with redesigned user interfaces. One such vendor moving to the forefront of this new user experience is VITO Technology. VITO has put together 3 specific applications in an attempt to "iPhone-ize" the Windows Mobile experience in FunContact, GoodWin and ZoomBoard.

In my first of 3 VITO product reviews, I found FunContact to be both fun and productive. I then reviewed GoodWin, which added both style and substance to navigating my applications and program launching. This left me with the task of ZoomBoard, which (according to the iWindowsMobile.com web site) "is a high-tech onscreen keyboard for quick and accurate finger typing on Windows Mobile Pocket PC". Would this be the case?

Installation
ZoomBoard uses a desktop installer for device installation. I did not encounter any problems during the install, but it is important to note that in order to ensure proper installation, a soft reset should take place after the install completes. This is due to ZoomBoard being added as an input method to the system.

Usage
Once installed, ZoomBoard is accessed and made active by tapping on the input icon on any screen requiring input (the input icon being the icon that looks like a keyboard at the bottom-center of teh screen between the two soft keys.



When selected, the first thing I noticed was that ZoomBoard did not appear much different than other keyboards.



While the buttons were slightly larger, there was not a significant difference in size. As I mentioned in my previous 2 VITO Technology reviews, I have (written in a modest tone) slightly larger than average fingers.

My previous attempts to use a keyboard on-screen that allowed for finger touch were only successful if the keyboard occupied the entire screen (or close to it). Of course, that meant there was no ability to see the underlying application that I was working with. For me, this simply was not acceptable. If ZoomBoard did not take this approach and left the keys at a smaller size, how could I possibly work for me? The answer was found quickly.

ZoomBoard allows you to touch and press the keyboard, moving your finger until finding the correct letter. While moving, the "zoom" kicks in. This is view, similar to a magnifying glass, that appears just above the keyboard on the screen.



As you move your finger, the magnifying glass updates.



What does all this mean? Well, the challenge with using your finger on small surfaces is seeing where you are actually pressing; your finger is blocking the view. By using the "magnifying glass" approach, ZoomBoard allowed me to see what I was actually doing. Before I tried using ZoomBoard, I wasn't sure what the benefit of the application would be. The first time I navigated using my finger and the magnifying glass showed me my progress, I "got it".

ZoomBoard, like GoodWin and FunContact, takes some getting used to. Because of the straight-forward nature of this application, however, ZoomBoard is more about getting comfortable with a very different way of doing a very common task. I liken it to purchasing a new desktop keyboard with a slightly different layout. While it is still functionally the same, it takes a while for your mind to adjust.

From a functional standpoint, ZoomBoard delivered as advertised. I found the animations to be smooth and accurate, and overall performance to be very good. From a reviewer's standpoint, ZoomBoard was a rather rare type of application to review. It is focused on something very specific, thus focusing my review time. As a result, I found myself saying "is that all" fairly quickly. For ZoomBoard, that is a good thing; it does what it is supposed to do well.

Pros and Cons
Pros
- Allows keyboard input using fingers without a full-screen keyboard;
- Nice graphics and animation serve a purpose as well as providing style;
- Accurate reporting of finger location for accurate typing.
Cons
- None to report.

Availability
You can find out more about ZoomBoard and download a trial version at iWindowsMobile.com.

Conclusion
ZoomBoard does what it is advertised to do, plain and simple. It provides a finger-friendly input method that does not require a full screen keyboard, yet still provides a means of inputting text with accuracy. If you are looking for a way to use your finger to input text without sacrificing screen real estate, ZoomBoard is a first-rate option.

Introduction
The recent success of the Apple iPhone in the consumer market has created an interest in many Windows Mobile users to find ways to leverage the touch-screen interface of Windows Mobile Classic and Professional devices to gain a "finger-friendly" approach to interaction. HTC has introduced the "Touch FLO" approach with the HTC Cube and a specialized Today Screen, and other software vendors and developers have been experimenting with redesigned user interfaces. One such vendor moving to the forefront of this new user experience is VITO Technology. VITO has put together 3 specific applications in an attempt to "iPhone-ize" the Windows Mobile experience in FunContact, GoodWin and ZoomBoard.

In my first of 3 VITO product reviews, I found myself very impressed with VITO FunContact, which provides a "finger-firendly" interface to Outlook Mobile contact information. My next step was to try out GoodWin, a product that serves as a program launcher (and a bit more) using the same touch approach.

Highlights
- Easy access to applications, settings and common functions;
- Large, readable text;
- "Wow-factor" screen animations.

Installation
Installation of GoodWin is very straight forward, with a desktop executable that installs the application in seconds. I encountered no issues.

Usage
Once installed, GoodWin is started from a standard application icon. When initially started, GoodWin presents a sort of "home screen" with current date and time, as well as indicators for battery, profile/volume and carrier. VITO once again has excelled in making these icons large and legible for the average user. In a nice bit of functionality, GoodWin also provides a "screen lock" function to avoid inadvertent screen touches while the device is in a pocket or holster.

As the imagery on the screen suggests, simply use a finger to touch and drag the lock icon and unlock the screen.

Once the GoodWin screen is unlocked, the main functionality of GoodWin is exposed.

GoodWin breaks down application launching into several main areas:

• The very top of the screen provides access to general phone information. You can press the power icon to see detailed battery information. Pressing the second icon allows you to change between ring, vibrate or silent settings. Pressing the signal strength icon will provide signal and carrier details. While all of these icons try to be finger-friendly, I must admit last "digitally-challenged" (read "large-fingered") people like myself had a bit of a problem here.
• The first set of buttons at the top of the screen provide access to commonly-used functions. You have access to SMS, mail and the phone. Unread messages counts are displayed if available. The clock icon will bring you back to the time and lock screen. All of these buttons were easily accessible to a finger touch and behaved as expected.
• The "Favorites and Running" section of the screen displays what it advertises; currently running applications and applications selected as "Favorites". For each of these applications, a simple press with your finger will switch to or launch the application. What is not obviously apparent, however, is that pressing and holding on an icon here (or in the general "Programs" section) will bring up a large and finger-friendly context menu. The menu options are sensitive to the application, and provide such options as "Run", "Close" or "Remove from Favorites". I found this menu to be highly useful when managing applications in memory.
• The "Programs" section provides access to applications installed on the device.Here is an area in which GoodWin shines, especially for people with a large number of applications. Each application icon is clearly displayed with a large and easily touched icon. Pressing and holding an icon brings up the context menu, allowing you to run, add the icon to favorites, close or even uninstall an application (if you had installed it versus a default device application). If you have a large number of applications, scrolling on the screen is performed by using a sweeping motion using your finger across the screen.
  
   
  
  The scrolling animation was smooth on my device. As I mentioned in my review of FunContact, a small learning curve exists to make certain that you do not press on an icon (as thus launch an application). Within a matter of seconds, however, I was effortlessly scrolling up and down on the screen.
  
  One limitation of GoodWin (in my opinion) relates to how it builds the list of applications for the "Programs" section. I am someone who commonly uses a file explorer application to create folders under the \Windows\Start Menu\Programs folder on the device. I then move icons from the Programs folder into these subfolders, thus making for less clutter in the Programs folder. Unfortunately, GoodWin does not leverage this organization, instead searching all the subfolders for applications and simply adding them to the "Programs" section. I would like to see some option in the future that would allow a user to honor this organizational method and allow for less scrolling.
• The "Settings" section of the screen provides access to the Settings applications for the device, again allowing for easy finger taps to launch.
  
   
  
• A menu button is located at the bottom of the screen, providing access to help information and a way of closing the GoodWin application.
  
   
  
  From a usability standpoint, this was a minor annoyance when wanting to shut down GoodWin, as I had to scroll quite a ways to get to the button at a time where I simply wanted to close the application. However, the cool scrolling animation generally offset the extra work

Overall, the application performance was very good, and navigation to icons was fast and efficient. If I was not someone who used subfolders for application organization, I am certain the GoodWin would be a far faster way of launching my applications than the standard forms of navigation.

Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highly usable finger-friendly application launcher;
- Context menu provides faster access to certain tasks (application uninstall, for example) than standard methods;
- Nice animations and graphics.
Cons
- Program section does not honor use of folder organization of applications if it is used on the device;
- Closing the application can require significant scrolling to access the close function on the menu.

Availability
You can find out more about GoodWin and download a trial version at iWindowsMobile.com.

Conclusion
GoodWin does a really solid job of providing a finger-friendly interface for application launching and management. If you are looking for faster access to all of your applications and a sexy and "iPhone-like" interface complete with scrolling navigation, then GoodWin is a very solid option for your Windows Mobile device.

Windows Mobile has always had a tough time playing in the "regular size" handset market.  Small phones are all the rage but what about when you want to do more than just have a voice conversation or send a quick SMS?  Sure you could buy sleek RAZR for voice and use a blackberry for your other electronic communications but after a while that utility belt becomes heavy and unsightly.  The other problem with smaller devices is while they're small enough to fit in your shirt pocket it's hard to type out a nice and detailed e-mail using just then numberpad.  So then you get a device with a QWERTY keyboard but trying to dial a number becomes a challenge without voice dialing aids.    

Pantech Duo is aimed at addressing many of these shortcomings.  Weighing in at 3.88 ounces the device measures 4.02 x 1.97 x 0.83 inches.  To put this size into perspective the Motorola RAZR V3 measures in at 3.86 x 2.08 x 0.54 inches.  Other notable specs are 10 Day standby time, 3 hour talk time, Bluetooth with A2DP, Quad Band world phone, Dual-band domestic UMTS/HDSPA, 128 MB of flash ROM with 64 MB SDRam and a fast 416 MHZ Marvel Bulverde processor.  The thing I don't understand is the inclusion of only a 1.3 megapixel camera.  Many devices are already at 2 megapixel with higher resolutions coming soon.  The device also has a 2.2" QVGA screen with LED backlight.  The LED backlight is impressive as it draws very little power and will last longer than the flash ROM in the device. 

Running Windows Mobile 6 Standard the Duo is not just an ordinary "slider cellphone".  Coupled with Exchange Active Sync this device can replace that blackberry and cellphone very easily while providing more functionality than having two individual devices.  Features such as SMS, MMS, Push E-mail, PDF viewer and the ability to edit Office documents help to distinguish the Duo from other "slider cellphones".

The face of the device has a clean layout and access to frequently used buttons have really  been thought out.  On the main face of the device you have power, home, back, talk, end and two softkeys along with a 4-way navigation pad with selection button in the middle.

On the left side of the device you have access to volume buttons and on the right side you have access to the camera and recorder buttons.  The buttons are small and make it difficult for those with larger hands to access them.

A big rub for me with the Duo is it's power connector.  A majority of  my devices utilize a mini-usb connector which is great as it allows the use of existing chargers and accessories.  Plus it decreases the number of cables that you need to carry because many devices (mp3 players, digital camera's, etc) use the same mini-usb connector.  To use a wired headset you need to also use an adapter that plugs into the bottom connector.  Honestly that's just too many things to carry and I wouldn't dream of using a wired headset with this device for this very reason. 

The one feature that sets this device apart from others is the dual sliding keyboards.  The Dual Sliding mechanism allows for a small device footprint when closed and still allows great functionality with either keyboard.  Slide the device up and you are greeted by a nice functional numeric keypad.  The numerical keypad provides great tactile feedback and navigation.  The button sizes are just right even for a person with wide thumbs such as myself.  Another nice numerical keypad feature is a spring assisted slider.  As you open or close the numerical keypad a spring assists in opening and closing the keyboard.  This makes one handed access and operation of the numerical keypad a snap.

The QWERTY keyboard unfortunately doesn't receive the same accolades.  Sliding the screen to the left (or up if you change the orientation) and you now have access to the QWERTY keyboard.  To keep the device size small a condensed QWERTY keyboard is used.  It comprises of all the letters of the alphabet with punctuation and number keys being accessed via a secondary function key.  Punctuation placement is straightforward and easy to navigate once you familiarize yourself with the associated function keys.  Coming from the larger QWERTY keyboard on my Sprint PPC 6800 the transition to was slightly difficult until I became acclimated to the device.  One thing that I miss on the condensed keyboard was directional keys.  It's amazing how many time you use directional keys move information around, especially on a smartphone device since there's no screen to quickly tap on.  Unlike the numeric keypad the QWERTY keyboard doesn't have a spring to assist in the opening and closing of the slider but the sliding travel when on the QWERTY keyboard is very short so it's easy to open without much fuss.  Still it would've been nice to have the same "slider" feel throughout the device.  When I moved from the Sprint PPC 6700 which didn't have a spring assisted slider to the Sprint PPC 6800 which did, I could tell the difference immediately.  The biggest problem I had with the QWERTY keyboard was lack of tactile feel.  The keyboard is completely flush with the bezel and boxes that make up the whole keyboard face.  If you're a person with small fingers or fingernails then you're able to access the keyboard without much issue but if you are a person with large fingers and no fingernails then typing out messages will be somewhat disappointing and slow.

Out of the box the device is preloaded with trial software like MobiTV and My Space Mobile.  You also have an AT&T branded IM program, AT&T Mail, AT&T Music and Cingular Video.  I tried out a few of my usual programs like Sling Player Mobile, Windows Live Search, and One Note Mobile which all worked great and felt snappy thanks to the fast processor in the Duo.  Sling player worked well over the fast 3G services and the best part about 3G on the AT&T network is that you can use both data and voice communications simultaneously.  This is extremely helpful when you need an e-mail and you need to be on the phone at the same time.  There were a few times that I forgot about this only to be startled when the device alerted me to new mail messages while I was on the phone. 

Bluetooth worked very well on the duo and because the device is A2DP compatible I was able to use my blue spider stereo bluetooth headphones with the duo.  Listening to music and watching shows via sling media was very enjoyable and allowed for a nice complete "wireless" experience. 

The Duo's Battery life is very impressive.  In my line of work I am sometimes in high density cellular areas and other times trying to cling on to that last bar but that didn't seem to affect battery life one bit.  There were times when I would forget to charge the device only to find the battery level still high the next morning.  Most of my use on this device was data but I use data like others use voice plus add the fact that continuous device data access keeps the backlight on much longer than a phone call would.  This shows the tremendous gains the LED backlight gives this unit.  One thing that I did notice and this is true with many smaller cellular devices is that prolonged voice communications will leave the back of the device fairly warm.  I haven't used a device this size in some time so I had forgotten about this until I started using the device for a few lengthily voice conversations.  A bluetooth headset will decrease the noticeable heat as the device will be tucked away in a pocket or case.

The Pantech Duo is a really nice device aimed at those who require more functionality while maintaining a sleek appearance.  The device packs many nice features like great battery life, 3G data, dual keyboards and Windows Mobile 6.  The suggested price point will give it's competitors a run for their money.  One of the biggest problems with Windows Mobile Devices was getting the price point to be acceptable to the customer.  AT&T is selling the Pantech Duo for $449.99 but if you go for a 2 year contract the price is $299.00, adding a $100.00 mail-in rebate and the final price is $199.99.  Not bad for a device that packs so much functionality into a small package.  So if you're looking for a device that'll give you great performance while keeping you in the "in crowd" you will want to check out the Pantech Duo.

Stylish,functional and great sound, those are words which don't go together especially when  describing stereo headsets. Most cellphone headsets are included as an afterthought and many are cheap sounding pieces of plastic that are not even suited for listening to phone conversation let alone music. Add to that their usually bulky, cheap construction and poor sound and it's no wonder they only make their appearance when you really need them (like in your car).

Vmoda wishes to change this. They have created a line of "designer" headsets that appeal to your fashion and sound senses. Just a look at the packaging suggests that this headset was made for you to wear and enjoy everywhere.  Plus the array of available colors makes color coordination with you outfit a breeze.

Inside the box you will find the headset and leather carrying pouch. Inside the pouch you'll find different size earmolds for the earbuds in both clear and black rubber. For me the pre-installed black molds were a perfect fit. The earbuds are light weight and feature some pseudo "Bling"  to draw attention to you're new found status of sound and fashion. The headset buds are made to snuggly fit inside the outer ear canal giving you a nice sound space and reducing background noise.

 Along the wire for the left earbud you'll find a sleek microphone with a button. This button allows you to answer calls without touching the phone. Something that's definitely needed as your phone will likely be in your pocket. There's also a shirt clip and a nice Vmoda branded metal cylinder which is used to split the left  and right wires for each earbud.

So with all that out of the way the big question is how do they sound? Well I hooked the Vmoda's up to my Toshiba Gigabeat and pulled up a playlist that I use to evaluate and set sound systems. My first impression was WOW, is this a headset or a nice pair of headphones. The sound was very full, rich and also had one thing that many headsets (and headphones for that matter) lacked and that was low end response. The specified frequency response is 12 Hz to 22 kHz and while I don't really think they are capable of reaching 12 Hz,the bass was full, deep and uncluttered.  You won't need to crank the volume of your MP3 player to max just to have good volume. When paired with the Gigabeat I was able to keep the volume at a reasonably low level while maintaining a good listening level even on a busy subway. Part of this I attributed to the earbuds sensitivity and the other is the earmolds. External noise is kept to a very minimum level even while riding an underground subway during rush hour.

The Vmoda package says it's designed for iPhones and MP3 players but be aware that not all MP3 players are made the same. The Vmoda headset has a four conductor connector and depending on you MP3 player you may need to insert the plus only partially into the headphone  jack. My Gigabeat utilizes a four conductor headphone jack for the output of both audio and video, when I plugged the Vmoda's all the way into the headphone jack I got sound that was indicative of surround sound but not much else. This was due to the missing ground connection from the  MP3 player to the headset. It may be a good idea for Vmoda to include a four conductor to three conductor adapter with these headsets so the user doesn't need to pull the headset jack partially out of the device.

Vmoda has what I feel is a good product but I don't know if many people are ready to shell out $101 for a stereo headset.  Then again there are those who these will definately appeal to and because this headset looks good and sounds good it will have no problems bringing hours of listening pleasure, comfort and style to the end user.  You can purchase the VibeDuo right from  Vmoda's website.

INTRODUCTION:
As some of you out there may already know, I have long been a HUGE fan of ProClip USA's car holder solutions for my Windows Mobile phones and other devices. For those that are unaware of ProClip, this is a wonderful two-part mounting solution. The Proclip Mounting Bracket is a solution tailor-made for your specific year, make and model of vehicle. This bracket then is utilized by Pro Clip's line of device holders, again tailor-specifically to your device.

Over the years, I have managed to accumulate a number of device holders to handle my wide and varied Windows Mobile devices. While the ProClip solution was flexible enough to allow me to change holders with relative ease, the solution did require me to unscrew the currently-used device holder and then screw the newly-needed device holder into place. While not a difficult process, it did require a few minutes of time and limited the ability to change devices "on-the-fly". Now, that has all changed.

One of the newer additions to the ProClip line is the Move Clip solution. By attaching a female connector to your bracket and male connectors to device holders, you can now quickly change devices with a minimum of effort. The solution works for multiple devices for a single vehicle, one device for multiple vehicles (if ProClip Mounting Brackets are installed in more than one car), or (my scenario) multiple devices for multiple vehicles. My wife's use of the i-mate SP5m Smartphone became the perfect testing ground for this total solution.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Mounting brackets are tailor-made to your vehicle and take only minutes to install;
• Setting up the Move Clip solution requires minimal effort;
• Ultimate reliability and flexibility for multiple devices.

THE PROCLIP MOUNTING BRACKET
The ProClip Mounting Bracket is an incredibly customized solution designed to meet the wide variances common amongst vehicles. While there area a number of device mounting solutions, most are very generic and place limitations on where the device can be mounted, as well as the aesthetic results of the installation. To give you an idea of the variances that exist and how ProClip actually leverages them with their solutions, I give to you the example of my two family vehicles.

Vehicle #1 - 2004 Dodge Neon
An ideal placement for this vehicle lies near a small tray area near of the top of the dashboard. ProClip has designed a mounting bracket that leverages this area and provides a solid device support.

I have had this installation for a couple of years now, and absolutely love it for ease of access. My mounting bracket installation literally took less than a minute using ProClip's gap opening tools (more on this shortly). Prior to the ProClip MoveClip solution, attaching the device holder to the bracket took about a minute or two using the two provided screws.

With the new Move Clips (see installation below), I can slide out device holders in seconds!

INSTALLATION:
To demonstrate the installation, I decided to use my wife's vehicle. I knew that this would be a bit more of an installation challenge.

Vehicle #2 - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
My wife's vehicle best lent itself to a bracket installation that was actually in a seam in the console, just to the left of the stereo system. Before installation, I carefully went over the detailed instructions provided in the package.

I have often told people over the years that the folks at ProClip are truly "Masters of the Seams". Their mounting solutions are designed to leverage the seams in vehicles dashboards and are tailored to lock into place whenever possible. To open up a seam for installation, ProClip provides one or more (in this case, two) "gap tools". These are basically plastic awls that allow you to open the seam enough to place the mounting bracket in its proper location.

After opening up the seam, I had the task of Putting the bracket into place. In this installation, I paid careful attention to the instructions. They explained how I would move the upper part of the bracket into place, then apply pressure on the lower part of the bracket while pushing towards the steering console until feeling the channel part of the bracket snap into place. Sure enough, I got it to lock in. It did take a few attempts and an overcoming of some skepticism, but the instructions worked perfectly.

I had previously attached the female Move Clip to the bracket and my wife's SP5m device holder (see below) leaving only to slide things into place. As expected, no problems!

Of course, after removing the gap tools I tested the bracket for a solid connection. Even with moderate pressure, I could not get the bracket to move an inch (which is exactly as it should be).

Overall, I once again found myself very satisfied with the entire ProClip installation experience.

THE PROCLIP HOLDER AND MOVE CLIP

INSTALLATION:
The Move Clip is a two-part installation. The packaging includes the Move Clips, detailed instructions and associated hardware. The hardware includes screws for mounting and a surface cleaning wipe if the attached adhesive is used instead of screws. Personally, I always choose the screws for mounting as I prefer the peace of mind that a more permanent mounting option provides.

The key advantage that the Move Clip solution provides over the standard ProClip vehicle bracket/device holder combination is the to easily replace the device holders without the need to unscrew and re-screw the holders into place. The Move Clip uses a female/male pairing to provide a channel that allows you to slide device holders in and out, all while holding the device holder (and device) firmly in place.

What specifically is shipped depends on what you order with regards to your Move Clip needs. There are a number of options available. One option includes one female Move Clip (mounted to the ProClip bracket) and two male Move Clip (mounted to your device holders), which is perfect for the multi-device/single-car scenario. Another option includes the opposite; two female Move Clips and a single male Move Clip for the single-device/multi-car scenario.

Installation typically only takes a matter of minutes. You will need to provide a small screwdriver; the rest is in the package. The instructions are very detailed and are accompanied with lots of photographs, making installation an easy-to-understand process. I actually performed two installations; one for my existing ProClip bracket in my vehicle, and a new bracket for my wife. I had no problem installing either. I did not have to remove the bracket in my car to add the female Move Clip. For my wife's bracket, I simply added the female Move Clip before installing the bracket.

Adding the male Move Clip is also quite simple, and took less than a minute to get into place.

Just to see how everything would work together, locked in the Move Clips using my wife's mounting bracket before installing it in her car.

ProClip: The Driving Experience
The final and perhaps most importance test of the ProClip system is how it holds up to driving. This tests the firmness of the bracket install and (in the case of the Move Clips) reliability of the bracket-to-device holder connection.

I can speak from a great deal of experience that the ProClip device holders are among the best in the business. Built with the same level of customization as their mounting brackets, ProClip device holders firmly hold their devices in place firmly. Devices slide in and out of channels to make for accessibility while providing that needed grip. Having been a longtime user of a number of ProClip device holders, I can say without a doubt that the driving experience is nothing less than stellar. No device movement and no vibration sounds from either the bracket or the holder. After adding the new Move Clips into the equation, I was eager to see if there were any changes in the experience. I am happy to report nothing has changed here. There are still no issues with movement or sound.

CONCLUSIONS:
If you are looking for a tailor-made device mounting solution for your phone or other device, ProClip should be at the top of your list. If you own more than one device or wish to have a mounting solution for more than one vehicle, ProClip becomes an even more desirable option. Years of experience with ProClip solutions have left me nothing but the highest praise for their quality and reliability.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Prices and availability vary by vehicle, device and solution. Check out ProClip USA for more information.

As I promised, a full week of use of the T-Mobile Dash now affords some observations. If you do not want to read on, here's the short of it -

The T-Mobile Dash may very well be the first device I have used that does not have me longing to use another device.

Coming from someone who currently owns devices across a range of form factors, features and capabilities, this is a pretty big statement. If you read on, however, you may understand why I have become so attached to this device.

Background:
You may have noticed that the title of this post does not use the word "review". There have been any number of these around the Internet for a while. Instead, I decided to approach this post more from an observational perspective, especially due to the fact that my usage patterns for a Windows Mobile are not exactly the norm.

I am a heavy, HEAVY Windows Mobile business user. I rely on the messaging capabilities of my devices, the reliability of phone operations, and the ease of accomplishing business-related tasks in "less than optimal" conditions. For me, the ability to quickly digest and communicate information while on-the-go is a critical factor in device usability.

While Windows Mobile business productivity is essential to me, I do enjoy using my Windows Mobile device for "extracurricular activities" as well. In this category, I look for device and application performance and ease of use as criteria.

The Device Itself
The first thing I should talk about is the T-Mobile Dash in terms of dimensions, form fator and weight. In short, this is a wonderfully "pocketable" device for the functionality it brgins to the table. A very lightweight device that is also extremely thin, I find it very easy to forget that I have it in my shirt pocket! In addition, I can put the Dash into my shirt pocket and still have room for a business card holder and pen (something that was difficult with candybar-style Smartphones and impossible with my Phone Edition devices).

The rubberized molding on the Dash gives me a feeling of confidence when holding the device. No slipping or fumbling around here. It is easy to hold the device in one hand and access all of the keys on the front of the device, including the phone, softkey and thumboard buttons. This has been incredibly important to me when trying to accomplish tasks like reading and writing e-mail with only one free hand.

About the only complaint I have regarding the layout of the device is the location of the volume/JOGGR control and its associated defaault mappings. The control is on the upper-right side of the device. By default, it is mapped for "call reject" on incoming phone calls. Unfortunately, when pulling the device out of your pocket, there is a strong likelihood that this button will be accidentally hit. The mapping is configurable via a registry key, and there is a CAB file available at SurrealNetworks (along with some other useful Dash-related utilities) that makes the registry change simple.

Phone Functionality
Out of the box, the T-Mobile Dash is easy to use as a phone. Clearly-labeled buttons are easily accessible, and the clarity of both the speaker and the mic make for good cellular conversations. One of the first applications I added to the Dash (or any Phone Edition device, for that matter) is Microsoft Voice Command. The Dash comes with Bluetooth, and I am a serious Bluetooth user. Voice Command works well with the Dash, and not just for answering calls. I use it for making outgoing calls as well, speaking the contact's name and number to dial. Using my Jabra BT250v, voice recognition levels are regularly right on the money, even in noiser locations. With the Dash and Voice Command, I rarely have to take my phone out of my pocket when using the phone.

Mail Messaging
Microsoft Voice Command's capabilities have added a new dimension to my use of a Bluetooth headset. My company uses Microsoft Exchange for e-mail and calendaring, and my Dash is configured for Direct Push of information. Voice Command can be set to announce incoming e-mail (either important or all) as it arrives, and either always or just through the Bluetooth headset when it is paired. I tend to be away from my desk quite a bit, and the ability to have Voice Command read the sender's name and message subject has me now wearing my headset most of (if not all of) the business day.

At this point, I should talk a bit about the Dash's display. The screen is quite readible, especially when compared to traditional flip-style and candybar phones. It is large enough to make me forget at least a couple of times during the first few days that this was a Smartphone, and had no touchscreen capabilities. The display is very legible in both indoor and outdoor lighting, and images are crisply displayed.

From a messaging standpoint, it is easy to navigate and triage e-mails using the Dash.  I can easily read the subjects of e-mail without having to bring the device too close to my eyes (something I can't do with even a QVGA Smartphone like my i-mate SP5m).

One initial area of concern was the Dash's thumboard. I tend to view individual's preferences to thumboards to be much like politics and religion. A discussion always results in passionate debate, and no two people seem to feel the same way That being said, I am one who enjoys using a thumboard, but also can be frustrated with implementations. While I have good dexterity, my fingers are not exactly "dainty", which can lead to difficulty in typing (especially in one-handed operations on small keyboards).

I am very happy to report that I have been please with the thumboard of the T-Mobile Dash. While the keys are small, they are distinctly indivudual in their positioning. By this I mean that there is a noticable space between keys. To me, this is extremely important in typing, as the tactile effect this provides helps me immensely to avoid hitting multiple keys simultaneously. The tactile response to clicking keys is also very good, giving me a greater level of confidence while typing.

The ability to use the thumboard with a single hand is a huge plus for me. My other devices with thumboards/keyboards (the i-mate JASJAR and the i-mate K-JAM) both were too heavy and awkwardly balanced to easily use with only one hand. With the Dash, I can easily type with my thumb and not be concerned that the device will fall out of my hand.

I have become quite comfortable and proficient in a short period of time in composing and responding to e-mails on the Dash. I actually enjoy the experience enough to do this even when a desktop computer is within a few seconds reach. In the past, I would often say to myself "I'll be back at my desk in a couple of minutes. It'll be easier then." I really do not have that feeling any more.

Instant Messaging
I also use a lot of Instant Messaging on my device, for both work and personal use. The T-Mobile Dash comes with Pocket MSN installed. As a participant in the Windows Live Messenger for Mobile Beta, I have loaded the latest client onto the Dash (note - once this beta goes final, I will provide a more in-depth review. I must say, however, that it is definitely a big improvement for mobile IM). As in the case with mail messaging, the Dash has made me much more comfortable in IM conversations. As a result, I find that I am using IM on my device much more than I had in the past.

 Other "Mobile Activities"
"All work and no play..." is the old saying. While business comes first, I do use my Windows Mobile devices for other purposes. I use IE Mobile for surfing the web and RSS reading. IE Mobile performs well on my Dash using EDGE data connections on the T-Mobile network. One big plus regarding this; the Dash comes with 128 MB RAM. Even after the OS and other default applications, there is a ton of room left for application installations on the device. More importantly, there is a lot of room for IE Mobile's temporary Internet cache. Users of many Windows Mobile Smartphones have had to resort to frequent clearing of the cache or registry hacks to move the cache to a storage card, due solely to the fact that there was very little available space on the device itself. This is definitely not the case.

If you do wish to use external storage, the Dash takes a microSD card. At first this annoyed me a bit. It seems like we went from SD to miniSD to microSD in, oh, 2 days However, the fact that you can get a 1 GB microSD card (with SD adapter) for anywhere from $10 USD to $25 USD made the pain ease quickly. The microSD slot for the Dash is inside the same casing that houses access to the battery and the SIM card. While this means you will have to open that casing to change cards, I actually like the fact that it is now impossible to accidently lose a card while in a bag or pocket.

Some other activities I have used the Dash for include:

• Sling Player Mobile - Anyone who knows me knows I am as passionate about the Slingbox as I am about any technology. While have heard and read of some issues with the Sling Player Mobile client on the Dash (Sling Media is also aware of this), I have not had these issues myself. I have used the Sling Player Mobile client in both EDGE and WiFi environments and (as always) enjoyed the experience of catching up on news or watchig a sprting event when away from a TV.
• Audible Player - I do listen to audio books quite frequently, and Audible has provided me with all the content I could want for now for over 5 years. The Audible Player works well on the Dash.
• Windows Media Player Mobile - As a Janus DRM-enabled device, I am able to download my content from my Napster and URGE "all-you-can-eat" subscriptions and play them on the device without issues. I do admit, however, that I do not do this as much as others might, mainly do to the fact that I own a Toshiba Gigabeat S that serves more regularly as my "mobile media player".

 Generally speaking, audio quality from the device is as good as my other Windows Mobile devices. One thing that can be an annoyance is the fact that the Dash has followed suit with other recent devices (the Samsung i320 and Blackjack) in using a proprietary headset adapter. This means that you have three options:

1. Use the included headset. Not very good sound quality and a bit uncomfortable for my liking;
2. Purchase a headset adapter. Several places (including MobilePlanet and DayDeal) sell adapters for the Dash, allowing you to plug in your own headset;
3. Use a Bluetooth stereo headset. Yes, the T-Mobile Dash supports the A2DP Bluetooth profile! I have used my Motorola HT-820 headphones to enjoy music with Windows Media Player Mobile without issue. 

WiFi - A Potential Differentiator
One of the unique selling points of the T-Mobile Dash versus competitors for form factor is the fact that the Dash does come with WiFi. How much a person relies on WiFi in their Windows Mobile device can make the difference between choosing a Dash or a Blackjack, for example. In my case, my WiFi use is rather limited. EDGE data access serves me well for e-mail, web browsing and (for the most part) streaming video from my SlingBox. When I have used WiFi, however, it has been both reliable and well-performing on the Dash. The most common use I have had has been to watch TV on SlingPlayer Mobile; the picture has been crisp and with little hesitation.

Battery Life
For most people, battery life is an important consideration. It is a high consideration for me as well, but with a twist. I fall into the category of people who always drop a device into a cradle or plug in a power adapter at the end of the day. While it might be a very long day (trust me on this one), I seldom go more than 24 hours without a charge.

I have found that my "regular use" (Bluetooth always on, 1 - 2 hours of phone calls, Internet access via EDGE) normally leaves me with somewhere between 40 - 50% charge left on the device at the end of the day. As always, the phrase "your mileage may vary" applies. For me, this is more than enough. Nonetheless, I picked up a second battery for the Dash (just in case).

Conclusion
Remember - I am but one person with one voice regarding one device here. I have always believed (and will continue to do so) that there are lots of preferences in the world with lots of choices that can match up. Based upon my preferences, needs and desires, however, I feel comfortable in recommending the T-Mobile Dash to those who are looking for a well-performing, lightweight messaging-oriented device. The combination of form-factor and capabilities make the Dash a real winner in my book.

I will continue to keep everyone up-to-date as I continue to use the device. One thing is for sure - it will be getting a lot of "wear and tear" from me