June 2007

Mobile video apparently coming on strong
After another quarter of impressive subscriber growth, mobile video is rapidly becoming a significant new media distribution platform. According to Telephia, the world's largest provider of syndicated consumer research to the telecom and mobile media markets, mobile video revenues in the U.S. totaled $146 million in Q1 2007, growing 198 percent year-over-year. There were 8.4 million mobile video subscribers last quarter with penetration doubling to nearly four percent since Q1 2006. [read research summary] -- Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2007

What do smartphone users browse?
Smartphones make lousy web browsers, for now, and unlike DoCoMo in Japan, there really still isn't a smartphone "killer app" other than the ability to do email. M:Metric ranks the top mobile web sites visited by smartphone users every month. For April 2007, the top ten were Google (63%!), Yahoo, Microsoft, AT&T, Time Warner, Disney News Corp., Sprint, The Weather Channel, and eBay. Not exactly mind-blowingly exciting. -- Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007

NEO2 educational computer adds functionality
We always liked Alphasmart's large-size Palm-based devices that essentially added a full keyboard to a Palm. Renaissance Learning, Inc's Neo line are not Palms, but instead simple education and learning devices that teach kids. There is a wordprocessor, SmartApplets that can do quizzes, sharing files, tutoring and so on. The new NEO2 looks the same as the original 12.4 x 9.75 x 1.75 Neo with its 5.75 x 1.5" 6-line display, but has twice the memory (4MB instead of 2) and adds new apps in Accelerated Reader and an app wheere students can instantly respond to teacher question. [See NEO2 description] -- Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Motorola announces Good Mobile Messaging 5
Motorola beefed up its position in the mobile office with the announcement of Good Mobile Messaging 5. This announcement follows Motorola’s recent acquisition of Good Technology, Inc., and advances the Good Mobile Messaging software and service to help solve the information clutter problem for mobile users. Good Mobile Messaging 5 helps make mobile email more personalized and productive, all while enhancing IT control. [see release on Good 5] -- Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Nokia Eseries "business devices"
It's becoming increasingly difficult to figure out what's a phone, a smartphone, a PDA, some connected Internet thing, or, as Nokia now calls them, a "business device." As far as form factor goes, the new Nokia E65 follows the layout once pioneered by RIM with its early full-size Blackberrys. It has a QWERTY keyboard, measures 4.6 x 2.8 x .55 inches and weighs 5.3 ounces, big for a phone but not for a Treo/Blackberry/HP competitor. The Quad-band GSM/Edge/WCDMA device has a 2.8-inch 320x240 screen, runs on the S60 platform, has a 2MP camera, 50MB user memory, 802.11b/g, and Bluetooth. Users can thus do email via Nokia Intellisync, Mail for Exchange, Visto Mobile and BlackBerry Connect; use QuickOffice, and call via band or VoIP. The price? Around US$400. [see Nokia e61i] -- Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007

CyberShift workforce management now on BlackBerry
CyberShift, a provider of global workforce management and expense management software and services, announced that their enterprise-class Workforce Management 3G solutions are now integrated with the BlackBerry wireless platform. Used by thousands of organizations around the world, the BlackBerry platform is the de facto standard in wireless communications for mobile workers. [read full CyberShift release] -- Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007

GD-Itronix introduces the GoBook MR-1 ultra-mobile notebook
GD-Itronix has released the GoBook MR-1, a fully rugged Windows ultra-mobile notebook that measures just 6 x 4.5 inches and is about an inch and a half thick. The MR-1 is powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo processor, can accommodate 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 RAM, comes with a shock-mounted and heated 40GB disk (80GB available), and has a brilliant, razor-sharp 1024 x 600 pixel 5.6" SVGA-W with the GD-Itronix DynaVue technology that provides superb outdoor viewability. The MR-1's magnesium chassis and housing is sealed to IP54 standards and can take as much punishment as the company's fully rugged XR-1 notebook. The MR-1 can be ordered with as many as four integrated wireless systems (three radio plus GPS), including 3G high speed services. A clever "slice" expansion system allows for expansion via stackable modules. [Read full review of the GD-Itronix MR-1 ultra-mobile notebook] -- Posted Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Added: Talla-Tech ruggeds: RPDA-57 and Tacter-31M
We've added descriptions and specs of two rugged handhelds from Tallahassee Technologies. The RPDA-57 is a rugged Pocket PC running Windows CE 5.0 on a PXA270 processor. It is extremely flexible with a variety of modular backs. The Tacter-31M is a very compact full Windows machine available with either a 6.4-inch display or a XGA 10.4-inch screen, both sunlight readable. In June of 2007, Tallahassee Technologies received a $18.5 million purchase order from the US Marine Corps for the RPDA-57. [See descriptions and specs for RPDA-57 rugged military Pocket PC and Tacter-M31 rugged Windows handheld computer] -- Posted Monday, June 11, 2007

Feature: What Type of Flatscreen Should I Get?
Even if you're mostly mobile, you want a big easy-on-the-eyes flatscreen to do work in the office and at home. Technology Editor Geoff Walker analyzes the current LCD flatscreen market, explains concepts and advantages and presents his recommendations and choices, including three Editor's Choices. [Read "What Type of Flatscreen Should I get?"] -- Posted Monday, June 11, 2007

Review: MobileDemand xTablet T8600
Offering integrated bar code and mag card readers for field data collection activities makes the MobileDemand xTablet T8600 Tablet PC a superb productivity tool for a variety of vertical market applications. It is also one of the few tablets with an integrated keypad, speeding up data entry. The fully rugged slate has a magnesium housing, extensive shock absorption, can survive multiple 3-foot drops and offers IP54 sealing (see our shower test. A massive battery allows for full-shift operation. Despite all this, the xTablet T8600 is very compact and weighs just 4.6 pounds. [Read full review of MobileDemand xTablet T8600 Tablet PC] -- Posted Wednesday, June 6, 2007

GD-Itronix unveils semi-rugged GoBook VR-2 with DynaVue
General Dynamics Itronix unveiled the GoBook VR-2, a compact semi-rugged notebook using the company' stunning new DynaVue display technology that provides superb outdoor viewability on its 13.3-inch touchscreen display. This is one machine where you have to see outdoor performance to believe it. The VR-2 features excellent industrial design, state-of-the-art processor technology, and multiple wireless technologies including GPS and various 3G wide area wireless network systems. [Read detailed review of the GD-Itronix VR-2 semi-rugged notebook] -- Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2007

GD-Itronix DynaVue Outdoor-Readable Display Technology
General Dynamics Itronix has unveiled a remarkable daylight-readable display technology called "DynaVue." How good is it? Our technology editor Geoff Walker says, "Don't you just hate it when some marketing guy labels something as "ultimate"? Well, I've found something that really should be labeled as "ultimate." It's General Dynamics (GD) Itronix' brand-new DynaVue outdoor-readable touch-screen display technology." [Read technical review of the Itronix DunaVue Outdoor-Readable Touch-Screen Display technology] -- Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2007