BostonPocketPC

Don emailed me and Eric early this week about some cool new tools that Enterprise Mobile has come up with that are free for the public to use. I just got to downloading and playing with these last night and found them to be incredibly useful.

GUI CAB Signing Utility

Learn More | Download

The Enterprise Mobile GUI CAB Signing Utility provides a graphic interface that makes it easier to sign CAB files prior to deployment. Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager requires that all CAB files be signed prior to distribution, but only provides a command line prompt to facilitate the process. The graphical interface in Enterprise Mobile's utility reduces the time needed to accomplish this task. Download this free utility to realize the time savings you can gain with Enterprise Mobile's utility.

Windows Mobile IP Utility

Learn More | Download

The Enterprise Mobile IP Utility will install and run on any Windows Mobile device and provides a comprehensive set of tools to troubleshoot IP data connections. The utility lets you identify connection problems easily, regardless of the version of the Windows Mobile operating system or mobile device. Download this free utility to get real-time visibility into a Windows Mobile device's ability to reach a remote host.

This last utility is really cool and allows you to troubleshot network connections right from your Windows Mobile device like most utilities out there for network troubleshooting this utility allows you to run the following commands: ping, trace route, ping sweep a sequential range of IPs, perform a speed test, and ipconfig.

Note: It works on both Windows Mobile 5 & 6 devices, but you need at least the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 installed.

The folks at John L. Scott Realty have a really cool application for Windows Mobile devices utilizing Silverlight to help showcase houses they are selling. The program also uses Silverlight to provide an interface to Virtual Earth so users can interact with maps and house in their area. Clicking on a house will not only bring up information and picures, but can also display video as well. So while people are driving around or sitting on their couch at home they can peruse the available houses in the area they are looking. Channel 10 has a great video of the application in action.

Lennox Scott, Chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate and Sam Chenaur, Microsoft Platform Strategy Advisor, join me in the studio to talk about Silverlight on the mobile device and it's application in the Real Estate industry.

Sam walks us though a proof of concept (POC) Silverlight mobile app for John L. Scott Real Estate developed by Microsoft partner, Dr. Neil Roodyn, with the assistance of Loke Uei Tan from the Windows Mobile group.

This is a very cool application this combined the Collections search  in Live Search Mobile's Home Thinking:Recent Home Sales and Yakaz:Homes for Sale, you have some powerful and useful tools for house hunting on your mobile device.

For those of you without the Windows Mobile 6.1 update or a Treo and are heavy SMS users (or even if you are a light SMS user) your desire for threaded SMS can be satisfied with VITO Technology's  SMS-Chat . The latest version now supports smiles and other emoticons. :) With SMS-Chat telephone numbers, hyperlinks or e-mails that you receive via SMS are now more usable as you can simply click it and the necessary application with the data will be opened.

SMS-Chat is available for $14.95 at http://iwindowsmobile.com. SMS-Chat supports English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Norwegian, Danish, Portuguese, and Russian. There is also a free 14 day trial demo.

The folks at Astraware are always busy finding ways to distract me from working and it looks like they have done it again with a new title called Bubble Babble which is a brand new type of word game for both the Palm OS and Windows Mobile smartphones and PDAs.

Bubble Babble is like an underwater game show that challenges your word power with an underwater bubble-bursting brain teaser! You have to link together letter bubbles to form words and impress Wordsworth Smartygills - your friendly fishy host! If your are not one to read manuals and want to get up and started quickly, Bubble Babble includes a fun interactive tutorial to teach you how to play with the bubbles and make words from them. Basically you score points for each word you make. If you are witty and impress Wordsworth with more complex or unusual words and he'll reward you with some shiny shells.

Bubble Babble has 4 entertaining modes of gameplay which are perfect for both adults and children, for all levels of skill or vocabulary:

Challenge - create a set number of words against the clock,

Target - reconstruct the separated word from the letter bubbles,

Mystery - try different permutations of letters to find the hidden word,

Freeplay - just enjoy making words to boost your points score.

For some bonus action there is a daily puzzle where Wordsworth Smartygills will tell you the Word of the Day. Make this word during normal gameplay to earn a special award!

You can also utilize multiplier bubbles to enhance your points score, and get help from Stella Starfish, in her wildcard bubble! Unlock higher difficulty levels as you play - it can help you keep your brain sharp and maybe learn some interesting new words!

Bubble Babble is available now for smartphones and PDAs running Palm OS(R) 5 and above, and Windows Mobile Professional, Classic and Standard devices running Windows Mobile 2003 and later. T

Bubble Babble is available now from Astraware priced $19.95, with a limited time new release discount.

The PhatWare Corporation, announced the release of a new version of its PhatNotes notes organizer for Windows Mobile devices and Windows based PCs. The new version features improved compatibility with Microsoft Windows Vista, two new UI themes, Windows taskbar menu, and improved autobackup feature.

"We hope that all PhatNotes users, especially these who requested some of the new features, will be pleased with the new version.

PhatNotes allows users to easily create, search, and sort text-based notes on Windows-based Smartphones, Pocket PCs, and desktop PCs; it also allows synchronizing of notes between multiple platforms, giving users a powerful way to manage and access their personal information on-the-go. PhatNotes was named as Smartphone & Pocket PC Magazine's "Best of Category" honors in the "Utilities-Notes" category for the seven straight years.

A key new feature added to PhatNotes 5.3 is the new Windows taskbar menu which provides a quick access to the PhatNotes application and all opened notes and allows users to hide PhatNotes popup windows when minimized, create new notes, and change other application settings. New Application options allow to toggle PhatNotes taskbar icons and change basic application behavior. The new version of PhatNotes has been updated to support Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and the latest mobile devices powered by Windows Mobile 6.1. In addition, the desktop potion of PhatNotes features two new UI themes and improved autobackup feature which allows creating multiple backup files and is now independent from the manual backup wizard.

"All improvements made in the new version of PhatNotes are based on the feedback that we've received from PhatNotes users" - said Stanislav Miasnikov, president of PhatWare Corp., -- "We hope that all PhatNotes users, especially these who requested some of the new features, will be pleased with the new version."

PhatNotes Pricing and Availability

PhatNotes 5.3 is available now at the list price of $39.95. A free 30-day trial version of PhatNotes 5.2 can be downloaded from the PhatWare web site at http://www.phatware.com/phatnotes. PhatNotes 5.3 is a free upgrade for all registered uses of PhatNotes 5.X. Through the end of June 2008, all registered users of previous versions of PhatNotes can purchase the latest version for a discounted upgrade price of only $19.95.

To learn more about PhatWare, visit www.phatware.com.

Spb Software House has just announced the release Spb Backup 2.0 a well known tool for making reserve copies of personal data and system settings for Windows Mobile phones. Spb Backup 2.0 not only safeguards from data loss, eliminates the pain of reinstalling applications after a hard reset, a ROM or device upgrade, and delivers a flawless restore experience it now makes the whole process easier. The choice of ASUS and Gigabyte, Spb Backup became the best-sold backup utility for Pocket PC in 2007. The new Spb Backup 2.0 is smarter, twice as fast, and makes moving data between Windows Mobile phones as easy as unpacking an archive.

Spb Backup 2.0 will come to the rescue if a hard reset disaster strikes, or if the device is stolen or lost. Spb Backup Sync makes it easy to keep a recent copy of all data and system settings at a secure desktop PC location. Spb Backup 2.0 will restore from the archive, even if data has to be moved to a new device or ROM. The backing up process itself is so easy, that regular backups will become second nature. Spb Backup 2.0 works for both Pocket PCs and Smartphones and copies the entire device, including contacts, sms, emails, storage card files, and even preferences and shortcuts.

Originally, Spb Backup sprung up from Spb Clone technology — a product, trusted by thousands of enterprises for creating exact copies of "master" PDA devices. The new Spb Backup 2.0 offers a handy desktop component — Spb Backup Unpack. The tool allows viewing and exploring the backup archive on a desktop PC and pulling out single contacts, messages, and tasks. During the restore process, Spb Backup will automatically detect if device or ROM upgrade is taking place and prompt to select the appropriate restore mode.

Spb Backup 2.0

• Device and ROM upgrade modes — NEW!
• Spb Backup Sync — NEW!
• Spb Backup Unpack tool — NEW!
• Smartphone version — NEW!
• File Black-list or "Ignored Files" — NEW!
• Copies the entire device: settings, SMS, Emails, tasks, software, shortcuts, preferences
• Storage card backup
• Customizable file restoration
• Scheduled backups
• Self-extracting executable backup files
• Full and custom backups
• Backup file compression and encryption

Pricing and Availability

Spb Backup is compatible with Windows Mobile 2003 and 5.0 for Pocket PC , Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 Professional and Standard devices, as well as Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista on desktop. VGA, Square QVGA, and QVGA screen resolutions are supported. A free, 5-run trial can be downloaded, or Spb Backup 2.0 may be purchased for 24.95 USD, or upgraded from older Spb Backup versions for just 9.95 USD, at www.spbsoftwarehouse.com. According to Spb Software House upgrades policy, all Spb Backup users, who have purchased the product within the last 90 days, are invited to exchange the previous version of software for the newly released one, for free.

Further Information and Downloads

Further information regarding Spb backup can be found at the Spb website:
Spb Backup for Pocket PC web page
Spb Backup for Pocket PC screenshots page
Spb Backup for Pocket PC downloading page

Edit: Note that Spb Backup will also backup encrypted files. We received several emails concerning this issue and Spb responded as follows:

"So far there are no known unfixed issues with device encryption software. As for storage card encryption, Spb Backup handles it without problems.It will store the backup file in unencrypted mode so the backup can be read on any other device. To prevent the security flaw in this case the backup password protection is required."

OK if you are bit clumsy with your device(or maybe a "Friend" is) and don't want to spend the same amount of money you already dished out to purchase a new device, you do have another option - you can get it fixed. The folks at PPC Techs have just announced the release of various new parts and repair services for a number of different units.

Please visit the links provided for more information on these newly supported products:

HTC Parts & Repairs:

HTC Touch:

• HTC Touch Chrome Side Buttons
• HTC Touch 5 Way Navigation Button
• HTC Touch Keypad PCB
• HTC Touch TouchScreen - Sprint

HTC Elf:

• HTC Elf Chrome Side Buttons
• HTC Elf 5 Way Navigation Button
• HTC Elf Keypad PCB

Verizon XV6900:

• Verizon XV6900 TouchScreen - Sprint

HTC P3450:

• HTC P3450 Chrome Side Buttons
• HTC P3450 Way Navigation Button
• HTC P3450 Keypad PCB

HTC Nike:

• HTC Nike LCD Screen
• HTC Nike Bottom Cover & Battery Cover
• HTC Nike Full Housing including TouchScreen
• HTC Nike Full Housing including TouchScreen Replacement Service
• HTC Nike TouchScreen & Top Cover Assy

HTC Touch Dual:

• HTC Touch Dual LCD Screen
• HTC Touch Dual Bottom Cover & Battery Cover
• HTC Touch Dual Full Housing including TouchScreen
• HTC Touch Dual Full Housing including TouchScreen Replacement Service
• HTC Touch Dual TouchScreen & Top Cover Assy

T-Mobile Repairs & Parts:

T-Mobile Shadow Copper

• T-Mobile Shadow Copper Bottom Cover & Battery Cover
• T-Mobile Shadow Full Housing including Lens
• T-Mobile Shadow Full Housing including Lens Replacement Service
• T-Mobile Shadow Copper Main Keyboard Assy
• T-Mobile Shadow Copper Top Cover & Lens

T-Mobile Shadow Sage

• T-Mobile Shadow Sage Bottom Cover & Battery Cover
• T-Mobile Shadow Sage Full Housing including Lens
• T-Mobile Shadow Sage Full Housing including Lens Replacement Service
• T-Mobile Shadow Sage Main Keyboard Assy
• T-Mobile Shadow Sage Top Cover & Lens

T-Mobile Wing

• T-Mobile Wing Housing
• T-Mobile Wing Housing Replacement Service

For more information head to PPCTechs.com.

For other devices check below:

Click for AT&T Repairs	Click for Sprint Repairs	Click for T-Mobile Repairs	Click for Verizon Repairs

Special Offer

The folks at PPCTechs are giving all members of BostonPocketPC.com a 10% discount off all services and accessories for the monh of June. Just use the discount code: BOSTON0608 in the special instructions field upon checkout. The discount will be calculated when your order is processed. :)

Time once again for the next meeting of the New England Windows Mobile User and Developer Group. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 18th starting at 6:30 PM at the Microsoft offices in Waltham, MA (201 Jones Road, 6th Floor).

Microsoft - Waltham (Click for more details)

The featured presentation this month will focus on the newly released (and recently reported on) Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile Developer Preview. We will see the developer preview in action and talk about the technologies used, including the Windows SideShow Managed API for .NET developer. We'll also talk where the potential lies in opportunities for developers.

We also plan to give attendees a "heads-up" announcement regarding some upcoming contests at BostonPocketPC.com with some really fantastic prizes! As always, we will have the usual assortment of great items up for grabs in our random drawings, so don't miss out!

HP announced the arrival of a new quadband handheld running Windows Mobile 6.1 at its "Connecting Your World" event in Berlin called the HP iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger, will begin shipping on June 30 aimed at keeping mobile professionals connected in a nice glossy piano black finish.

It comes chock full with WiFi (b/g), Bluetooth 2.0, 3G UMTS/HSDPA, GPS, 3MP camera with AutoFocus,with a QWERTY keyboard and an LED backlit 2.46-inch (320x240),scrolling trackwheel,touch screen combining the best features of a Professional(Pocket PC) and a Standard (Smartphone) into one device. It also comes loaded with a ton of applications ready for the enterprise.

Specifications:

Wireless Integrated Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and Tri Band UMTS/HSDPA 7.2 1,2,3,4, Mbps
Integrated WiFi – 802.11 b/g with WPA2 security
Integrated Bluetooth® v2.0 with EDR
Integrated multi-mode GPS navigation
Operating system Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
Mobile Microsoft programs included: Office Mobile, Office Outlook Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile
Processor Marvell PXA270 Processor, 416 MHz
Display 2.46-inch transmissive TFT 65,000 color 320x240 pixel touch panel display with LED backlight
Memory 128 MB SDRAM 256 MB flash ROM
Dimensions 114 x 64 x 15 mm (4. 5” x 2.5” x 0.6”)
Weight (with battery) 154g (5.4 oz)
Power 1940 mAh Li-polymer rechargeable, user changeable battery
Interfaces USB 2.0 connector for sync/ charge and headset , micro-SD card slot
Audio Integrated microphone, receiver, speaker and mini-USB wired stereo headset
Camera 3 Megapixel, autofocus, 4X digital zoom, codec supports .jpg image file format
Image resolution support: QVGA (320x240), VGA (640x480), 1280x960, SXGA (1280x1024), UXGA (1600x1200),QXGA (2048x1536)
Video resolution: 176x144 (QCIF), 320x240 (QVGA)
Hardware buttons Alphanumeric keyboard, scroll wheel, 5-way navigation, 2 soft keys, volume control, send /end buttons, reset, voice command
Value-addedapplications HP Photosmart Mobile;Bluetooth Manager; HP Help and Support; HP Voice Reply; Cyberon Voice Commander6; HP iPAQ GPS QK Position; HP Enterprise Mobility Agent; HP Keyboard Indicator; HP iPAQ Tips; HP AssetViewer; HP Keyguard; HP Certificate Enroller; HP iPAQ DataConnect; HP Printsmart Mobile; ClearVue PDF; Sun Java; MMS Client/Composer; OMA DRM Client (forward lock); SIM ToolKit; HP iPAQ Audio; Ringtone Manager; HP iPAQ Power; HP iPAQ Keyboard; Factory Recovery
In the box HP iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger, standard battery, mini-USB sync/charge cable, AC adapter, mini-USB wired stereo headset, HP iPAQ Getting Started CD, and documentation kit
Warranty One-year parts and labor in most regions; 90 days technical support for software in most regions. Additional offers may vary by region.

Currently no price has been announced, but we will keep you informed when we know. :)

Edit:

Ted wrote in to tell us that it is listed on the HP website for $499.99 unlocked, so no carrier contracts. Thanks Ted.

Handheld US introduced today the new Algiz 13 rugged convertible notebook computer that has a 13" XGA(1280x800) indoor/outdoor display with a magnesium casing for extra protection, and easily meets IP54 and MIL-STD-810F military standards for accidental drops, dust and water. It also operates in temperatures ranging from -4 to 122 °F.

The Algiz 13 features a powerful 1.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Merom ULV processor and up to 4 GB of DDR II 667 industrial-grade RAM. The Algiz 13 includes a shock-mounted 120 GB (up to 160 GB optional) 2.5-inch hard drive with G-Sensor Protection, and it runs either the Windows XP Tablet PC edition or Windows Vista Business operating system.

Users can choose from a host of communication options when they’re out in the field, given the Algiz 13’s multiple integrated wireless capabilities. It offers up to three simultaneous radios modems, WLAN 802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth and optional WAN/GPRS, and a fully integrated GPS receiver – providing highly reliable connectivity across the range of wireless networks. Designed for expansive radio frequency coverage, it features internal antennas, and the magnesium case provides RF shielding and extensive RF noise filtering.

It looks like a pretty tough and powerful Tablet for the field. I just think they could have come up with a better name.

Specifications:

Size

13.54" (344 mm) x 9.96" ( 253 mm) x 2.28" (58 mm)

Weight
8.38 lb (3.8 kg)

Environment

Operating:

-4 to 122 °F (-20 to 50 °C)

Storage:
-40 to 158 °F (-40 to 70 °C)

Drop:
MIL-STD-810F, 26 drops from 3 ft (0.9 m)

Sand & dust:
IP54

Water:
IP54

Condensation:
5% to 95% RH, non-condensing

Processor/
memory
Intel Core 2 Duo Merom ULV 1.06 GHz CPU; Intel 965GM Integrated Graphics;
512 MB to 4 GB SDRAM

Data storage/disk
Shock-mounted 2.5" drive; 120 GB (up to 160 GB) with G-Sensor Protection and optional 32GB Solid State Disk

Operating system
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista

Screen
13.3" WXGA, (1280x800) TFT with convertible function. Digitizer touchscreen and outdoor sunlight-readable LCD display optional

Keyboard
Waterproof keyboard, SAS key, screen rotation key, virtual keyboard, RF switch, brightness up/down, onscreen QWERTY soft keypad

Battery
Nine-cell (7800 mAh) Li-ion battery runs six hours. Charging time 2.5 hours to 80%

Connections
3 x USB 2.0 A port
1 x RS-232 port;
1 x DC-In
1 x Microphone, 1 x Earphone, 1 x Array Microphone
1 x Sim card (optional)
1 x RJ-11
1 x LAN RJ-45
1 x VGA/D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
1 x Docking connector
1 x PCMCIA supports Type I/II slot
1 x SD card slot

Communication
WLAN: Integrated 802.11a/b/g, Modem 56kps (V.92)
PAN: Integrated Bluetooth EDR 2.1, Class II
WWAN: Optional HSDPA/GPRS/GSM/WCDMA
GPS receiver

Options

• Docking station
• Vehicle mounting with port replicators