Mobile & Wireless UPDATE, October 31, 2002

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October 31, 2002—In this issue:

1. MOBILE & WIRELESS PERSPECTIVES

2. MOBILE & WIRELESS NEWS & VIEWS

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

4. INSTANT POLL

5. RESOURCE

6. NEW AND IMPROVED

7. CONTACT US

1. MOBILE & WIRELESS PERSPECTIVES
(contributed by Steve Milroy, [email protected])

Last week, Microsoft announced the debut of its Windows-based Smartphone technology in UK-based Orange Telecom's SPV device. (For details, see http://www.orange.co.uk/orangespv/ or http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/smartphone/default.asp .) Taiwan's HTC, the company that created the recent Pocket PC Phone Edition devices available in the United States from AT&T Wireless Services and T-Mobile, is manufacturing the SPV device. The device has hit the market before the much anticipated Z100 Windows Smartphone, which Sendo ( http://www.sendo.com ) is developing.

Microsoft has developed the Windows Smartphone OS primarily as a great phone and secondarily as a PDA. Therefore, expect the SPV's phone functionality to be much better than that of Pocket PC Phone Edition. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to play with the SPV and found it to be a cool little device. The Smartphone doesn't have a touchscreen and stylus but accepts simple one-handed use for menus and features.

The Windows Smartphone boasts many of the Pocket PC's PDA features, including Microsoft Outlook functionality (email, calendar, contacts), MSN Messenger (Instant Messaging—IM), Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), and the ability to play audio and video content through Windows Media Player (WMP). The Outlook functionality leverages the Microsoft Mobile Information Server 2002, ActiveSync Edition architecture that Pocket PC uses to synchronize email, calendar, and contacts over the wireless (specifically General Packet Radio Service—GPRS) connection. I do question the usefulness of Windows Messaging from the Smartphone: Multitapping messages in a realtime IM session would be difficult. Also, streaming audio and video content over the current wireless-connection bandwidth would be frustrating.

Both the SPV and Z100 devices are Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) /GPRS-enabled and offer 900MHz/1800MHz models. The devices will therefore work in Europe and Asia but not in North America. The companies will soon include the 1900MHz personal communications services (PCS) frequencies. Expect to see various models of the Windows Smartphone, including Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)/1xRTT-enabled devices, in the United States early next year.

Microsoft also plans to release a version of the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework for use with Windows Smartphones. This version will offer some of the features that the Compact Framework in the next version of Microsoft Visual Studio .NET will offer. However, it will also provide features that take advantage of the Smartphone UI and capabilities.

In the next Mobile & Wireless UPDATE, I'll look at other Smartphones due to hit the market. See you next time.

2. MOBILE & WIRELESS NEWS AND VIEWS
(contributed by Steve Milroy, [email protected])

I just returned from a month in Australia (my honeymoon!), and I'm happy to report that GSM roaming from AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile works well down under. However, I didn't use it extensively. At over $2 (US) per minute to make or receive a call, the service is expensive. If you plan to travel overseas, you might consider buying a GSM phone that's unlocked (and therefore usable with any carrier), then simply buy a prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card when you're in a particular country. The rates are still high, but they're much less than $2 per minute.

I recently read an interesting press release suggesting that Sony Ericsson is considering using the Windows Smartphone OS in its next-generation devices. Until now, Sony Ericsson has been committed to Symbian's EPOC OS, so a move in the Microsoft direction would be fascinating.
http://www.wirelesssoftware.info/show1news.php/647.html

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS
(brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)

Join us on December 19th for our Tips & Tricks Web Summit featuring three eye-opening events: Disaster Recovery Tips & Tricks, Intrusion Detection: Win2K Security Log Secrets, and Merging Exchange Systems: Tips for Managing 5 Key Challenges. There is no charge for this event, but space is limited so register today!
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4. INSTANT POLL

The voting has closed in Windows & .NET Magazine's Mobile & Wireless Solutions nonscientific Instant Poll for the question, "If Microsoft neglects to support older devices in Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003, how likely are you to look elsewhere (e.g., third-party utilities) for SMS-like functionality?" Here are the results (+/-1 percent) from the 8 votes:

The next Instant Poll question is, "How do you secure your PDA?" Go to the Mobile & Wireless Solutions Web site and submit your vote for a) Basic password protection, b), Enhanced password protection and device locking through third-party utility c) Application or data encryption, or d) I don't.
http://www.mobile-and-wireless.com

5. RESOURCE

November 18, 2002
Sao Paulo, Brazil

The focus of the Handset Forum is on the convergence of handsets, mobile phones, PDAs, and laptops. You'll learn from industry experts representing Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Palm, Siemens, Casio, Philips Semiconductors, and others. The agenda will cover the mobile terminals market, screens and other display technologies, Bluetooth, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), Smart Cards, power and battery technologies, and embedded systems.
http://www.ibcbrasil.com/handset/?source=5090thm

For other upcoming events, check out the Windows & .NET Magazine Event Calendar.
http://www.winnetmag.com/events

6. NEW AND IMPROVED
(contributed by Carolyn Mader, [email protected])

Flowfinity Wireless released the Thinflow Application Gateway (TAG) 3.0 to complement its Thinflow client technology. TAG supports end-to-end integration of Microsoft .NET enterprise applications and Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry handheld devices. The software also enhances support for automated device detection and data delivery. For pricing, contact Flowfinity Wireless at 866-787-4927.
http://www.flowfinity.com

ToolPool released Bounza for Pocket PC, a new action game based on the arcade game Breakout. The goal is to clear all 50 levels by hitting the bricks with a ball, which you can push with a stylus-controlled paddle. The game features more than 30 brick types that trigger effects when hit by the ball. Pricing is $11.95.
http://www.toolpool.com

7. CONTACT US
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