Mobility Guys Podcast #4

Check it out folks...we have done it again!

4 Guys chatting about what they enjoy...MOBILITY, our devices, what we like and on occasion, what we don't.

This week, Don gives us a run-down of his mobile gear and his gear bag . We also talk about 3 new Mobile Devices and their impact on the future of mobility. And we round off the show discussing mobile media- the different services and content out there for mobile devices and the differences between stream and stored content of both audio and video content.

We hope you enjoy it!
You can see the show notes here and download the podcast at the Mobility Guys website or click here just to DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

VaJa Cases - Definitely SLICK!

This case for the NEW Palm Treo 700w/p makes me want to get a new device!

This exclusive model presents all the features of the original Vaja T77, such as full access to main functions, speaker mesh protectors, semi-rigid flip cover with magnetic closure and optional SD slot with Push-Push system. This case charges and sycns through Palm travel cable.
Only available at http://www.vajachoice.com

Microsoft - Security and the Other Guys

Stan Beer wrote another neat article: Microsoft brings on Armageddon for security vendors

He talks about a "day of reckoning " for the BIG boys with the release of their own security package. With the release of Windows Live Onecare this month, Microsoft has now become a formidable opponent adversary. OF course, it was only a matter of time but....

In part, this is what Stan had to say:

The day of reckoning has arrived for Symantec, McAfee, Kapersky and the myriad of other would-be anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and assorted anti-malware peddlers. Their one-time benefactor Microsoft, the company that enabled them to build thriving businesses by selling products to protect its less than perfect operating system Windows, has pulled the plug by releasing its own security package.

You can read Stan's article here

PlanMaker 2006 for Windows - beta

SoftMaker has announced the release of the public beta of PlanMaker 2006 for Windows.

This new version of our spreadsheet package for Windows offers valuable improvements over PlanMaker 2004, such as:

- Unicode support

- Menus and dialogs are available in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese.

- Create worksheets with checkboxes, input fields, radio buttons, selection lists etc. -- fully compatible with Microsoft Excel 2003

- Input validation

- Headers and footers are not split into three separate regions

- Microsoft Excel filters improved again

... and quite a bit more!

You can download the free beta from our web site and try it for yourself.

We are also preparing beta versions of PlanMaker 2006 for Linux and Pocket PCs and will announce them when they are available.

Find out more about PlanMaker 2006: http://www.softmaker.com/english/pmw06_en.htm

AMD LIVE!

Entertainment Suite Enables Consumers to Stream Live TV

AMD Cranks Up the Volume on Digital Entertainment With the AMD LIVE! PC

AMD announced today the next milestone in digital entertainment with the AMD LIVE! PC -- a full-featured, easy-to-use media center PC, designed to enable consumers to organize, distribute, share, and enjoy their content collection throughout the home and on the go. Leading OEMs including Acer, Alienware, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Gateway, HP, Sahara, and Tsinghua Tongfang, as well as system builders in North America, Western Europe, and China, will have AMD LIVE! PCs, powered by the award-winning AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 dual-core processor, starting in June.

The AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite, a collection of services and applications designed to enhance the PC experience, is also available today at http://www.amdlive.com.

"The AMD LIVE! PC and AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite represent the culmination of industry-leading companies collaborating around open standards to deliver compelling entertainment solutions," said Bob Brewer, corporate vice president, Desktop Business, AMD. "With the AMD LIVE! PC, AMD begins delivering on its vision for merging broadcast TV content with interactive, personalized broadband applications and services, all without disrupting the devices already accepted and used by consumers in their homes today."

The AMD LIVE! PC is designed to help consumers get more enjoyment out of their digital media by consolidating their content in a central location and delivering the tools to help them easily and seamlessly access that content through the devices they already have.

"Today customers are looking for PCs that will allow them to view, interact and play new content from broadcast television to music to games," said Tom Anderson, vice president of marketing, global consumer PCs, Personal Systems Group, HP. "By offering AMD LIVE!-branded PCs, our customers will have the ability to buy a PC that will meet their evolving entertainment needs."

"We've seen remarkable enthusiasm for Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs, which enable consumers to enjoy their photos, music, TV shows and movies throughout the home," said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president, Windows Client Marketing at Microsoft. "By collaborating with AMD to deliver a powerful combination of digital entertainment software on a strong media platform, Microsoft is helping to provide consumers with rich, engaging experiences."

The first solutions to be offered in the AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite include AMD LIVE! On Demand powered by Orb Networks: a service that streams live or pre-recorded television programs, photos, music and movies to many common Web-connected devices; AMD LIVE! Compress: a tool that optimizes recorded television content in order to save space and time, enabling customers to save up to 10 times as many TV shows on their PC; AMD LIVE! Network Magic: an easy-to-use service that allows users to set up, manage and secure their home network; AMD LIVE! LogMeIn: a service providing users the ability to remotely control their AMD LIVE! PC to obtain access to content, files and programs from anywhere; and AMD LIVE! Media Vault(TM): a service that can automatically back up users' digital content collection to a secure online server. Once registered and activated, AMD LIVE! PC users will receive 25GB of free storage to safely store their personal photos, home movies and music collections.

Many of these applications and services are available for free download beginning today from AMD at http://www.amdlive.com. Over time, the website will evolve into a repository of tips and tools to help consumers build out their entertainment world. With home networks, and using technology such as Microsoft Media Center Extender, the site will be available both in a "two-foot" Internet in the study and "10-foot" television experience in the living room.

"Our vision for AMD LIVE! is to apply the power and flexibility of AMD64 processors in ways that help consumers to get a richer entertainment experience when and where they want, using their favorite entertainment components and devices," said Joe Menard, corporate vice president, Consumer Business Segment, AMD. "Moving forward, our mission is to put in place the additional technology and expand the ecosystem to make these new experiences even more simple and enjoyable."

AMD recently announced their agreement with STMicroelectronics to develop world-class, high-definition networked set-top box solutions for consumers to connect to a desktop or notebook PC, transforming the TV experience from traditional and "linear" to a new, interactive experience. AMD and STMicroelectronics will demonstrate this solution from June 6-9 at Computex in Taipei, Taiwan.

AMD LIVE! PCs will improve consumers' connectivity by enabling their PC to stream music through their entertainment center, view and share photos on the TV, burn recorded TV shows, videos, music and pictures to a DVD or CD, or transfer this same content to a notebook, MP3, portable media player (PMP) or personal digital assistant (PDA). Consumers will be able to build their entertainment world at their pace with AMD LIVE! PCs designed for flexibility, built for longevity and engineered for the future.

About the AMD LIVE! Brand

Created in 2004, the AMD LIVE! brand has promoted top film, broadcast, and music professional artists using AMD64 technology. AMD LIVE! is rooted in the adoption of AMD64 technology by the professional creative community, lifting technology barriers that once stunted artistic expression. AMD has worked with this community to evolve the renaissance of digital content creation providing powerful AMD64 technology to everyone from top professionals to the budding artist creating rich, immersive content at the speed of inspiration. The AMD LIVE! brand is now extended from its roots in professional content creation to also represent best-of-breed solutions to enhance the management, access, and enjoyment of content. AMD LIVE! notebook PCs, powered by AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology, are expected to be available in the second half of 2006.

About AMD

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative microprocessor solutions for computing, communications and consumer electronics markets. Founded in 1969, AMD is dedicated to delivering superior computing solutions based on customer needs that empower users worldwide. For more information visit http://www.amd.com.

(C) 2006 Advanced Micro Devices Inc. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Turion, AMD Athlon, AMD LIVE! and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

AMD LIVE! Partner Support Addendum

AMD is working with industry-leading companies to deliver differentiated technology and solutions to consumers for the AMD LIVE! PC and AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite including Alienware, Creative, D-Link, Logitech, LogMeIn Inc., Network Magic, Market Engines, Orb Networks, Sahara, Shuttle, Streamload, Tsinghua Tongfang, and ZT Group Int'l.

"Alienware systems branded with AMD LIVE! work with and enhance the technology devices consumers already own, ensuring an exhilarating entertainment experience whether at home or on the road," said Mark Vena, vice president of Marketing at Alienware. "Alienware shares AMD's commitment to open standards and promoting new entertainment experiences with AMD LIVE!, enabling consumers to achieve a higher level of system and content personalization for their digital lifestyle."

"The award-winning Creative Zen Vision:M portable MP3 player, video player and photo viewer provides a compelling portable solution to harness the power that an AMD LIVE! PC and the AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite bring to digital entertainment in the home," said Brad Anderson, director of product marketing at Creative. "By offering tools like AMD LIVE! Compress and supporting open file formats on AMD LIVE! PCs, users can fill their 30GB Zen Vision:M with the highest quality music, movies and photos in a wide variety of popular formats."

"When we introduced our MediaLounge(TM) wireless media player, it was one of the industry's first such products to literally change the way people enjoyed digital home entertainment," said Daniel Kelley, director of marketing at D-Link Systems Inc. "We are excited to see our technology integrated with the AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite. Now more consumers can experience first hand the benefits of streaming live or prerecorded TV programs and movies, accessing digital photos and music from anywhere on the home network, and other exciting options available through the combination of AMD LIVE! and the award-winning MediaLounge family of products."

"AMD LIVE! is positioned to turn the vision of the PC as an entertainment and communications hub for the living room into a broad consumer reality," said Fred Swan, director of Strategic Development for the Logitech Entertainment and Communications Business Unit. "Logitech provides personal peripherals that people love to use while they work, play, and communicate. We believe that AMD LIVE! is an ideal platform for Logitech's award-winning products and the new platform will bring both companies to new levels of innovation."

"Part of LogMeIn's mission is to give people a seamless anywhere, anytime link to their computer files and programs and AMD LIVE! enables customers to access the rich-media content that is part of their digital lifestyle," said Michael Simon, CEO of LogMeIn Inc. "By working with AMD on the AMD LIVE! vision, together we can extend the availability -- and therefore the value of everyone's digital experiences."

"Network Magic is the leading provider of consumer home networking solutions for the digital home," said Sherman Griffin, vice president of marketing, Network Magic. "By delivering Network Magic as part of the AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite, consumers have an easy-to-use service that sets up, manages, and secures their home network, and allows them to easily share content amongst all of the PCs and devices in their digital home."

"PowerCompress is proud to work with AMD to deliver AMD LIVE! Compress and help contribute to their vision in providing customers with an integrated suite of hardware and software technologies that offer comprehensive, easy-to-use media solutions for consumers," Daniel Assouline, CEO, Market Engines. "We believe AMD LIVE! provides an ideal way for customers to enjoy their media and realize the potential of Windows Media Center as a real '10-foot' extended PC entertainment solution. With the help of PowerCompress, consumers can now benefit from greater portability of their media, more capacity to record their TV shows for archival and the ability to use them on a variety of devices inside and outside the home."

"Orb shares AMD's vision to provide consumers with unmatched, personalized digital entertainment experiences through innovative technology," said Jim Behrens, CEO, Orb Networks. "By offering our award-winning software as part of the AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite, we can together provide consumers secure and instant access to their TV, music, videos and more on mobile phones, PDAs, PCs and other devices from anywhere in the world."

"Today's discerning consumers are in search of more capable systems that will allow them to stay connected whenever and wherever," said George Van Der Merwe, chief operating officer, Sahara Computers & Electronics Ltd. "By delivering AMD LIVE! on Sahara-branded PCs, we are able to leverage best-of-breed components and software to build solutions that not only address consumers' current entertainment needs, but also grow with them to meet their ever-changing entertainment needs."

"Shuttle Computers is excited to participate with AMD on the launch of the new AMD LIVE! PC," says Michael Wu, president of Shuttle Computers North America. "At Shuttle, we believe our technologically advanced products are the perfect match to the rich features and benefits that AMD LIVE! has to offer. What better way to experience enhanced digital media through AMD64 technology inside a stylish and compact Shuttle XPC system design that fits any room decor. With this relationship, together our products bring forth the digital freedom that consumers have been waiting for."

"Streamload's award-winning storage technology is helping to provide anytime, anywhere access of users' digital media," said Adrian J. Herrera, director of business development, Streamload. "With the AMD LIVE! Media Vault as part of the AMD LIVE! Entertainment Suite, we are working with AMD to provide a secure and reliable way for AMD LIVE! PC users to back up, share and remotely access their digital photos, music, videos and documents."

"Our cooperation with AMD to deliver AMD LIVE!-branded PCs is intended to satisfy the demands of end users, while offering them more choice," said Zou Yong, general manager assistant, Computer System Business Group, Tsinghua Tongfang Co. Ltd. "As a professional supplier of IT products and solutions, Tsinghua Tongfang is dedicated to working with industry-leading global companies like AMD to provide rich and exciting digital life experiences for consumers."

"Technology is constantly evolving to meet customer needs," said Bob Anderson, vice president, Business Development and Strategy, ZT Group Int'l, makers of the official NASCAR digital experience PC. "It's no surprise then that consumers are in search of digital entertainment solutions that will work with and enhance the technology they already have. Our approach matches nicely with AMD's commitment to open standards with AMD LIVE! that lets consumers ultimately achieve new levels of system and content personalization for their digital lifestyle."


Click read more below to see the full news item

The Falcon Is Circling Overhead - McAfee's New Security Platform

McAfee Unveils Next-Generation Device, Wireless Network Security Platform

New, Easiest to Use Security Platform Features Comprehensive Protection Including Latest Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware and Breakthrough Threat Prevention Technologies.

McAfee, Inc. will soon release the industry's first fully integrated consumer security service platform, code-named "Falcon." McAfee's new security platform will deliver complete protection with McAfee's latest products which encompass next- generation anti-virus, anti-spyware, and breakthrough proactive "threat watch" technologies. In addition, the platform has been completely re-architected to provide a single access point that allows consumers to easily manage their McAfee security products. The service, which has been under stealth development for more than 12 months, will debut this summer, and provide consumers with a choice of comprehensive protection service packages.

"We know from our research and relationship with millions of consumers that PC security is confusing and complex to them," said Marc Solomon, Director of Product Management, McAfee Consumer. "With the launch of 'Falcon' this summer, we have integrated into our award-winning products powerful, yet easy to use protection that addresses both existing and emerging threats. For the consumer, we not only continue to stop the bad guys in their tracks but we will even be able sniff out and stop suspicious activity. 'Falcon' builds upon McAfee's leadership in making great security and protection nearly transparent to the user and takes consumer security to an entirely new level."

With the new McAfee SecurityCenter, the industry's first dashboard which McAfee introduced in 2001, consumers can manage all aspects of their security services under one menu. These activities include viewing their computer's security status; checking for updates against newly discovered viruses, malware and other threats; and fixing potential security issues simply by clicking a button.

The McAfee Security Center, which also informs consumers about the latest security alerts, overlays McAfee's current award-winning technologies that guard against viruses, spyware, hackers and spam with new, innovative technologies to protect users against phishing scams, zero-hour attacks, "slow PC syndrome," and data loss. In addition, the service will raise the bar to deliver enhanced proactive protection, marrying sophisticated research with technological innovation to safeguard consumers against today's most pressing issues including identity theft, hybrid threats, and stealth technologies. For example, McAfee will use SystemGuards — behavior-based technologies — to watch consumers' computers for specific behaviors that may signal virus, spyware, or hacker activity, and McAfee X-Ray for Windows will detect and kill rootkits (a set of tools used to gain access to a computer system) and other malicious applications that hide from Windows and other anti-virus programs.

Moving Beyond the PC to Protect the Network

Today, many consumers set up home networks, including a growing number of wireless networks. With the release of Falcon, McAfee's builds on its wireless home network protection and provides users an easy way to view the security status of other systems on their home network. McAfee products offer users a picture of their network, and give them the ability to view details and remotely fix potential security issues. McAfee's network security cuts through the confusion many consumers face when setting up secured Wi-Fi networks, making it easy to set up and view PCs, printers and other devices to the network.

Understanding computer security is complex and confusing to users, Falcon offers both a basic view for consumers who want a high-level overview of the security performance of their PCs, as well as an advanced view, which will allow more sophisticated users to view and fine-tune detailed security settings. The views are accessible via the McAfee SecurityCenter.

Visit McAfee here

Click read more below to see the full news item

Microsoft Delivers First Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac Users

Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac, its first Mac-specific desktop complete with a stylish wireless Comfort Curve Keyboard and a wireless High Definition laser mouse. With this new desktop set, the Microsoft Hardware division combines comfortable design with High Definition technology to deliver the ultimate in cutting-edge performance, luxury and style to any Mac user. The futuristic silver finish complements the Mac design to make a mark on any desktop while providing the freedom of wireless control.

The Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac features Microsoft's first keyboard designed specifically for the Mac. The key layout is consistent with Mac-only keyboards. To truly meet Mac users' needs, this is Microsoft's only keyboard without the Windows Start button. The Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac is compatible with the new Intel-based Mac machines as well as PowerPC models, and will have Hot Keys that map to Mac programs such as iTunes and iPhoto.

"We are excited to see our colleagues on the Microsoft Hardware team provide this Mac-only keyboard and mouse to strengthen Microsoft's lineup of products for Mac users, which includes our productivity suite, Office 2004 for Mac," said Scott Erickson, director of product management and marketing for the Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft. "This launch further demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to enhancing the computing experience for Mac users. We were able to preview the product at Macworld this January and saw firsthand the very favorable response from Mac customers."

For greater comfort at work or in the home, the Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac's Comfort Curve Keyboard encourages natural hand and wrist positioning in an easy-to-use layout for enhanced comfort and productivity. The Comfort Curve design is preferred by a ratio of 3-to-1 over flat, straight keyboards, and includes a cushioned palm rest for supreme comfort. Designed and tested by Microsoft's in-house ergonomists and usability experts, the Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac is the ultimate in comfort and performance for Mac users and includes the following key features:

— Mac Modifier Keys. Control, Option and Command buttons are right where users need them.

— Zoom Slider. Consumers can zoom in for a closer look at digital pictures, maps and more.

— My Favorites Keys. These five keys can be customized to instantly bring up favorite photos, folders, files and Web pages.

— Eject key. This key lets users easily eject CDs and DVDs.

— Hot Keys. These buttons offer one-touch, immediate access to programs consumers use the most, including those for e-mail, chat, music, photos and the Web.

The Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac features a sleek silver wireless High Definition laser mouse. Microsoft's cutting-edge High Definition technology is two generations ahead of standard optical mouse products and gives the mouse ultimate precision and responsiveness. In addition, the mouse utilizes Microsoft's Intelligent Tracking System for smoother tracking without interruptions or skipping, even over unique surfaces. For enhanced performance this mouse also features a Tilt Wheel for navigating and viewing documents and spreadsheets with ease. One-click access to Microsoft's Magnifier tool makes the Mac magnifier feature more discoverable for real-time document enlargement.

"The Hardware team has been creating Mac-compatible peripherals for many years," said Rusty Jeffress, general manager of the Microsoft Hardware team at Microsoft. "We always value the feedback of our customers; for this product we went back to the drawing board with the specific requests of our Mac users, and are excited to deliver our first Mac-specific keyboard and mouse that provide the tools and features Mac users need to be productive."

The Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac will be available this summer for an estimated retail price of $99.95 (U.S.).

Click read more below to see the full news item

Chapura Increases Outlook Synchronization Capability of Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone Devices

Multi-folder, Multi-PC Synchronization Features of PocketMirror Professional 2.1 Add New Dimension of Mobile Productivity to Lives of Smartphone Owners

Chapura, Inc., an innovator of synchronization technology for mobile personal information managers (PIMs), today announced that the company has updated its popular Outlook synchronization software, PocketMirror(R) Professional for Microsoft Windows Mobile, to support the Smartphone edition of Windows Mobile 5, in addition to the Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone Editions of Windows Mobile 5.0 that the previous version supported. The updated PocketMirror software supports the smartphones produced by manufacturers who use the default Windows Mobile Application Security Policy, such as the Moto Q smartphone from Motorola.

PocketMirror(R) Professional 2.1 for Windows Mobile adds a new dimension of mobile productivity to the lives of smartphone owners by allowing them to synchronize multiple Outlook folders on multiple PCs with their device and keep the folders' contents organized separately and easily identifiable on the handheld. While the built-in ActiveSync software transfers and updates data only between the default Outlook folders on the PC and Mobile Outlook, Chapura's exclusive AnyFolder(TM) technology in PocketMirror Professional for Windows Mobile lets customers pick and choose which Outlook Contacts, Calendar and Tasks folders to synchronize with their handheld, including any public and subfolders on a Microsoft Exchange Server. In addition, PocketMirror Professional for Windows Mobile creates folder-like categories, denoted with an asterisk, to keep the data separate on the mobile device like it is in Outlook. This convenient mobile filing system helps customers easily synchronize work folders at their work PC and personal folders with their home PC.

"Chapura wants customers to know just how easy it is to carry and organize multiple Outlook folders on a pda or smartphone using PocketMirror Professional for Windows Mobile," said Keith Ellenberg, president of Chapura. "'See asterisk, think folder' is the guideline for creating and identifying folder-like categories on the mobile device."

Migrating Data from Palm OS(R) to Windows Mobile Device

As consumers and enterprise customers continue to migrate between platforms, the swift and accurate transfer of personal information between devices is vital. Using PocketMirror Professional for Window Mobile in concert with PocketCopy software from Chapura, customers can easily transfer their data from the Palm(R) Desktop to the new device via Microsoft Outlook. At the touch of a button, PocketCopy copies Palm Desktop Address Book, Date Book, To Do List and Memo Pad or Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Memos information into Microsoft Outlook Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes. From there, customers may use the Active Sync software on their Windows Mobile device and PocketMirror Professional for Windows Mobile to synchronize the data between Outlook and the mobile device.

Pricing and Availability

PocketMirror Professional for Windows Mobile is available for $49.95 and PocketCopy is available for $19.95 from the Chapura Web site at http://www.chapura.com and from leading online resellers including Handango at http://www.handango.com, and PocketGear at http://www.pocketgear.com.

Click read more below to see the full news item

Innergy Power’s Emergency Preparedness Kit

The Emergency Preparedness Kit is a compact, portaable renewable energy source that can be recharged from the sun when power is out.

Innergy Power’s Emergency Preparedness Kit is a unique power solution designed to meet the basic communication and lighting needs of victims of natural disasters and blackouts as well as rescue personnel. The heart of the Emergency Preparedness Kit is the IP1208PP Power Pack, a 12V, 8Ah source of power that can be recharged from the sun, from the wall or from the cigarette lighter (DC outlet) receptacle of a car or truck.

With the included wall charger, the Emergency Preparedness Kit can be left on charge permanently, meaning it will be ready to use immediately during a power outage. The Power Pack comes equipped with a detachable cigarette lighter receptacle (DC plug) that can power a wide range of devices including cell phones, laptop PCs, two-way radios and lighting products. Power can be provided to these devices during sustained power outages caused by blackouts, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, etc. Once the sun is shining, the Power Pack can be recharged with the built-in solar module, eliminating the need for gas-powered generators.

The Emergency Preparedness Kit comes equipped with a 12V halogen light that can be immediately plugged into the Power Pack to provide up to 18 hours of continuous light.

The ballistic nylon carrying case holds the Power Pack, the wall charger, the detachable DC plug, the halogen light and includes sufficient space for other essential emergency supplies like first aid kits.

Find out more here at INNERGY

Special Deluxeware Software Offer

From Tuesday 30th May 2006 for one week only, every Deluxeware game and application is being offered at a very special price at the Astraware store. Deluxeware's software features a wide range of useful utilities, reference applications and fun sports, action and puzzle games including Blackjack Deluxe, Earth Navigator, Hedgehog, Caribbean Poker, Travel Deluxe SE, and Clock Deluxe. All titles are compatible with Palm OS(R) 4.0 upwards.

Deluxe Discounts of 25% or more are available on every Deluxeware game or application at the Astraware website from Tuesday 30th May to Tuesday 6th June 2006 with discounted games as low as $4.95. To check out the selection of Deluxe Discounts, visit the Astraware website at http://www.astraware.com, and don't forget you can earn Club Astraware points on all Deluxeware titles you buy!

This Could Be It! - The Sony UX50

HDTV: Video of the Sony Vaio UX50
Akihabara News has AGAIN come up with an exclusive with a GREAT video of the new Sony UX50!

The manufacturer has just started supplying the first machines to the retailers yesterday and today, and the UX90 should hit the shelves by the end of this week. A number of shops like Yodobashi Camera have some demo machines on display from this afternoon onwards and some other shops have not received their units yet, so this really is HOT news!

Check it out...it is simple, short and gives a neat "first look". I can't wait to see the reviews from the folks who are lucky enough to get an early look.

Visit Akihabara News here to catch the video

Thanks to Chris at Mobilitysite for the link to this story

Taking a bite of the (Apple) Game

Rumor has it it that:

...there may be more to the Apple-game rumors than mere Mac-mad daydreams. A tech-sector recruiter contacted the GS NewsDesk with an interesting story of a prospective hire that got away. Recently, when said recruiter made an offer to a software engineer, the engineer turned the offer down--saying he was being "heavily recruited by Apple."

According to the engineer, an Apple hiring manager named Mike Lampell is heading up a group inside Apple's storied iTunes division. The group is specifically hiring for "C/C++ coders with a ‘gaming background.’" The engineer says the project in question was described to him as "super secret," and Apple would not even tell him the exact nature of it until he had been hired and signed a non-disclosure agreement.

It seems only natural to me that Apple will STRONGLY consider going that next step to add one more "killer" item to their immensely popular iPod.

MUSIC...VIDEOS...and now GAMES! How BIG is that market?

Check out the GameSpot Rumor Control

We Feel Fine ... well, sort of

I had an email earlier today from a friend pointing out this site. This is NOT how I Experience Mobility but I did find it interesting.

An exploration of human emotion, in six movements by Jonathan Harris and Sepandar Kamvar

Health Concerns over Wi-Fi?

Are you experiencing headaches, fatigue, irritability, and lack of concentration? Experts believe that it might be caused by your Wi-Fi network. I found this interesting because I have been experiencing a lack of concentration lately...but I thought it was caused by the desire to be out on the lake.....

The article goes on to say that "there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest certain people are hypersensitive to the emissions from wireless access points and other electromagnetic devices".

What do you think?

You can read the article "Experts Raise Health Concerns over Wi-Fi" here.

The Q1 - "1 kilogram wasteland,"

Barry Levine from newsfactor.com wrote an interesting article that you might find interesting. He talked about the effort to crossbreed an Ultra Mobile PC from a laptop, a PDA, and a portable media player with the eventual introduction of the Samsung Q1.

There are definitely "Mixed Reviews" from those that are keeping tabs on the first Q1. From being too small (or too big), limited battery life and an incredibly HIGH price tag($1,099, there certainly has been a lot of discussion.

Check out Barry's article...

Vaja Inspired to Design by the World Cup

....and the tradition continues.

The exclusive World Cup Collection has all the features of the original iVod, such as padded interior, screen and wheel protectors, headphones, syncs & charge cutouts and easy access to all touch functions. Choose your iVod World Cup according to your favorite team and start playing, only at http://www.vajacases.com

VaJa has always impressed me with their cases especially this new line of cases for the iPod. Recently I gave my son an iVod case to protect his iPod Video. If you want to see the review I did, you can read it here at Mobilitysite.

Note: This collection is also available for Razr V3 Leather Suit

Digismart - Miniature Projection Technology

You hear the BIG sound now SEE the BIG picture!

Can you imagine...create a powerpoint presentation, save it to your mobile device then at a business meeting use your device as a projector to show your presentation. Sounds cool, huh?

Digismart is a patented technology that will soon allow mobile handsets and other devices to have projection capabilities.

The advent of 3G, Bluetooth, PXT, WAP, Voice Recognition and WiFi convergence and connectivity technologies, increase content capacity and transmission capabilities. Despite all that, detailed images are not possible due to small display screens. Digismart enhances functionality by addressing these constraints.

The Digismart technology design, centres on the use of a miniature wide-angle lens system. The design protection covers the unique lens arrangements and use of solid state or filament lamps (the former largely eliminate heat end energy consumption issues) for fixed, hand-held and mobile apparatus applications.

In the context of practical applications, images from the mobile phone screen can be projected onto a wall or other flat surface.

Both business and leisure markets will benefit from the Digismart application. There is a clear opportunity for this core technology to be available in the mobile phone market, ideally promoted by, and integrated into, the product portfolio of a leader in the market.

Check out this amazing technology here at digislide

Special thanks to Dave over at http://geekswithblogs.net for finding this item...

WebCopier for Pocket PC - Internet When You Don't Have a Connection

MaximumSoft Corp. announced the release of WebCopier for Pocket PC 4.3. The program allows to download entire Web sites, store them locally and view them later view them on desktop computers or Pocket PCs, at users’ convenience. WebCopier provides access to the downloaded information at any time, no matter where its users are, no Internet connection is required.

WebCopier can copy or print whole sites or sections, and you can schedule the downloads to occur at a particular time. Your saved pages can then be copied onto disks and CDs, so you can take your Web-snapshot with you.

Individuals can use WebCopier to save complete copies of their favorite sites, magazines, or stock quotes. Students can download enormous amounts of information from the Internet for later study. Teachers can download whole sites so their students can view them later offline. Developers may use this tool for analyzing web sites.

Companies can use WebCopier to transfer company's intranet contents to staff desktops and notebooks, create a copy of companies’ online catalogs and brochures for sales personal, backup corporate web sites, print downloaded files.

The new version contains major improvements in all components, automatically checks for new versions, has improved Java applets parsing and provides full Windows Mobile 5.0 support.

Visit MaximumSoft Corp. here

FREE411 - A Very Cool Service!

It's simple. Dial 1-800-FREE411 for free directory assistance. You may hear a short relevant offer while we're looking up your number...

Have you ever been "out and about' and have the need to make a call but you either forget or don't know the number? So, what do you do? Dial 411...get the number...and GET a CHARGE on your NEXT Cell bill! NO MORE BABY!!

There is a service available out there for you to get your numbers while you are trying to Experience Mobility and the service is ABSOLUTELY FREE!. In theory, there might be a "short" advertisement(5-10 sec) prior to receiving the number...it has NOT occured for me at this writing. If they don’t have an ad that makes sense for you to hear, they won't play you one...pretty cool!

I have had terrific luck with the service and without hesitation reccomend it for you tio add to you speed dial. Experience Mobility easier....dial 1-800-FREE411

The service is made possible by national and local businesses who sponsor this service with brief valuable offers that are played to 1-800-FREE411 callers. This allows businesses to attract new customers over the phone, cost effectively, with little or no risk. Meanwhile, our callers get completely free directory assistance, saving you significant dollars per year.

The company was founded by veteran advertising and technology executives who pioneered some of the most innovative and successful advertising solutions in online media, and who hate to pay every time they call 411.

To learn more about how 1-800-FREE411 works and can save you money, click here.

Be Adventurous - Try the 2007 Microsoft Office System Beta

See how significant updates to Microsoft Office make it easier to get the results you want.

Evaluate the next release of Microsoft Office products for testing and planning purposes with 2007 Microsoft Office system Beta 2. The beta release contains all the functionality of the regular release, but is not the final product.

About Beta Software

Registration is required for participation.

2007 Microsoft Office system Beta 2 is for evaluation and planning purposes only.

Beta software does not necessarily display the same high level of stability of shipped Microsoft products.

Beta testers may experience problems with 2007 Microsoft Office system Beta 2 products that could potentially result in loss, corruption, or destruction of existing data.

This beta testing release is not appropriate for production use.

It is strongly recommended that you back up your existing data before you install and run this software.

Beta code is offered "as is," and does not include technical support.

Many organizations have policies prohibiting unauthorized software installation on company-owned computers. Make sure you check with your IT department before downloading and installing 2007 Microsoft Office system Beta 2 on your computer at work.

This is a "cool" opportunity to see what is coming down the line and be able to say that YOU had a part in the development.

Find out MORE here

How Secure is Your Portable Data?

Artemis Solutions Group announced today the immediate availability of their latest innovative product under the BioCert® product line – the BioCert® ClipBio™ Pro 1GB Secure Fingerprint Flash Drive.

The BioCert® ClipBio™ Pro 1GB biometric flash drive provides consumers with the latest in biometric technology to secure data, while allowing the user to securely control access to their private data with a touch of their fingerprint. The previous version of the ClipBio was featured in Forbes Magazine article "How to Travel Like a Billionaire – 2006" at a price of $229.95.

The newly redesigned ClipBio Pro with 1GB of storage is attractively priced at nearly half the price of the previous model – now only $129.95 through the companies website at www.clipbio.com.

The most conservative estimates by Gartner® Dataquest puts the total unit volumes of USB Flash drives sold in 2005 at 84 Million pieces. But out of those sold how many are truly secure?

Developed in conjunction with Symwave® using their BioPrint® swipe fingerprint technology, the BioCert® ClipBio™ Pro 1GB Flash Drive uses advanced encryption methods and a secure biometric algorithm to authorize users access to their data on a secure partition on the ClipBio Pro.

Secured using AES 128 bit encryption, the secure partition of the BioCert® ClipBio™ Pro 1GB is only accessible when an authorized user swipes their fingerprint over the BioPrint® Sensor through the included Odyssey™ software.

On May 22nd, a story that shocked the nation was released to the press from the United States Department of Defense involving a Veterans Affairs employee having the personal data including the names, addresses medical conditions, and Social Security numbers of 26.5 Million US Veterans stolen from an unsecured disk located at his home.

Even though the Veterans Affairs Secretary, Jim Nicholson said there was no evidence that the data has been used for identity theft purposes, the fact that the data was in the hands of someone other than an authorized individual is a substantial breach of security and public trust. With personal identity theft representing a burgeoning problem throughout the US, this type of information being readily available represents a substantial risk to individuals, business, banking and eCommerce.

“Our BioCert® ClipBio™ Pro 1GB Flash Drive is designed to allow only authorized individuals to have access to your encrypted data stored on the secure partition. Customers have to authenticate their identity with a swipe of their fingerprint on the sensor. The ClipBio Pro is automatically recognized by PCs running the Windows XP operating system and the secure partition is only visible once the user is authenticated.

There are quite literally millions of these USB flash disks in circulation right now with all kinds of personal data on them including credit card numbers, credit reports, birth certificates, financial documents, tax returns and other readily identifiable personal data that could be used in identity theft.

Even though Government Employees are highlighted in the latest confidential information release scandal, business owners and executives don't fare much better with the protection of their "secure data". As an example, at many trade shows and conferences, industrial espionage is a legitimate concern as thieves are always looking to pick up a random BlackBerry, Cell Phone or unattended flash drive of an attending executive to gain competitive intelligence or confidential information.

The BioCert ClipBio and the new to be released iQBioDrive™ thwarts the would-be thieves and secures this confidential data with biometric security” states James Childers – CEO of Artemis Solutions Group (iQBio, Inc.)

Produced in conjunction with Symwave Corporation of San Diego California, the BioCert ClipBio Pro is powered by the Symwave BioPrint SW6888 swipe fingerprint IC.

The BioCert ClipBio Pro is the first product from iQBio, Inc. to incorporate this sensor. iQBio, Inc. is currently in the process of developing a broad range of hardware and software products built around the SW6888 swipe sensor from Symwave including a 100GB iQBioDrive™ Secure Portable Storage™ Drive, desktop fingerprint sensor, integrated keyboard and optical mouse for PC Login, drive, file and folder encryption and single sign on (SSO) password capabilities for applications and websites. These products already in development and testing phases are expected to be released late Q2 or early Q3 2006.

In addition to the standard encryption and private directory software, the BioCert ClipBio Pro comes pre-bundled with a 30 day trial version of iQBioSync™ software developed in conjunction with Dmailer, Inc. iQBioSync allows the user to synchronize their information between PC's including documents, email and browser favorites. This software also allows a user to take their ClipBio Pro to any PC and use it as their own, with their data and email, even being able to send and receive email from a PC that does not have Microsoft Outlook Installed. A full version of the iQBioSync software can be purchased for $29.95.

The ClipBio Pro also includes a suite of open source portable applications including FireFox web browser, Thunderbird email client, OpenOffice Software Suite and ClamWin Antivirus. This suite of applications let any person take their ClipBio Pro to ANY PC with Windows XP loaded and run these applications directly from their flash drive leaving no trace of their application on the host PC. These products are distributed under the GNU open source license agreement. The iQBioSync software bundled with the Portable Application Suite allows any ClipBio Pro owner to open, save, share, store and email Microsoft Office fully compatible documents, pictures, spreadsheets, databases and other files directly from their ClipBio Pro. The complete BioCert ClipBio Pr solution offers a unparalleled combination of software portability and security – all with a swipe of your finger.

Functional, Stylish and Secure, The BioCert® ClipBio™ Pro is one of the most secure, innovative and advanced Personal Secure Portable Storage™ devices on the market. This plug-and-play Secure Portable Storage device may just become the most used accessory you own. Imagine, taking your files with you in an encrypted memory key that can only be opened with your fingerprint. At a value price point of $129.95 , the ClipBio Pro is perfect for Executives, Students, Business Owners, Bankers, Lawyers, Doctors and just about everyone else with a finger.

The BioCert® ClipBio™ Pro from Artemis Solutions Group is about to change the way you secure and travel with information.

More information can be found on the web at www.clipbio.com.

About Artemis Solutions Group & iQBio, Inc. (www.iQBio.com) - ASG (www.artemis-usa.com) is a closely held, private security firm specializing in fingerprint biometric and smart card security solutions. With offices in the US, EU, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, ASG sells directly and through its global network of resellers and system integrators best of breed biometric and smart card security systems to small & medium business and local government agencies throughout the world. ASG’s related company iQBio is tasked with design, supplier relations, manufacture and OEM manufacturing oversight and global sourcing, distribution and logistics of its solutions.

ASG markets a range of computer, software and consumer products under its properly registered and owned trademark BioCert® and BioSaf® through a network of domestic and international resellers and extensively on the Internet through their owned and operated websites.

About Symwave (www.symwave.com) - Symwave was founded in February 2001 by a team of leading analog/mixed signal IC design engineers. The BioPrint™ SW6888 swipe-type fingerprint IC solution is designed to provide fingerprint authentication and mouse-pad navigation functionality in power-sensitive and small form-factor application environments, such as mobile handsets, PDAs, laptop computers and direct-attached storage devices. The SW6888 combines proprietary sensing technology with ruggedized, small form factor design and leading-edge software, providing customers with a full fingerprint identification solution. The SW6888 swipe sensor was designed to be the most accurate, easily integrated, cost-effective fingerprint solution available for computing, consumer electronics and mobile devices.

About Dmailer (www.dmailer.com) - Located on the French Riviera and created in 2001, DMAILER is a privately held development and technology licensing company specialized in portable BACKUP & SYNCHRONIZATION software solutions for all sort of mobile devices (USB flash drives, Hard Disk drives, SD cards, mp3 players, iPods etc.). Our Mission is to provide the most innovative and best-in-class portable BACKUP & SYNCHRONIZATION software solutions for mobile device owners. We intend to be the leader in added value software for USB flash drives and mp3 players.

BioCert® and BioSaf® are registered trademarks of Artemis Solutions Group. iQBio™, iQBioSafe™, iQBioSync™, iQBioDrive™, Secure Portable Storage™ Odyssey™ Software and ClipBio™ are trademarks of Artemis Solutions Group. Symwave® and BioPrint® are registered trademarks of the Symwave Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and companies.



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Experience Mobility Comfortably - Get FREE CompuSec

Full Functions. No Limitation. Online Support. FREE CompuSec® is a Security Suite that protects Notebook and Desktop PCs


FREE CompuSec® is a Security Suite that protects Notebook and Desktop PCs. It provides Access Control, Single Sign On, Hard Disk Encryption, CD encryption, file encryption, network encryption and VoIP encryption. This version of CompuSec® is free for private and commercial use with full product functions without any limitations. You can download your free copy at http://www.ce-infosys.com.

FREE CompuSec® provides high level of security with a flexible and transparent mode of operation. Individuals, small groups of users as well as large enterprises use FREE CompuSec®. It combines a complete set of security functions, while providing users the option to configure the product to their own needs. Large organizations will also find a host of special functions to efficiently manage a large implementation of CompuSec®, such as unattended installation, centralized rollout, support for disk images, central software distribution, service functions and central user management.

Pre-Boot-Authentication
Whenever a system starts, users will be required to enter their username and password in order to boot up the operating system. This process provides additional protection since the authentication process is independent of the Operating System. FREE CompuSec® also provides several other help functions in the pre-boot phase to assist users with forgotten passwords.

Password Management
Whenever a system starts, users will be required to enter their username and password in order to boot up the operating system. This process provides additional protection since the authentication process is independent of the Operating System. FREE CompuSec® also provides several other help functions in the pre-boot phase to assist users with forgotten passwords.

Single Sign On
FREE CompuSec® will encrypt and store the system logon password together with the username and the domain name to automatically log the users into their operating system. This function provides a greater level of convenience for users who now only need to remember one set of username and password. FREE CompuSec® also provides a keyboard or screensaver lock that users can quickly activate when they leave their systems momentarily.

Hard Disk Encryption
The hard disk encryption uses a fast implementation of the AES algorithm. This encryption also includes the operating system. Multiple Operating systems are supported on a single computer. The initial encryption can be performed immediately after reboot or transparent while the user is using the PC. The latter which is Background-Encryption allows the user to interrupt the encryption process and shut down the computer at any time. The support of the Hibernation mode is very important to mobile users. In Hibernation, the contents of the computer RAM are written to the disk and the computer shut down. When restarted, the contents in the RAM are reloaded from the hibernation file and the user can continue to work. This is faster and allows the user to shut down in the middle of an application. So far, most hard disk encryption products could not support this mode and disabled hibernation. CE-Infosys is the first company providing support for hibernation mode with its product line.

Encryption of Diskettes, CD-ROM & Removable Media - CDCrypt
Diskettes, CD / DVD and removable media devices such as Memory Sticks and USB thumb drives can be encrypted by FREE CompuSec®. The encryption for CD / DVD uses the CDCrypt feature to support internal and external CD burners that are connected using USB or IDE. With central administration, an encryption policy may define whether a user may or may not switch the mode from encrypted to non-encrypted when using such devices. As such, an organization can easily enforce a policy to use only encrypted Diskettes, Removable Media Devices and CD-RW / CD-R / DVD to minimize the threat of data theft. Such encryption is unobtrusive and does not change the way the user works with these devices.

Advance VPN Client for Secure Connection to Corporate Networks
FREE CompuSec® provides IP encryption for WAN and LAN users. An enhanced IPSec client is a selectable function of FREE CompuSec®. The IP encryption client supports pool address modes, data compression, multiple dial-in points and other features, which are explained in detail in our IPCryptor product literature. The IP encryption of FREE CompuSec® needs an IPCryptor as counterpart in the network.

Encryption of Individual Files - DataCrypt
FREE CompuSec® includes a module that enables users to encrypt individual files called DataCrypt. DataCrypt will enable users to encrypt their messages and send them via email, ftp etc. The data will travel safely over whatever medium chosen to allow CompuSec® users to safely exchange files. DataCrypt can also be used as a software module and can be forwarded to other users without a license free of charge. DataCrypt employs Public-Key-Cryptography based on elliptic curves to generate keys for encryption and decryption. DataCrypt also uses a new technology called ‘Sealing’ that will hide all structures in the header of the encrypted file, giving additional protection against ‘traffic analysis’ on the network.

Encryption of Server Files & Subdirectories - SafeLan
File and Directory Encryption with FREE CompuSec® can be performed for local or network files and/or directories. This function called SafeLan will ensure that all files written or copied into the encrypted directory will automatically be encrypted and remaining completely transparent to the end user. This also means that a user without an authorized directory key will not have access to the directory and will also be unable to see the files. This function is used to separate users of the same file server in a strong cryptographic way and also ensure that server administrators cannot see the contents of the encrypted files. SafeLan supports NTFS, Novell, FAT and network based file systems.

Encryption of Voice Communication - [ClosedTalk]™[ClosedTalk]™ is a component of CompuSec® used for encrypted voice communication between CompuSec® users. The built-in sound system of the computer is used for [ClosedTalk]™. No IP telephone is needed. [ClosedTalk]™ uses Internet to transport the voice data from one user to the other. E-mail addresses are used to contact communication partners. An e-mail address is self-explanatory and easier to remember than traditional phone numbers. [ClosedTalk]™ uses a gatekeeper service to find the communication partner on the network. The Diffie-Hellman key generation protocol is used to provide secure session keys for each talk.

Identity Management
FREE CompuSec® manages the identity of the user for applications. For existing applications requiring passwords, FREE CompuSec® learns the users' passwords, stores them in an encrypted format and automatically inserts the correct password into the application when required. This is available for local and WEB based applications.

Installation & Management
FREE CompuSec® can be installed as a product without a central management station. In this case, a security file is created during installation containing all the user's secret keys. It is the user's responsibility to store this file carefully. In larger organizations, a central management is recommended. This GlobalAdmin station manages all installations and provides additional functions for unattended installations, automatic software rollout and software update, remote password reset and a complete management of the VPN functions. GlobalAdmin also manages the access of multiple users to a single machine as well as the access for a single user to multiple machines. FREE CompuSec® can also be used as an integrated part of a company wide PKI structure. Details are described in the GlobalAdmin product literature. Automatic synchronization with Microsoft user management and Active Directory is provided for the management of CompuSec®.

Support
or individual users, there is a support group available at no cost. The CE-Infosys team visits the user forum regularly to attend to user queries. Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CompuSec and join the user forum today. For larger organizations, service and maintenance contracts are available. Please feel free to contact us to find out more about user support for your organization.

Check it out...it looks to be an excellent addition to your arsenal of protection!
Get FREE CompuSec here


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The Next Mobile Craze - Calling Tunes

There are signs that the UK is beginning to be gripped by a new mobile craze called Calling Tunes, music tracks that people hear down the phone line when they call a mobile. A great way to personalize your mobile, the UK Calling Tunes service from Orange has had 150,000 downloads since its launch at the start of the year, with the number of users growing by a third each month through word-of-mouth.

Mobile lovers today can pick from over 500 Calling Tunes from 14 different categories - ranging from urban to indie music, film and TV anthems to animal noises - and have them play down their mobile phone line over the repetitive ring ring whilst callers wait for an answer.

This Week's Calling Tunes Top Ten

1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
2. Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
3. World At Your Feet (World Cup 2006 Anthem) - Embrace
4. From Paris to Berlin - Infernal
5. Big Brother Theme
6. Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns 'n' Roses
7. Insomnia - Faithless
8. I See You Baby - Groove Armada
9. A-Team Theme
10. SOS - Rhianna

Investigations have shown that Orange customers are choosing their Calling Tunes for a variety of reasons - a significant song that has sentimental value; a chart topper which is getting them dancing at the weekend; a song that encapsulates their personalities perfectly, or one that simply makes their friends smile. One message is coming through loud and clear, it's proving a great way for Britons to express themselves and to personalize their phones.

"This year you'll subject pals to around 20,000 ring rings whilst they wait for you to pick up your mobile, in that time friends could have listened to over 160 songs - we think Calling Tunes are the answer," said Mark Ashford, Head of Music, Orange UK.

"When people hear a Calling Tune, they're genuinely surprised. People want to know how they can get rid of the dull ring ring on their mobile phone line and have the latest number one playing, the A Team theme tune or even a cow mooing!"

Calling Tunes can be experienced by any of Orange's 15 million customers and can be found through Orange World, or 477 on Orange mobile phones, or through the Orange.co.uk website. Calling Tunes cost each GBP2.50 to buy.

Check out Calling Tunes by Orange here

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SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile Smartphone

Sling Media launched today a public beta giving Slingbox owners the ability to watch and control their home television on many of the hottest Windows Mobile smartphones including Motorola Q, T-Mobile SDA and the i-mate SP5m

Sling Media, Inc., a digital lifestyle products company, today announced a public beta program for its new version of SlingPlayer(TM) Mobile for devices based on the Windows Mobile Smartphone Edition operating system. Now Slingbox(TM) owners can watch and control their home TV from any network-enabled mobile phone or handheld computer (PDA) powered by Windows Mobile. The beta version of SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Smartphone software is available today as a free download from Sling Media's web site, http://www.slingmedia.com, as part of the public beta program. This new software is compatible with devices that run Microsoft's Windows Mobile Smartphone Edition version 5.0.

"The Slingbox has created a whole new phenomenon in television viewing," said Blake Krikorian, Sling Media CEO & co-founder. "With SlingPlayer Mobile, we continue to make it easier to extend your living room TV experience to wherever you happen to be and ensure that you never miss that pivotal play or big news event and that you always know the score."

Complete TV Experience

SlingPlayer Mobile gives consumers their entire home TV experience, including local channels, local sports teams, video on demand, pay per view, etc. Any program that you can watch on your sofa back home, you can now watch via your Windows Mobile-based device. In addition, SlingPlayer Mobile users can also control their home digital video recorder (DVR) to watch recorded shows, pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV, or even queue new recordings while on the road.

At the completion of the public beta period, SlingPlayer Mobile will be available for $29.99 and includes a free 30-day risk free trial. There are no monthly or recurring charges for the use of the software. Users simply need a network connection to access their home television experience, whether that is 3G cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB.

Compatible with smartphones such as the Motorola Q, T-Mobile SDA and the i-mate SP5m, Slingbox owners have their pick of the most popular and new wireless devices on the market. A full list of compatible devices is available at http://www.slingmedia.com/mobile.

About Slingbox

The Slingbox is a breakthrough consumer electronics product that enables consumers to watch their living room TV programming from wherever they are by turning virtually any Internet-connected Windows-based laptop or desktop and any Windows Mobile-based device into a personal TV. The Slingbox redirects, or "placeshifts," a single live TV stream from a cable box, satellite receiver, or DVR to the viewer's PC-located anywhere in the home or anywhere in the world, via the Internet.

About Sling Media

Sling Media, Inc. is a digital lifestyle products company creating a family of consumer electronics solutions that are a natural extension of today's digital way of life. The first member of the Sling Media family is the award-winning Slingbox(TM), a device that allows consumers to access their living room television experience at any time, from any location, using a variety of different displays including laptops and desktop PCs, PDAs and smartphones. The Slingbox is available from leading retailers nationwide and through Sling Media's own website. For more information on Sling Media or the Slingbox, visit http://www.slingmedia.com.
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Performance T-Shirt

SCOTTEVEST --- functional, fashionable, and innovative clothing

The SeV T-Shirt is now available in a performance fabric. The 3M Quick Dry fabric is designed to draw moisture away from your body, keeping you drier, cooler and more comfortable. It is perfect for athletics, yet stylish enough to wear around town. In addition to moisture management, most stains wash out with normal home laundering, the fabric remains soft and breathable and colors stay brighter.

We've maintained the design elements that have made the SeV T-Shirt so popular. Unlike t-shirts that just have a pocket sewn on the outside that will stretch and pull, this t-shirt is designed to enable you to place a device in the pocket and NOT have it pull on your neck or stretch your shirt.

Our Weight Management System™ has been incorporated to provide you with the ultimate in comfort and yet the versatility of being able to carry your devices. The pocket will hold most commonly used devices, such Apple's Nano and iPod without affecting the neckline. For added comfort, the pocket is lined with special fabric, designed to hold its shape and prevent chafing.

The SeV T-Shirt features the patented Personal Area Network and a single ear loop. There is a metal zipper pull with a subtle SeV logo identifying you as a truly connected person!

It is available either as short sleeve ($29.99) or long sleeve ($34.99).

SCOTTEVEST --- functional, fashionable, and innovative clothing

Visit SCOTTEVEST here or click READ MORE below to read my take on the "ORIGINAL" SeV T-shirt



The "Original" SeV T-Shirt


The "SeV-T" --- Simple Yet Quite Unique



Of course I gave gone through a myriad of different t-shirts in my life. The ones I bought from trips to great vacation spots or the few I picked up to remember a terrific concert all have done their time. I have even tried a few that had pockets so I could carry that extra item but you know how they are. The pocket looks great until you put something in it then it just stretches the shirt and eventually you look like --- well, you know what I mean; it just looks bad, really bad.

But I really liked the idea of a single pocket on my shirts because I liked the option of being able to carry that pack of gum or a small device and yes, on occasion that old small cell phone I used to use. It was convenient and I liked it and it looked like hell! That is until SCOTTEVEST designed a t-shirt that never looks bad. That’s right; the SeV t-shirt has been meticulously designed to give you comfort, look great and provide you with what SCOTTEVEST has been renowned for --- a pocket!

This is just not an ordinary pocket either! SCOTTEVEST incorporated that "almost hidden" pocket concept so the shirt NEVER looks "frumpy" and using what made their vests so remarkable, this pocket has been designed to balance whatever you carry so it does not pull on your neck and won’t stretch the fabric. Alright, you could place a brick in the pocket and it will stretch but using it for what it was meant to carry will give you a means to carry items and always look fine!

I was pretty impressed with the tailoring of the pocket both on the outside and in the unique balancing system sewn on the inside. From the outside, a vertical fine mesh zipper has been sewn with perfect stitching. The "pull" has a SeV logo on either side giving it just that little extra "touch of class". Placed to the right of the “zipper pocket” is a small embroidered SeV logo as well as having a small logo on the back of the shirt.

Typical of SeV clothing, quality craftsmanship can be found throughout the t-shirt; the neck, sleeves and the bottom of the shirt have near flawless stitching. This t-shirt was made to last as well as provide you with ultimate comfort. As I was admiring the quality of the stitching, I couldn’t help but compare the quality of the 100% cotton shirt to the one I was wearing. Both indicated that they were 100% cotton and both were CLEARLY different. The “touch and feel” of the SeV t-shirt exudes fine apparel and for a t-shirt, that is something!

The construction of the balanced pocket is really quite unique. I refer to it as a three-point locking system: shoulder, arm and zipper entry. The shoulder and arm area balance the items so there is no sag, the zipper entry prevents the pocket from becoming distorted. What is even “cooler” is that there are NO VISIBLE SEAMS. After looking at it, I wondered why it took so long for someone to design a pocket that is functional yet non-obtrusive. SCOTTEVEST has clearly done that.

Since it is a TEC enabled piece of clothing, you will find the patented Technology Enabled Clothing® (TEC) concept as part of the pocket and there is a collar loop to hold your earphones in place. Of course the neutral ash gray color goes with everything and it is machine washable. This is one t-shirt that you will love to wear!




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PC World Presents: All-in-One Security Suites

PC World Presents:
All-in-One Security Suites
Live Web Chat
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
4pm Pacific Time (7pm Eastern Time)

This promises to be VERY COOL...I plan to be there!

Join in PC World's first ever online chat event all about security technology.
You'll learn about the featured suites, how they were tested and which is best for you. If you register now, you can submit questions for Narasu in advance and receive an e-mail reminder of the event.

To attend the event, go to: http://www.liveworld.com/events/pcworld/security

Is it America's "Coolest" Smartphone?

Some think it is! It has a lot of features...like a very cool QWERTY keypad. But is this enough for you?

Check out what Sascha Segan from PC magazine has to say. In part, Sascha says:

It's the Q, the Motorola Q. The RAZR-thin Motorola Q is the coolest smartphone in America. It's a terrific voice phone, a dandy music player, and a swell e-mail machine. Just be warned: Expensive service plans mean it isn't as cheap as it appears.

Read Sascha's "Q Review" here

The 3-percent federal excise tax - Going Going GONE!

“Today is a good day for American taxpayers. It marks the beginning of the end of an outdated, antiquated tax that has survived a century beyond its original purpose, and by now should have been ancient history,” said Treasury Secretary John Snow. “The federal appeals courts have spoken across the board. It’s time to ‘disconnect’ this tax and put it on the permanent ‘do not call’ list.”

The U.S. Treasury Department today announced it is conceding the legal dispute over the federal excise tax on long-distance telephone service. The Department of Justice will no longer pursue litigation and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will issue refunds of tax on long-distance service for the past three years. Taxpayers will be able to apply for refunds on their 2006 tax forms, to be filed in 2007.

Find the US Treasury website here

What is a hoopy frood?

In honor of the late great Douglas Adams, the hoopy froods at Astraware are celebrating Towel Day on 25th May. A hoopy frood was described by Adams in The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy as someone 'who really knows where their towel is'!

All across the world today, people are proudly displaying their towels. Zaphod Tomlinson, CEO of Astraware had this to say on the subject: "Douglas Adams changed our lives - great writing that makes you look at the world from a whole new standpoint, maybe even two standpoints at once, which is cool but gives you a double headache."


Our friends at Astraware coniue to have a great time at work while producing those incredible games we love. The only question I have is: "How many heads does Howard really have"?

Visit Astraware here for some great games and go here to see who Douglas Adams was

MobileTechRoundup Podcast #47

MobileTechRoundup with hosts David Ciccone, James Kendrick and Kevin C. Tofel have their latest podcast up. This is their 47th podcast...wow! They certainly have been busy!

This podcast has some very interesting discussions....check out the commentary about going into the operating room.

You can vist MobileTechRoundup here

Run Multiple Virtual PCs for Free

Scott Spanbauer from PC World wrote an interesting article talking about how "virtualization software lets you try out new OSes and programs without the risks and hassles of an actual installation".

You might want to read it, it was very interesting. In part, this is what Scott had to say:

If you're contemplating dual- or triple-booting operating systems on your PC, or you want to see how a new version of your current distribution behaves before upgrading, you'll want to consider it. Virtualization software allows you to install and run a new OS without having to repartition your drive or reboot your main operating system. Virtualization also lets you do risky things, like browse the Web using an unpatched version of Windows XP, without endangering the host system.

Read Scott's article here

What's the word from Motorola?- SLIMMER

And the diet continues....word has it that Motorola will continue "slimming" down and fattening their bottom (line) with a new cadre of ultra ultra slim phones.

They plan to call the new line the Scpl, pronounced "scalpel"....reminds me of a hospital. There is no word what will be special about this new line except that we can expect to see five features that other phone makers will NOT have. Hmmm...now what do you think they will be?

TV is one I bet.....naw, everyone will be having TV. What do you think?

DualCor Technologies Appoints New President and COO

DualCor Technologies, Inc announced that PC industry veteran, Rob Howe has joined the company as President and Chief Operating Officer.

"With his extensive experience in the PC industry with giants such as IBM, AT&T and Dell Computer, Rob is an excellent addition to the DualCor executive team," said Tim Glass, co-founder and CEO of DualCor. "Rob has a proven record in driving sales, marketing and operations to bring companies to the next level of success. With his leadership, DualCor will be able to effectively deliver our innovative handtop PC to the masses."



DualCor's signature product, the DualCor cPC, is the world's first ultra portable personal computer to simultaneously run full-function Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and Windows Mobile 5.0 operating systems. The DualCor cPC is the only all-in-one, wireless handtop computer that combines the power of a desktop PC and the instant-on convenience of a PDA.

The DualCor cPC allows companies to extend the convenience of running both Windows XP and Windows Mobile 5 in a single device. More specifically, corporate customers can extend the value of existing enterprise application software investments to mobile sales, marketing and field service knowledge workers. Its fully patented, dual-processor architecture and integrated 30 GB hard drive allow users to run all the Microsoft productivity applications they are accustomed to running on their notebook computers, as well as the real-time, non-diluted versions of enterprise applications like SAP, Oracle and Microsoft in the field as easily, and with the same effectiveness, as they are used in the office.

About DualCor Technologies, Inc.

DualCor Technologies, Inc. produces highly innovative, ultra portable computing solutions. DualCor's revolutionary, patented, dual processor architecture has created a new category of hardware for global enterprise computing and promises to end the compromise between mobility, functionality and productivity for the mobile business professional. In creating the "Holy Grail of Enterprise Mobility", DualCor's offerings provide 100% replication of the fully functional, fully connected, non-diluted, intra-enterprise desktop experience in a completely mobile handheld device.

For more information, visit http://www.dualcor.com.

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Rural Satellite Broadband Internet Service

New Broadband Option Available Today for Rural Customers in Traditional AT&T 13-State Residential Territory.

AT&T Inc. today announced the availability of its new satellite-based broadband Internet access service, delivering a new service option to millions of rural homes and businesses where DSL and cable services are not offered today.

The new satellite-based broadband service, called "AT&T High Speed Internet Access, powered by WildBlue," is available today to customers in many rural and remote areas across the company's traditional 13-state local residential service area. The new offering furthers AT&T's goal to expand the reach of broadband Internet access, and the services it enables, to 100 percent of homes and businesses in its traditional local service territory.

"Broadband access to the Internet is no longer a luxury, it is a vital need for most households and businesses today," said Jim Callaway, senior executive vice president, AT&T Business Development. "Satellite technology provides a viable broadband option for areas that cannot be effectively served by DSL or cable, enabling AT&T to offer services in areas that have had few or no options previously. Our efforts to expand the reach of broadband will enable many of our rural customers to take full advantage of online business, educational, and communications tools for the very first time."

AT&T is already the nation's largest provider of DSL broadband, with 7.4 million DSL lines in service and DSL service options available to nearly four out of five customer locations within the company's 13-state traditional local service area. The new satellite service provides a new option for as many as 11.5 million additional homes and businesses within this region.

Rural satellite-based broadband subscribers will have three service packages to choose from, with prices ranging from $49.95 to $79.95 per month, and broadband speed options ranging up to 1.5 Mbps downstream and up to 256 Kbps upstream. AT&T satellite-based broadband customers will have direct access to the public Yahoo! portal, which will be set as customers' default Internet home page.

Service options will initially be available in most rural AT&T service areas in the following states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Kansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas. Services are available today in portions of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Additional availability in these states is expected later in 2006.

The satellite-based broadband offering is delivered via an operating agreement with the satellite high-speed Internet provider WildBlue. The new satellite offering is part of an overall effort by AT&T to evaluate and develop new broadband technologies to serve its business and residential customers.

Earlier this month, AT&T announced expansion of its deployment of WiMAX and other fixed wireless technologies. These technologies show substantial potential for delivery of a range of networking services — such as Voice over IP, Internet access, and private business network access — over broadband wireless connections.

AT&T's new fixed wireless deployments, which will be launched this summer in Pahrump, Nevada, and Red Oak and Midlothian, Texas, will extend the AT&T Yahoo! broadband experience to residential and business customers in these communities, and will enable AT&T to further develop and refine WiMAX and other fixed wireless technologies as potential solutions for delivering services on a mass-market scale. The new communities will join AT&T's existing fixed wireless deployments in Alaska, Georgia and New Jersey.

In addition, AT&T in mid-April launched a limited service offering of wireless broadband Internet access in the North Texas communities of Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Centennial, and Little Elm. Customers in these service areas have direct access to the public Yahoo! portal, which will be set as customers' default Internet home page.

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Soft Touch, Washable, Wireless Computer Keyboards

Responding to current requirements for affordably priced, soft touch computer keyboards that can be disinfected, along with demand for wireless convenience, Unotron, Inc. today launched its IP66 and NEMA4X certified Washable Wireless Computer Keyboards.

Featuring Unotron's SpillSeal patented technology to safeguard against the risk of infection and cross-contamination, this innovative product allows for complete up-and-down finger motion that mirrors natural typing, endures repeated disinfecting, and eliminates the need to frequently replace keyboards.


With warnings from health officials regarding cross-contamination and the possibility of a flu pandemic, Unotron is already experiencing brisk sales of its Washable Wireless Computer Keyboards in business/commercial, healthcare, education, government, and consumer markets.

SpillSeal protected, Unotron's Washable Wireless Computer Keyboards are compatible with all PCs, including desktops, laptops, workstations and servers, as well as all healthcare and dental carts and platforms. They carry a full warranty, as well as global supply and support. Additional software is not required.

Unotron's Washable Wireless Computer Keyboards are USB (2.4 GHx) wireless units with PS/2 adapters, featuring sealed dome key assembly, standard 104 key layout with 15 multi-media and Internet hot-keys, as well as a detachable wrist support. They are resistant to water (including strong water pressure), dust, debris, sand, and ice formations. Form-fit easy-typing plastic covers will soon be available to seal the top of the keyboards for extra protection. Available in either black or gray (almost white), Unotron's Washable Wireless Computer Keyboards require 2 AA batteries, which are included. The units are compatible with Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP.

For more information about purchasing Unotron's Washable Wireless Computer Keyboards and other SpillSeal products, visit www.unotron.com


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i-mate Suite - a new mobile device and data management solution

i-mate Suite, the new mobile device and data management solution from i-mate, was launched today worldwide by i-mate, the leader in Windows Mobile-based devices and solutions.

i-mate Suite acts as a lifeline for users allowing them to minimise downtime, safeguard data and securely transfer information on the go. The advanced capabilities of a Windows Mobile 5.0 device coupled with i-mate Suite offers a complete package of PC-like functionality for those doing business on the run. The innovative service was developed in-house by i-mate Development Inc. and runs on any Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC or Smartphone device.

i-mate is offering a free 30-day trial of the new service, which is priced at US$9.99 per month. Users wanting to purchase i-mate Suite or take advantage of the free trial can sign-up at www.imatesuite.com.

"i-mate Suite was developed in response to user demand to give users total command and control of their Windows Mobile device and data securely anytime, anywhere. It is also the ideal solution to provide a corporate IT manager the same command over his Windows Mobile devices as it does over his PC infrastructure, but all remotely, so that he can implement his IT structures and polices over all his Windows Mobile devices. We will be offering the same service on a hosted model to SME and individual professionals," said Jim Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of i-mate.

The i-mate Suite solution comprises three modules: i-mate Control, i-mate 1-View and i-mate Backup. The software offers true mobile functionality without losing control of either security or compromising data.

i-mate 1-View safely extends access to corporate networks and files to Windows Mobile devices, expands mobile device storage, and provides document, data, and file sharing. i-mate Control allows enterprises to safeguard sensitive data, remotely configure or troubleshoot devices, automatically update all devices in the field wirelessly and remotely customise devices. i-mate Backup provides remote wireless data backup and restore of Windows Mobile devices.

The complete i-mate Suite allows users to engage in a host of activities such as browse files on home or office PCs from anywhere, share data between specified group members, extend the corporate network into the field, access a PC or Windows Mobile device from mobile devices (and vice-versa), remotely erase data if a device is ever lost or stolen, troubleshoot devices remotely, roll out new applications easily, customise information and other resources to have one look and feel and perform sophisticated wireless backup processes remotely.

About i-mate
i-mate are specialists in hardware and software solutions and services for Windows Mobile.

i-mate's cutting edge, customer-centric solutions offer the latest technology and device features. Its strategic relationship with Microsoft provides customers with the ultimate mobile experience for business, for pleasure, for life.

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Dial 1-866-MY-TRAFC

Traffic.com's New, Interactive Traffic Hotline Is Now Available To Drivers In 40 Metropolitan Areas In Time For Summer Travel

Traffic.com, Inc. has launched a free, interactive traffic hotline for drivers - 1-866-MY-TRAFC (1-866-698-7232).

Beginning today, drivers in 40 U.S. metropolitan areas can access this one-of-a-kind traffic reporting service when, where, and as often as they need it. This is the newest feature in Traffic.com's my traffic.com(TM) suite of personalized services, which deliver accurate, real-time traffic information to drivers online, or to their email, phone and PDA.

When drivers call 1-866-MY-TRAFC, they receive a detailed traffic report that includes a Jam Factor rating (a traffic scale that grades traffic conditions from 0-10 with 10 representing the worst possible traffic conditions); travel and delay times; accident reports; construction delays; and more.

Registered users of the http://www.traffic.com Web site can access their saved, personalized drives via the hotline; unregistered users will be prompted for their city and the roadway on which they are traveling. The driver will then receive the real-time traffic report for that particular drive or road.



Editors note:
The service is free and appears to work fine. I have used it in several different areas and was pleased with the results. There is a brief advertisement prior to you getting the report...very brief.

If you are in one of the areas indicated on the map, this just might be a number you want to keep saved on your phone.

JasJam - Could be coming soon!

A picture is worth 1000 words....and I could not say it better! My experience with the JasJar has been incredible and my experience with the K-Jam has truly changed how I Experience Mobility. Combine the two together....WHOA!



You can visit On The Go Solutions here to see all the info.

Chris at Mobilitysite found this one. Take a look at what he had to say here.

PICTURE PORTER - Securely Saves Photos on the Road

I am always looking for ways to increase my ability to Experience Mobility at a higher level. Taking slews of pictures while "out and about" is a constant happening but the concern that often comes up is just how do you save and view digital photos and video while you are out.

Digital Foci, Inc. introduced today Picture Porter portable digital photo album with hard drive and card reader that lets you instantly and securely save and view digital photos and video on a hard drive wherever you go, so you can keep snapping away and not worry about running out of memory card space.

Especially valuable for vacations, trade shows, special events, parties, and for pro photographers who take and show a large number of photos, Picture Porter saves photos on its compact portable hard drive, so you don’t have to bring heavy laptops on the road. Picture Porter takes the worry out of losing precious photos stored on easily damaged memory cards. Its built-in memory card slots let you copy and archive photos directly from any digital camera card, without the need of cumbersome cabling. With Picture Porters’ compact 20GB and 40GB hard drive versions, you’ll virtually never run out of memory card space on the road again.

Portable Digital Photo Album

With its high-capacity hard drive, you can now carry your collection of digital photos and video with you all the time right in your pocket and view them anywhere you go on Picture Porter’s bright 2" color LCD screen. With Picture Porter, you can rotate, zoom, pan your pictures, view EXIF information, and play picture slideshows for friends. You can even connect Picture Porter to a TV and share your photos and music with family and friends on a big screen in the comfort of your living room.


Works with All Media Formats

Picture Porter works with all media card formats, including CF I/II, MD, SM, MMC, SD Card, miniSD, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick, MS PRO, MS Duo, and MS PRO Duo, so you can copy and save your precious pictures directly from any digital camera memory card. You can also make yourself copies of photos taken from friend’s and family member’s digital cameras by quickly inserting their cards into Picture Porter for instant archival of special picture moments.

MP3 Player & Data Bridge

Picture Porter is also perfect as a portable MP3 and video player -- keep your entire content collection in one place for easy access. Bi-directional data transfer lets you copy files directly from any memory card to the Picture Porter hard drive and vice versa. In addition, you can easily transfer files to and from your computer and between computers with different operating systems through its high-speed USB 2 connection.


Picture Porter Features:

1. Photo and video player

2. MP3 music player

3. Archives files

4. Color LCD screen for viewing pictures and videos

5. Bi-directional data transfer that allows direct transfer to and from memory cards

6. Output to TV

7. Directly reads & writes from memory cards

8. Memory card format support of CF I/II, MD, SM, MMC, SD Card, miniSD, Memory Stick, MS PRO, MS Duo, and MS PRO Duo, and xD-Picture Card

9. Image format support of JPEG, Tiff, BMP, RAW

10. Music format support of MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV

11. Video format support of MPEG1, MPEG4, and DivX 5.x

12. Includes Ulead Video Toolbox 2 to edit video clips, create slideshows and convert video files

13. Transfers files between multiple computers running different operating systems

Compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems, Picture Porter is compact and light-weight weighing only 8.6 oz (with hard drive and battery included) with dimensions of 5.2" (L) x 2.8" (W) x 1.2" (H). It comes in 2 stylish colors: frosted white and graphite and 2 storage capacities: 20GB and 40GB. Picture Porter comes complete with Ulead management software (normally a $70 value), USB cable, video/audio cable, earphones, AC adapter, Lithium-Ion battery for 3.5 hours of video and 7.5 hours of music, remote control, carrying case, and user’s guide. It is available immediately at Digital Foci’s online store at www.digitalfoci.com starting at $359.

For more information, see the site: www.digitalfoci.com.

About Digital Foci

Digital Foci helps consumers manage and enjoy their digital content collection easily. The company enhances people’s lives by allowing them to seamlessly move digital photos, video, and music from one place to another. With Digital Foci products, consumers are able to enjoy any of their digital content on any device without ever worrying about format compatibility. Digital Foci products include digital picture frames, photo displays, storage devices, and card readers for transfer, storage, and management optimized for any setting where you choose to enjoy your digital content.

Digital Foci (pronounced "foe-sigh") is the plural form of the word "focus" and symbolizes the many distinct points where light and sound converge and diverge. It is at these digital focus points, or foci, where you view and share your digital pictures, watch your digital video, listen to your digital music, and access your digital files.

Visit Digital Foci, Inc. here



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Sony's FULL-FUNCTION POCKET-SIZED PC - Lookin' Good!

A week ago, Sony Electronics introduced the VAIO UX Micro PC. It is a device that gives full-size computer performance in a pocket-sized package. I keep looking at it and I keep saying it's "lookin' good"!

Consider this, here is a device that weighs just over a pound, uses the Microsoft XP Professional operating system and has an Intel Core Solo Ultra Low Voltage CPU for fast processing and long battery life....sounds good so far!

In addition, it has a 4.5-inch wide SVGA screen with XBRITE technology that also slides up to expose an integrated keyboard....now I really like that! So if I want to use it like a PC for text entry...I can! Of course, it has a stylus (like what we are used to using with a PDA)and it is using Sony’s VAIO touch launcher for quick access to frequently used programs....just push the launcher button located on the side of the unit and tap the program you want. Also, you can toggle between wireless WWAN, LAN and Bluetooth for access to the internet and devices you want to use.

Two built-in cameras -- one in front and one on the back(video conferencing and personal pictures), a VGA adapter and an integrated biometrics fingerprint sensor are some of the features you find as well as shock protection to protect the hard drive....this is definitely "lookin' good".

You will get a docking station with three 2.0 USB ports, Ethernet, VGA, iLink IEEE-1394 interface and an AV output all for about $1,800. I think this might well be a real serious contender in the market....NICE GOING SONY!

I am looking for a NEW device that will do it all for me as I continue to Experience Mobility.....the Sony VAIO® UX Micro PC is definitely "Lookin' Good"!

Microsoft Vista - Beta 2 Messaging

Top Messaging

Today Microsoft is announcing the release of Windows Vista Beta 2 and Windows Server “Longhorn” Beta 2, along with the release of 2007 Microsoft Office System Beta 2. This is a significant milestone in Microsoft’s history, as it is the first time they have released the beta versions of all three of the company’s flagship products simultaneously.

Top Messaging Getting Windows Vista Beta 2

Our enterprise customers will start experiencing Windows Vista Beta 2 today via the Customer Technology Preview (CTP) channels. In June we’ll also make the beta available for public download so that technology enthusiasts can take an early look at the product.

Beta 2 Messaging•
As promised in March, we’re excited to announce that today we’re delivering on a major milestone in the development of Windows Vista with the release of Windows Vista beta 2.

• Beta 2 is available now to developers and IT professionals who are subscribers to MSDN or TechNet, as well as to members of the Technology Adoption Program (TAP) and the TechBeta program. Beta 2 will also be more broadly available to additional developers and IT professionals, as well as consumer technology enthusiasts, in the coming weeks as part of the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program (CPP).

• With the release of Windows Vista beta 2, we have focused on improving the experience, reliability and overall quality of Windows Vista for both enterprise and enthusiast audiences, providing a more complete and productive testing environment for customers.

a. Enterprise Call to Action for beta 2: We are encouraging enterprises to continue testing Windows Vista for deployment via the beta 2 build, as well as to download the new Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0, and to provide feedback on the enhanced features, such as search/organize capabilities, mobility enhancements, and improvements to application compatibility and deployment.

b. Consumer Call to Action for beta 2: We are encouraging consumer technology enthusiasts to utilize the Windows Vista Upgrade advisor to test their PCs’ ability to run Windows Vista Beta 2. If the PCs are capable, enthusiasts can obtain Windows Vista Beta 2 via the CPP program and begin experiencing the new premium consumer features, such as Windows Media Player 11, enhancements to Media Center, new photo capabilities, and enhanced organizational tools. (More details on the CPP program will be available in the coming weeks.)

• In addition, Windows Vista beta 2 brings new opportunities for developers and IHVs to begin building software/hardware that will bring compelling and differentiated value to customers

a. Developer Call to Action for beta 2: With Windows Vista beta 2, we are encouraging developers to continue testing their applications for compatibility, start building gadgets or prototyping applications, and get up to speed on improvements to WinFX.

b. IHV Call to Action for beta 2: With this build, we are encouraging our hardware partners to ramp up their driver development teams and engage in driver development.

Find out more here on Windows Vista beta 2



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Samsung Electronics Launches the World's First PCs with NAND Flash-based Solid State Disk

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., will release the world's first PCs embedded with a 32-Gigabyte (GB) NAND flash-based solid state disk (SSD). This marks the first time that NAND flash has moved into a commercial mobile computing application and is a breakthrough that will pave the way for replacing hard disk drives with NAND flash-based memory disks.

The Samsung Q1, an ultra-mobile computing device and the Q30, a 12.1-inch screen notebook PC, will be available in the Korean market from early June.

The two new SSD-enabled PC offerings are designed for optimal portability and resolve many of the traditional challenges of mobile computers. The data in flash memory are much more secure against external shocks that can occur when transporting a mobile computer. The SSD can withstand about twice the impact that would cripple a regular hard disk drive. In addition, stored data can be more easily retrieved from flash memory than traditional hard drives when PCs are dropped or liquid is spilled on the device. These mobile computing devices are the ideal solution for professionals and executives who are constantly on the move.

The SSD reads 300 percent faster (53MB/s) and writes 150 percent quicker (28MB/s) than normal hard drives. As a result, multiple application programs can operate simultaneously and large volumes of data can be edited and reproduced more efficiently.

The Microsoft Windows XP operating system will boot up 25-50% faster on the SSD than on other drives--good news for those in a hurry. Moreover, the typical 1.8-inch hard disk drive weighs around 50 grams; whereas the SSD is 20 to 30 grams lighter, depending on the package type.

The typical notebook PC will generate around 30dB of operating noise, while the Q30-SSD will operate in complete silence. This is an unprecedented feature for people who want to use their PC in a library or other places where noise is not allowed.

The Q1-SSD will show video or still photos as well as play audio without having to be booted up first. This "instant on" feature provides access to multimedia content such as digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) TV at least 30% faster than with a portable multimedia player (PMP).

DMB TV receivers are embedded in both PCs, which will bring extra enjoyment to users during this summer's World Cup competition.

"PC models based on solid state disks have numerous advantages over traditional hard disk-based models. These include faster booting, greater durability, quieter operation, and increased battery life. The new Q30-SSD and Q1-SSD models are only the beginning. Samsung will continue to lead the market, introducing new portable PC models that bring these benefits to both consumers and enterprise users," said Kim Hounsoo, Executive Vice President of the Computing Division of Samsung Electronics.

The retail price for the Q1-SSD will be KRW2.3 million (US$2,430), while the Q30-SSD will sell for KRW3.5 million (US$3,700).

For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.



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Do You Yahoo? - Be careful!

Jeremy Kirk from IDG News Service posted a story about an IM Worm (that) Installs Bogus Browser.

Evidently, there is a malware that you can get through Yahoo Messenger. It plays a "screeching music" and takes over your IE home page. Pretty scarty stuff!

In part, Jeremy says the following:

Instant messaging security company FaceTime Communications described the malware, which it calls "yhoo32.explr", as "insidious" in a security advisory.

When the link is clicked, a worm installs the so-called "Safety Browser," a program that leads the user to pages mined with adware and viruses, FaceTime said. The Safety Browser uses an Internet Explorer logo to make it look more legitimate.

There is a link to a blog showing screenshots but the blogger has exceeded their bandwidth so you will have to wait a bit to see the screens. You can read Jeremy's article here at PC World.

Mobility Guys Podcast #3

Today’s episode is dedicated to the topic of all mobile professionals and pantheon of mobile gear: the gear bag.

What you carry and what you carry it in.

In this show we cover what we use in our day to day travels from home to the office and for long trips away from home. Hopefully this will help you in choosing the right mobile gear that works for you and is portable enough not to drag you down.

This is our third podcast and hope that you continue to enjoy our thoughts and ideas on how we Experience Mobility. You can read the shownotes and download our podcast here at http://www.mobilityguys.com/

Let us know what you think of it and if you have thoughts on what YOU would like to hear, send us a note. ENJOY!!

MOVIES2GO

MAGIX, a worldwide leader in music and video editing software, announced today MAGIX Movies2go. Movies2go finally lets you easily transfer videos and slideshows to all your mobile devices, including portable video players (such as PlayStation Portables PSP and iPods), cell phones, PDAs, and laptops, to experience and show off your videos to friends wherever you go.

Create Your Own Mobile Entertainment Center

MAGIX Movies2go is the perfect solution for anyone that wants to create their own mobile entertainment center. Watch videos and TV shows everywhere you go – on a plane, while commuting, or even while standing in line! Movies2go lets you easily transfer and convert videos and slideshows in just a few steps into MPEG4, 3GP, and many other formats compatible with video playback devices or laptops.

With MAGIX Movies2go, you’ll always have your favorite TV shows, blockbuster videos, music videos, fun clips, and personal video recordings handy. Priced at $29.99, MAGIX Movies2go will be available in retail stores and online at www.magix.com starting on May 31st, 2006.



Includes New MAGIX Online Video Service with over 300 Free Videos

Movies2go lets you transfer videos to your mobile devices from DVD, VHS, camcorders, and the Internet. The software provides direct access to the new MAGIX Online Video Service at: www.magix-movies.com. The Magix video site allows you to download a continually updated selection of over 300 free family-friendly videos, including non-copyrighted movies, classics, silent films, documentaries, and fun video clips. You can search the Magix site for the best free videos and clips and you can also upload your own home videos to the MAGIX Online Album for free.


DVR Recording of TV Shows without Commercials –

Edit Your Home Movies

Movies2go also works like a digital video recorder (DVR). It allows you to record TV shows from the current TV schedule, edit them, and remove annoying commercials. In addition, any video, including TV shows, home movies, and Hollywood movies can be edited, shortened, and saved any way you wish for use on your mobile device, which can be filled with as much video material as possible1.


Available in retail stores and online at www.magix.com starting on May 31st, 2006, MAGIX Movies2go is priced at $29.99.

For more information, see www.magix.com



About MAGIX

MAGIX is an international provider of software, online services and digital content for the use of multimedia products and services in personal communication. MAGIX provides private and professional users with a range of technologically sophisticated and at the same time user-friendly software, online services and digital content for the design, editing, presentation and archiving of digital photos, videos and music. MAGIX’s products are principally directed at private users. Moreover, MAGIX licenses professional software to commercial users such as music producers and television and radio broadcasting companies. In 2005, based on sales of products through retail distribution of photographic, music and video software, MAGIX held a leading market position in Germany and various other European countries, and was one of the three leading market players in the USA. For more info, go to www.magix.com .


1Requires TV card


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Be Flexible - iPod TuneFlex

Griffin Technology Inc today announced that its TuneFlex dock and charger for iPod nano now comes bundled with a cassette tape adapter. The TuneFlex package now provides a complete solution for charging, mounting and playing iPod nano in an automobile. Simply plug the cassette adapter into TuneFlex's 1/8" stereo line-out jack, and slip the cassette into the auto's tape deck.

TuneFlex holds the nano in a snug cradle on a flexible steel neck that adjusts to any angle or elevation. The cradle grips the nano and rotates to stay upright and easily readable in any position, and always at the operator's fingertips.

TuneFlex plugs into any standard 12 Volt accessory outlet to power and charge the iPod even during use. A light at the base of TuneFlex's neck shows power status at a glance. TuneFlex's charging circuitry is equipped with a fuse for the iPod's protection (and the user's peace of mind).

TuneFlex is flexible at getting tunes to the car stereo, too. A built-in 1/8" stereo line-out audio jack allows direct connection to the car stereo's line-in sockets. Car stereos with cassette players can use the included cassette adapter. TuneFlex even includes a pass-through dock connector to accommodate digital iPod accessories such as Griffin's iTrip FM transmitter, AirClick remote and SmartDeck cassette adapter.


Pricing & Availability
Griffin TuneFlex, now with included cassette adapter, is priced at $49.99 and is available at www.griffintechnology.com.

About Griffin Technology
Griffin Technology has earned its reputation as the creative leader in ingenious peripherals and accessories for Mac, PC, iPod and PSP.

Find out more about Griffin's entire range of products for audio, video, USB, Firewire and more at Griffin's website: www.griffintechnology.com.

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Motorola Q is available!

Today, Motorola and Verizon announced that the highly-anticipated Windows Mobile-powered Motorola Q is available through the Verizon Wireless Web site May 31 and at Verizon Wireless retail stores nationwide starting in June.

The Q features Windows Mobile’s continued support for a full QWERTY keyboard and easy to use one-handed navigation. This all-in-one smartphone is another entry in the growing Windows Mobile-powered device family for every customer’s mobile messaging and mobile business application needs.

The Q delivers:

Increased productivity.
The Q allows customers to stay on top of their jobs and personal lives through faster access to important information and updates from Outlook Mobile. Windows Mobile supports up to eight e-mail accounts, so in addition to corporate e-mail accounts, users can receive e-mails from MSN Hotmail or POP accounts to the Motorola Q.

PC in your pocket.
Q users have the freedom to leave the office or home with constant access to e-mail, documents, calendar and tasks.

Entertainment on the go.
With the Motorola Q, music, video and recorded television content are at hand anywhere at any time.

A sleek, ultra-thin design. The Q is thinner than other smartphones on the market and sports a large color screen, QWERTY keyboard and one-hand navigation thumbwheel.

Applications to suit every need.
With more than 18,000 Windows Mobile applications currently available, including Pocket Streets and Trips, Virtual Earth Mobile, AvantGo, and Fizz Traveler, people will always be informed, educated and entertained, no matter the time or place.

You can read the story at Mobilitysite.com

What is MobiForms?

The latest release of the revolutionary mobile development tool MobiForms now includes improved networking functionality. Client-server mobile applications can be built using serial, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi or mobile phone connections interfacing to back office corporate applications like ERP and financials. MobiForms version 3.0's integrated MobiScript language includes file and data transfer commands using any given IP address and port combination with TCP/IP. Version 3.0 includes a new image object type for JPG and GIF file support. The MobiForms Developer has also been enhanced with the latest Windows look and feel.

This latest release complements the existing features in MobiForms such as signature capture, sophisticated MobiScript commands enabling bar coding, connectivity to Oracle, Sybase and IBM DB2 databases, or simple ASCII file access.

MobiForms is a rapid application development tool for building mobile applications for Tablet PC, Pocket PC, Windows CE, Windows Mobile, EPOC, Symbian and Palm based mobile computers and PDAs. MobiForms revolutionises the creation of mobile applications by reducing development time from days to minutes. With MobiForms you can develop professional applications for asset collection, field service, inspection, market research, site surveys, stock control or workshop repair, quickly and seamlessly using the intuitive MobiForms drag and drop interface and tie the data back easily to corporate systems.

MobiForms can be downloaded the MobiForms web site at www.mobiforms.com.

Intel, Microsoft Collaborate to Bring Pay-As-You-Go PCs

Microsoft(R) FlexGo(TM) Technology to be a Key Element of Intel(R) World Ahead Program

Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corp. announced that the companies will collaborate to engineer and deliver flexible, pay-as-you-go PC purchasing models for consumers in emerging markets. Intel's support of Microsoft FlexGo technology is a key part of Intel's broad World Ahead program to help speed access to uncompromised technology and education for people in developing regions around the world. The collaboration between Microsoft and Intel to implement FlexGo technology is another example of the successful joint activities the two companies have taken on in emerging markets.

The pay-as-you-go model enabled by FlexGo makes PCs more accessible by reducing the initial cost and enabling customers to pay for computers through subscriptions or as they use them, through the purchase of prepaid activation cards or tokens. Intel will provide support for the FlexGo capability initially on Intel's Discover the PC platforms tailored for people in developing regions, such as the recently introduced Intel-powered Community PC in India.

"We have a strong history of collaboration with Intel, driving innovation with the industry, making our products more accessible, and improving the lives of people in developing markets," said Will Poole, senior vice president of Microsoft's Market Expansion Group. "We are very optimistic about the results of our joint efforts, such as our collaboration with governments to promote PC ownership, and look forward to working with Intel on pay-as-you-go and subscription computing with FlexGo technology to introduce whole new groups of people to the power of technology."

"Through our World Ahead program, Intel has committed $1 billion to enhancing lives in the world's developing communities by driving progress in PC accessibility, Internet connectivity and education," said William M. Siu, vice president and general manager of Intel's Channel Platforms Group. "We are excited to work with Microsoft to implement the FlexGo technology and further equip millions of new users with the power of low-cost, full-featured PCs through a tailored financing model that fits their lives and budgets. Pay-as-you-go and subscription computing with Microsoft FlexGo technology will be a key part of Intel's portfolio of enabling efforts in developing communities in 2006 and beyond."

Intel's World Ahead Program, which extends the company's existing initiatives for developing regions, integrates Intel's efforts to enhance lives by driving progress in technology accessibility, connectivity and education. The 5-year objectives of the World Ahead Program are to extend broadband PC access to the world's next billion users while training 10 million more teachers on the use of technology in education and with the possibility of reaching another 1 billion students.

About Intel

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft and FlexGo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Intel, the Intel logo and Itanium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.


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Are You a Developer?

Resco announced the availability of Resco OutlookControls .NET v5.0, a unique collection of Microsoft Outlook style UI controls optimized for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and .NET Compact Framework.

The latest release includes:

OutlookShortcutBar – a popular shortcut control, common for all modern applications
OutlookMonthCalendar - a powerful control designed specifically for Calendar applications
OutlookDayTimePicker – a stylish version of one of the most frequently used forms controls
InkBox – an easy to use ink control suitable for quick notes or signatures

"The Microsoft Outlook style has become the basis for almost all modern business applications", says Radomir Vozar, director of Resco, Enterprise Solutions. "OutlookControls contains a set of stylish controls allowing developers to design their mobile applications with the look of Microsoft Pocket Outlook making them more attractive thanks to the standardized and easy to control UI."

To support multiplatform development, Resco OutlookControls is also available in a version optimized for.NET Framework allowing development of desktop applications.

Pricing and Availability
Resco OutlookControls v5.0 is now available. The Standard Edition is priced at $199.95, the Professional Edition at $399.95, and the Enterprise Edition at $599.95. All editions include one year of support and upgrades. A free trial version is also available.

For more information, please visit www.resco.net/developer/outlookcontrols/.
Resco OutlookControls .NET is also a part of the Resco MobileForms Toolkit, www.resco.net/developer/mobileformstoolkit/.

RESCO's World Cup Mobile 2006

World Cup Mobile 2006 - with online World Cup coverage.

Experience this year's World Cup on your Pocket PC.

Keep in touch with every match, watch online scores and results from an authorized provider, get always fresh news and commentaries right from the stadium.

Easy-to-use navigation ensures fast data access, modern design and style raise user's satisfaction.

Online Coverage:
World Cup News from an Authorized Provider
Results
Cards and Goals Statistics
Match Reports




Rich Historic Data:
Historical Statistics
Reports and Tables from all World Cup Tournaments
Portraits of Famous Players



Tournament Description:
Match Schedule
Calendar
Description of Teams
Description of Host Cities and Stadiums



Other Features
Manual Result Editing
Photo Gallery
Easy Navigation

Visit RESCO here to get your copy of World Cup Mobile 2006


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FINAL DAY: CLUB ASTRAWARE MAY-HEM

This is just a quick reminder that today is the final day of the Club Astraware May-hem sale.

Today's offers are:

Bejeweled 2 - $12.95 (usually $19.95)
Link Letters - $4.95 (usually $9.95)

These offers are available to all Club Astraware members. If you haven't joined the Club yet, why not sign up now and save some money! It only takes a couple of minutes, is free to join, and you can earn points from the games you buy which can be used as discounts against future purchases!

Visit http://www.astraware.com now to get these great offers

A new spin on vinyl! - USB Turntable

Digital music is great but isn't it a pity you can't transfer your old records on to your computer? Well guess what? You can! That's right vinyl lovers, thanks to the ingenious USB Turntable you can put all your LPs, 12"s and singles straight into your digital library.

Simply plug this chic little turntable into the nearest USB port, fire up the idiot-proof Audacity software and start converting your collection. Forget about clumsy adaptors, special drivers and mismatched software. It's easier than, er…well, it's easier than putting a record on!

It looks cool and it sure would be a neat way to transfer all those favorite records to digital.

You can find out more information here on the firebox.com website

May-hem Deals for Sunday

Astraware's May-hem sale continues with some spectacular deals. It definitely is worth looking into if you have not already.

Checkout these prices:

Chuzzle $12.95
Tip Top $4.95
Rooks Revenge $2.95

Go to the Astraware site and log in to Club Astraware (or register if you are not already a member). It's easy, it's FREE, and you will save BIG BUCKS on some terrific games.

You can visit Astraware here

Review: Cingular 8125 Pocket PC

The Cingular 8125 smartphone has been designed around a dual-core processor that bumps up the device's speed performance well beyond what one would normally expect from a 200-MHz chip.

Mark Long from Sci-Tech Today wrote a nice review on the Cingular 8125. In part, this is what Mark had to say:

The Cingular 8125 Pocket PC is a new smartphone from Taiwan-based manufacturer HTC that offers both high-speed EDGE connectivity and Wi-Fi capabilities in a stylish and compact case. Targeted at everyone from productivity-minded consumers to enterprise employees, the new Windows Mobile smartphone runs Microsoft's complete portfolio of Pocket PC software applications right out of the box.

Read what Mark had to say on the Cingular 8125 here

This is NOT mobility...it's just great!

One of our daily visitors sent this up to me to sit back, relax and enjoy. In fact it was so good, I sat back, watched and enjoyed it several times. I thought you might like it too...

The Amazing Chris Bliss

Every day, visitors from around the world take a few moments to be inspired by what may be the most watched video in Internet history. What began as a promotional presentation, by the amazing Chris Bliss, has now become a daily ritual of enjoyment and reflection for many. Watch and be inspired!

Watch this amazing presentation here

Special thanks to "JAC" for sending this tip up

Astraware's May-hem! for Saturday

Astraware's May-hem sale continues with some spectacular deals. It definitely is worth looking into if you have not already.

Go to the Astraware site and log in to Club Astraware (or register if you are not already a member). It's easy, it's FREE, and you will save BIG BUCKS on some terrific games.

You can visit Astraware here

Time Zone - v1.1

This program is for travelers and all the other persons who need to co-ordinate their time in the current location city and the other – target – city. Being a plug-in to Calendar program, Time Zone changes appointment start time so that in current city it corresponds to the time of appointment in its "target" city, which will be selected by user.

This correction provides correct displaying of appointment start time after setting of "target" city as current one in Clock program ("Start/Settings/System/Clock/Time").

Time Zone also adds supplementary text to Location property of the appointment. This gives a user the possibility to see "target" city for the appointment and it's time in this city.

Visit AleksSoft here

moBlue - a clever application

Designed for NET CF 2 nitramk brings to you a unique application that allows Incoming Bluetooth Files to be sent to a user designated folder!



I found this on MoDaCo and thought some of you might well be interested in it.

This incredible App is designed for WM5 Powered Smartphones with QVGA Screens but also requires NET CF 2 installed onto the device.

The application allows manual bluetooth control and is one which is well worth keeping.

Instructions for Use :

1. Make sure you have .NET CF 2 installed on your device.
2. Install the app by running the .cab from a file manager on the Smartphone
3. Uncheck the box "Receive incoming beams" under Settings > Conections
4. moBlue will now control all your incoming requests instead.

You can go here to MoDaCo to download this application

MSN Video - Exclusive Look at Cannes

As the only media outlet allowed inside the “Da Vinci Code” party, MSN Video debuts its coverage today and prepares to host an exclusive digital press junket with the stars of another soon-to-be summer blockbuster, “X-Men 3.”

MSN® Video is giving film lovers VIP access to the Cannes Film Festival this year with an exclusive insider’s view of the party for the premiere of “The Da Vinci Code” as well as extensive coverage of the film’s top-secret press junket. MSN Video also prepares to host the first-ever Cannes Digital Press Junket for “X-Men: The Last Stand,” which will take place in a chateau in the mountains outside of Cannes on Sunday, May 21.



MSN Video will take viewers beyond the red carpet as it debuts its exclusive video coverage from inside the premiere party for “The Da Vinci Code,” which took place last night in a space recreated to look like the famed Louvre Museum in Paris. In addition to this one-of-a-kind footage, rare interviews with the film’s cast are available from the top-secret press junket, which took place on a train from London to Cannes on Tuesday, May 16, and was attended by only a select few journalists from around the world.

In addition, MSN will host the first-ever Cannes Digital Press Junket for “X-Men: The Last Stand,” which will be moderated by the MSN Dish Diva and attended by various digital journalists. MSN will offer exclusive interviews with the film’s stars including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer and Rebecca Romijn, who will speak solely with Dish Diva during the junket.

The MSN Dish Diva will also feature daily celebrity interviews from Cannes complemented by Dish Diva’s Video Diary, a fresh, unscripted and raw look at the festival filled with attitude and personality.


The exclusive Cannes Film Festival content on MSN is available now at http://msnvideo.com/cannes.



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Standalone Device Emulator 1.0 with Windows Mobile OS Images

The Microsoft Device Emulator 1.0 is a standalone version of the same ARM based Device Emulator that ships as part of Visual Studio 2005. The standalone emulator is intended for situations when you want to demonstrate or test your application on a computer that does not have Visual Studio 2005 installed. In addition, MS is offering the Windows Mobile 5.0 MSFP operating system images that you can use with the Device Emulator.

Device Emulator 1.0 has a number of features that make it significantly better than its predecessor (the x86 emulator). You will find that it:

Runs code compiled for ARM processors rather than for x86 processors.
In most cases, you can run the same binaries on the emulator as you do on the device.

Supports synchronizing with ActiveSync.
You can use the Device Emulator with a full ActiveSync partnership. This feature allows you to debug applications that are syncing, or be able to use real synchronized data from within the Device Emulator.

Provides support for more development environments.
The emulator has been tested for developing and debugging applications with Visual Studio 2005, Visual Studio .NET 2003, and with eMbedded Visual C++ 4.0 (eVC4) SP4, all using ActiveSync. No crossover serial cable is required.

The Device Emulator supports GAPI.
You can write and debug GAPI games on the Device Emulator and expect them to work.

Download the Emulator here

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Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP

The Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows® XP. Version 1.1 software update is now available. The new version still offers the same powerful software tools for shared computers in classrooms, school computer labs, libraries, and other public places as the previous version, and also includes software updates that resolve a few known issues.

Shared computers are commonly found in schools, libraries, Internet and gaming cafés, community centers, and other locations. Often, non-technical personnel are asked to manage shared computers in addition to their primary responsibilities.

Managing shared computers can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Without restrictions, users can change the desktop appearance, reconfigure system settings, and introduce spyware, viruses, and other harmful programs. Repairing damaged shared computers costs significant time and effort.

User privacy is also an issue. Shared computers often use shared accounts that make Internet history, saved documents, and cached Web pages available to subsequent users.

The Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP provides a simple and effective way to defend shared computers from untrusted users and malicious software, safeguard system resources, and enhance and simplify the user experience. The Toolkit runs on genuine copies of Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Learn MORE and DOWNLOAD the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP here.

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Get the Windows Media Player 11 Beta

See how the upcoming version helps you manage your digital media, connect with mobile devices, and enjoy a new world of music through the integrated URGE music service

Simplicity in Design
Bring a whole new look to your digital entertainment.

More of the Music You Love
Breathe new life into your digital music experience.

All Your Entertainment in One Place
Store and enjoy all of your music, video, pictures, and recorded TV.

Enjoy Everywhere
Stay connected with your music, video, and pictures no matter where you are.

Enhance your ability to Experience Mobility...
download the Windows Media Player 11 Beta here

HP Real Estate Technology Contest

HP announced the launch of its third annual contest to recognize real estate professionals using technology to provide clients with a better and more personalized experience.


The HP Real Estate Technology Contest is open to U.S.-based real estate professionals who use technology in creative and extraordinary ways to increase sales, save time and best the competition. Applications for the contest, which runs through Aug. 30, 2006, are available online at www.hp.com/go/realtorcontest.

With technology, real estate professionals can be more productive and efficient while on the road and can even create full-color property fliers and other marketing materials tailored for their clients.

"HP provides real estate professionals with personalized and relevant mobile technologies, so they can productively serve their clients, stay ahead of the competition and focus on their business," said Lisa Hopkins, manager, vertical marketing -- Americas, HP. "The HP Real Estate Technology Contest is a fun way for us to reward real estate pros who demonstrate the benefits technology can bring to themselves and their clients."

CODE:MOTO Competition

Developers 'pull out all the stops' for Motorola competition held at JavaOne 2006.

In an ongoing quest to support excellence in mobile application development, Motorola, Inc. is proud to announce the winners of 2006//CODE:MOTO, Motorola's developer competition held at JavaOne.

2006//CODE:MOTO tested the technical agility and innovation skills of top independent developers at the event. Participants in the competition were challenged to create compelling new Java applications in one of two categories — games & multimedia and productivity.

Winners for each application category include:

Gaming & Multimedia Category

* Grand Prize — Anki Nelaturu of ExcellApps for "Boomerang," a puzzle
designed with the goal of building a bridge across a river by using a
boomerang to swipe the necessary building objects, carried by
butterflies overhead.

* Runner Up — Isaac de la Pena for "Number Place," an app consisting of
two logic-based placement puzzles from Japan.

Productivity Category

* Grand Prize — Raffaele Sena for "Fuel Meter," an application enabling
you to manage gas consumption for your vehicle.

* Runner Up — J. Selvin of Sabre for "Trip Downloader," an application
that allows users to retrieve their travel details.

All Java applications were developed for use with Motorola's iconic RAZR, PEBL and SLVR models and/or Java-enabled iDEN devices. An esteemed panel of judges featuring executives from Cingular, Electronic Arts, Fierce Wireless, Handango, Motorola and Sprint, evaluated each application and convened to select the winners.

"The winners of our 2006//CODE:MOTO competition truly embody the innovative spirit of the mobile development community — I am thrilled to recognize their achievements among industry representatives here at JavaOne," said Christy Wyatt, Vice President, Ecosystem and Market Development, Motorola Mobile Devices. "Through our new MOTODEV developer network, Motorola proudly supports mobile development activity that enables our handsets to be just as cool on the inside as they are on the outside — encouraging applications such as these that could very well become the next big thing."

Grand prize winners received a portfolio of devices — including Motorola RAZR, PEBL, SLVR, ROKR E2, A1200 and i870 — in a special edition case, a cash prize and most importantly, a shot at making their application commercially available through business and promotional opportunities.
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Check your Surf Speed

PC magazine developed SurfSpeed, and they are giving it to you for free. SurfSpeed measures your web browsing speed and gives you a number that you can compare to other SurfSpeed users. SurfSpeed is NOT a bandwidth meter it's a real world surfing speedometer.

This is a "cool" utility that you can use at home or while you are on the road...you can find out more here at PC magazine

Samsung SyncMaster 940MW Monitor

Jack M. Germain over at Mobile Tech Today wrote a review that although it is not helping me Experience Mobility, it certainly would increase my ability to enjoy my experience at home.

Although it is expensive, the SyncMaster 940MW has an impressive list of features. It is more than just a monitor, the 940MW offers the ability to connect a TV signal and display it in HD....sounds cool huh?

Jack said:

The Samsung SyncMaster 940MW brings a new level of enjoyment to multimedia viewing. Being able to incorporate computing tasks, game playing, TV shows, and movies all at the same location is a joy.

This convenience comes at a higher price than traditional widescreen LCDs, but for the multimedia aficionado, this monitor is well worth the investment.

Read Jack's entire review here at Mobile Tech Today

FIFA World Cup Mobile Application

For the first time in the history of the World Cup football fans will be able to follow the World Cup on their phones through a rich graphical experience. After a free mobile download from the official FIFA World Cup site, users will be able to follow every match with real time play-by-play information, live commentary, up to the second scores, and football news. Something free? I can’t believe it but its true.

This download is branded Yahoo!’s Mobile MatchCast and is powered by Everypoint, a studio for mobile sports content getting a lot of buzz these days. A preview of the application is available from the official FIFA World Cup web site, www.fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/m . and the sneak peeks of the application can be found at www.everypoint.com/yahoo.

With an expected 6 billion page impressions for the Yahoo! FIFA World Cup mobile page alone, some believe the World Cup promises to be the greatest opportunity yet to convert the massive global Internet audience to the use of supporting mobile services and applications.

According to sources, the service will go live on May 28th with the latest team updates and regular news feeds from FIFA, whilst scores and live commentary will update throughout the tournament.

First VoIP Solution for Palm OS

MantraGroup Inc., a leading provider of mobile software solutions, has announced mobiVoIP, the first VoIP solution targeted for Palm OS Devices.

VoIP, or Voice over IP (pronounced 'voyp'), is a new technology that enables making phone calls over the Internet. With VoIP technology, the phone call is routed through the internet and gets terminated to a PSTN or other VoIP client. Instead of passing the telephone call to a telephone operator, it uses the existing Internet connection and thereby provides cost savings on phone bills.

mobiVoIP requires the Palm device to be able to connect to the Internet through Bluetooth, WiFi (802.11), or EVDO. It allows the user to place telephone calls directly from the PDA thus expanding PDA’s capabilities to be used as a converged device.
“We are the first company to release a VoIP solution for Palm OS. We are confident that mobiVoIP will truly change the way we use our Palm devices.” says Manohar Chapalamadugu, CEO of MantraGroup.

mobiVoIP is offered as a monthly service with various calling plans designed for North America and other countries. More information on the plans can be obtained from http://www.mobivoip.net/.

Download: mobiVoIP is available for download at http://www.mobivoip.net/.

“Free” Updates: MantraGroup provides free software updates for registered users. Also, updates can be received and installed Over the Air (OTA) directly from the device.

About the company:
MantraGroup (http://www.mantragroup.com) is a solutions and services company focusing on development of software for wireless PDAs and cutting edge smartphones. The company is very well known for its Wireless IM product, Causerie Unified Messenger.

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World Cup Football Fun For Your Phone

8 Bit Games launched www.planyourworldcup.com a brand new site for mobile phone owners, which puts the whole world cup in the palm of your hand.

Visit the site and you can download World Cup 2006 Planner, which gives you the latest news, results, odds, facts and background on every single team, group and match in the tournament – updated LIVE and right in the palm of your hand.

PLUS we're GIVING AWAY world cup themed wallpapers for your phone as well as running the World Cup 2006 Planner competition, where there are iPods, footballs and team shirts to be won if you can predict the final 16 and then teams for the final itself.

World Cup 2006 Planner does everything you normally need a wall planner, a TV guide, a night down the pub and an expert commentary team to do.
Forget waiting for the newspaper, logging onto the Internet or putting up with the TV – World Cup 2006 Planner delivers everything you could possibly need to know about the tournament, right to your phone. Wherever you are and whenever you want.

With World Cup 2006 Planner on your phone you have the TIMES AND LOCATIONS of every match in the tournament. Keep track of YOUR TEAM as they progress through the competition. You can get the LATEST NEWS delivered straight to your mobile. See the RESULTS as they happen – and how they affect the team standings and groups. Download the latest BETTING ODDS straight from the bookies. Check out the FACTS AND BACKGROUND on every team in the competition. Use World Cup 2006 Planner to find out WHAT IF the results happened differently – what would it take to put Germany back in the final? What happens if Brazil crash out in the second round? World Cup Planner can tell you everything.

Downloading World Cup 2006 Planner is easy. Visit www.planyourworldcup.com to see a demo of the Planner in action, download the free wallpapers to your mobile and grab the planner.

Or you can download World Cup 2006 Planner from your phone by texting 'go world' to 60300 to pay by premium rate SMS. Alternatively you can pay for World Cup Planner by Credit Card or using the widely popular PayPal system.

World Cup 2006 Planner costs only £4.50 to download. There's NO subscription we won't sign you up to anything. Promise.

Dave Vout, the Business Development Manager of 8 Bit Games, said, “World Cup 2006 Planner is like traveling with your own personal team of experts, commentators, pundits, journalists and mates – except you don't have to buy them drinks or pay for them on the bus. Your mobile phone can now tell you everything about this year's competition: the latest up to the minute news, the next match your team plays in, the group standings, the latest odds and even lets you play with the results to see what might have been, or what could happen later in the tournament. It puts everything you could ever want to know, straight in the palm of your hand and makes sure you don't miss a second of the tournament or the latest breaking news story. Whether you're in the office, on the bus, in the bath or down the pub, you're always in touch with the latest action. PLUS we're giving away free wallpapers to everyone who visits the site AND running competitions to give away iPods, football gear and other cool prizes.”

Visit www.planyourworldcup.com for more information on the planner, a demo of the planner in action, FREE mobile phone wallpaper and the chance to enter the World Cup Competition.

About 8 Bit Games
Formed in 2003 by Adam Tween, Stefan Hopper and Dave Vout, 8Bit Games Ltd is a high profile developer of mobile entertainment, based in London, United Kingdom.

8Bit's directors are all long-established veterans of the PC and console development community, having brought to market chart-topping titles for the past 20 years: From the yester-years of the BBC Micro, through to the present-day Playstation2, Gameboy Advance, Gamecube and Xbox.

The company's mission is to use its expertise to bring top-class brands to the wireless marketplace, in the way of exciting, challenging, highly playable mobile games.

8Bit Games produces games for some of the world's most prolific publishers and IP holders. 2006 is set to be another year of expansion, with new facilities and greater opportunities for both new and existing IP development, and there has never been a better time to get brands on display in what is turning out to be the fastest developing new sector for increasing brand awareness (not to mention improving the cashflow).

If you are a brand owner or publisher interested in working with 8Bit Games, or if you just want to know more about opportunities on mobile, please visit the services or contact pages on www.8bitgames.co.uk to find out how to get in touch. Aggregators are invited to contact the respective publishers of our games.

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The May-hem Continues!

Astraware's May-hem sale is continuing with some spectacular deals. It definitely is worth looking into if you have not already.

Go to the Astraware site and log in to Club Astraware (or register if you are not already a member). It's easy, it's FREE, and you will save BIG BUCKS on some terrific games.



One of todays May-hem selections is Tradewinds where you build your empire through swashbuckling sea combat and trade, choose from 4 different characters to play, travel to Far Eastern ports and buy goods, plan your trading strategy but don't get caught with contraband, increase your fleet to battle the pirates and protect your goods, and finally amass enough gold to retire.

Sounds pretty cool don't you think! For $9.95 you will have a lot of fun.

You can visit Astraware here

Do you know what this is?

Let me give you a hint...think New York then think fruit

Not enough?
It represents the NEW APPLE Store in New York City Grand Opening

When the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue opens, it will stay open 24/7/365!

I think they want to follow the tradition of L.L.Bean

To celebrate their new store, they are giving away an amazing new MacBook every hour for 24 hours straight. And the first 2,500 customers receive a commemorative T-shirt. Please join us Friday, for the first of many all-nighters.

The Apple Store, Fifth Avenue is located at 767 Fifth Avenue at 59th Street.

Check out the picture of the store here and read what Marguerite Reardon from CNET had to say in her article: Apple takes wraps off fancy flagship store



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Statement to "The XM Nation"

The following is the text of a statement from the folks at XM Radio.

Everything we've done at XM since our first minute on the air is about giving you more choices. We provide more channels and music programming than any other network. We play all the music you want to hear including the artists you want to hear but can't find on traditional FM radio. And we offer the best radios with the features you want for your cars, homes, and all places in between.

We've developed new radios -- the Inno, Helix and NeXus -- that take innovation to the next level in a totally legal way. Like TiVo, these devices give you the ability to enjoy the sports, talk and music programming whenever you want. And because they are portable, you can enjoy XM wherever you want.

The music industry wants to stop your ability to choose when and where you can listen. Their lawyers have filed a meritless lawsuit to try and stop you from enjoying these radios.

They don't get it. These devices are clearly legal. Consumers have enjoyed the right to tape off the air for their personal use for decades, from reel-to-reel and the cassette to the VCR and TiVo.

Our new radios complement download services, they don't replace them. If you want a copy of a song to transfer to other players or burn onto CDs, we make it easy for you to buy them through XM + Napster.

Satellite radio subscribers like you are law-abiding music consumers; a portion of your subscriber fee pays royalties directly to artists. Instead of going after pirates who don't pay a cent, the record labels are attacking the radios used for the enjoyment of music by consumers like you. It's misguided and wrong.

We will vigorously defend these radios and your right to enjoy them in court and before Congress, and we expect to win.

Thank you for your support.

Voice Your Support!
Send XM Radio a note in support.....if you care to, tell them Experience Mobility sent you!

When you click on the link, choose Other Categories, General XM Questions and Comments
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A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words

The picture says it all! If you don't have Verizon.....No "Q" for you!

I was "sorta" psyched on the "Q" but I like using a variety of devices so a SIM card is what I need to fit the way I Experience Mobility. Too bad!!

As an aside, Motorola chief executive officer Ed Zander has indicated that the device likely would become available in the coming weeks....
I wonder how many ?

But just in case you do use Verizon and the "Q" is in your plans, why not venture over here to get a little more information.

What is your take? Would you switch providers just to use the "Q"?

JBenchmark Pro Beta

JBenchmark Pro, the ultimate mobile benchmark, measures Jave ME user experience and performance with real content.

Kishonti Informatics has announced availability of the beta version of JBenchmark Pro, the application performance and user experience benchmark for mobile Java (Java ME) devices. In developing the release, Kishonti partnered with leading companies like Aplix, Intel, Motorola, NVidia, SavaJe and Tao Group through its JBenchmark Development Program. JBenchmark Pro also meets growing demand from mobile network operators, developers and consumers for true Java ME performance, compatibility and usability measurements. The final version of the software will be released this summer.

JBenchmark Pro is not just a benchmark, it's a testing environment for mobile devices, which can be easily extended in the future by adding new test plugins. Thanks to its modular structure customised test suites can be created in minutes. The official JBenchmark Pro suite comes with 40 different subtests packaged into several Test Groups.

User experience benchmarking

With JBenchmark Pro, Kishonti Informatics has extended its benchmarking aktivities to include usability and user experience measurements for mobile Java devices. The User Experience Test Group measures many features, including application startup, battery life and multimedia and file system load times, which are important and sometimes neglected features determining user experience and consumer loyalty.

Real world application performance

JBenchmark Pro not just simulates application patterns but contains full featured application engines with graphics and logic included. The Composite Test Group contains seven different application benchmarks including 2D and 3D games, business charts, image manipulaton and geographical mapping using vector graphics.

Graphical bottlenecks

JBenchmark Pro includes separate High Level and Low Level Graphics Test Groups to help manufacturers and developers finding graphical bottlenecks in Java ME implementations. These tests concentrate on 2D and 3D rendering issues minimizing CPU workload on hardware accelerated platforms.

CPU benchmarks

As mobile applications get more complex, consumers need more CPU power and effective Java virtual machine technology. The CPU and Logic tests help to estimate processing power by running computationally intensive algorythms such as chess game, shortest route search, image processing, zip compression and decompression, xml processing, game physics, financial and statistical calculations.

System analytics

Beyond performance and usability tests JBenchmark Pro includes a very detailed System Analytics module which checks compatibilites with all known Java ME application programming interfaces (APIs), media formats and other hidden implementation features.

JBenchmark Pro is currently available in beta version. Those interested in trying the beta software should visit JBenchmark here. General availability is scheduled for the summer of 2006.

About Kishonti Informatics:
Kishonti Informatics specialises in mobile gaming, graphics performance measurement and development tools. Its popular JBenchmark test suites let network operators, developers and consumers measure and compare the strengths and limits of more than 600 mobile phones and PDAs. DIGY

The JBenchmark result database available here.

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Wireless Broadband Innovation Award

Symbol Technologies Wins the Category for Innovation in Wireless Security Management.

Symbol Technologies, Inc. announced that they have been awarded Best Innovation in Wireless Security Management for its Mobility Services Platform (MSP) at the prestigious Wireless Broadband Innovation Awards 2006. Symbol was short-listed in three other categories as well; Best VoIP Product, Best Enterprise Wi-Fi Product and Best Enterprise Deployment (Government Organizations) highlighting its expertise in the wireless market.

The awards presentation, attended by over 300 guests, took place at the Café Royal in London yesterday evening. The independent awards are for users and service providers of wireless broadband worldwide, and recognize the success of those companies leading the way in the wireless market. With more than 150 companies entering in 2006 they, are the most respected and sought after wireless awards in the UK.

The criteria that products were judged on for the Innovation in Wireless Security Management category included intrusion protection, identification and combating of rogue access points, innovation in wireless security management and usability of the solution proving Symbol's excellence in this market. This award is a real endorsement of Symbol's position as a recognized leader in providing mobility products and solutions that keep people connected to business applications and processes both inside and outside the workplace, helping to improve their efficiency and productivity.

"This is recognition of the highest order for our mobility software," said Angelo Lamme, senior product marketing manager EMEA, who collected the award on behalf of Symbol Technologies. "Our goal is to provide a single point of control for mobile devices, mobile applications and wireless network infrastructure in order to enable our customers to have secure access to real-time information whilst protecting their wireless assets. It is great to receive this award and be short-listed for so many, as it provides further validation that our customers have made the right choice in Symbol Technologies."

Symbol's Mobility Services Platform (MSP) provides an unprecedented single point of control for mobile devices, mobile applications and wireless network infrastructure. End-to-end visibility delivers the power to quickly and easily deploy, monitor, track and transition all devices, as well as the information required to rapidly resolve end user device, application and network issues.

You can visit Symbol here

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World’s Smallest 8-Megapixel Image Sensor

World’s Smallest 8-Megapixel Image Sensor from Micron Technology Packs Ultra-fast Picture Taking and High Definition Video

The world of digital cameras just got bigger and smaller at the same time. Using a tiny 1.75-micron pixel design, Micron Technology, Inc., has built the world’s first 8-megapixel image sensor in a 1/2.5-inch optical format, the standard size for mainstream digital cameras. This new sensor comes loaded with features and functionality that will catapult Micron-equipped cameras into the next generation of digital cameras featuring high-resolution still images, ultra-fast image capture and vibrant high-definition video.

The company today unveiled a prototype of an 8-megapixel image sensor that packs a punch with incredible capture rates at full resolution and stunning high-definition (HD) video capture. Because of its high resolution, the sensor captures large, crisp pictures (11-inch by 14-inch) or can be used to zoom-in and print just a portion of the image without sacrificing image quality.

Used in continuous-shot mode for digital still cameras, the sensor is capable of bursting more than 10 pictures a second at full 8-megapixel resolution and more than 30 pictures a second at 2-megapixel resolution. With this high speed capability, it is now possible to capture that perfect moment like a child’s first soccer goal. Also given its high-speed, the sensor allows for cameras to have advanced features like image stabilization for reducing the effect of blurred images typically caused by jittery hands and fast auto-focus response, resulting in sharper images that are important for taking those priceless, spontaneous snapshots.

The sensor also enables a digital camera to capture and playback HD video, which equates to shooting video at 30 frames per second (fps) in 720p (progressive) format. As such, it complements Micron’s 5-megapixel image sensor that also supports HD video and is currently shipping in volume.

“As the world’s leading supplier of image sensor solutions, we continue to expand the envelope, bringing new experiences and advanced functionality to digital photography,” said Steve Appleton, Micron chairman, CEO and president.

Additionally, continuing its heritage in imaging innovation, Micron announced its work on a 1.4-micron pixel and unveils pictures taken with test chip. By shrinking pixel size, Micron will bring more resolution to consumer devices such as digital cameras and mobile phones without sacrificing image quality, while still maintaining the small form factor required for these applications.

“With the 8–megapixel image sensor being designed with our latest 1.75-micron pixel, and the encouraging results we’re seeing with the next-generation smaller pixel at 1.4-microns, Micron leads the industry in both smaller and higher performance image sensors, enabling our customers to create new and exciting camera products,” said Bob Gove, vice president of Micron Technology’s imaging group.

Micron Unleashes New Class of Image Sensors for High-End Camera Phones

In camera phones, where space is at a premium and image quality is traditionally negligible, Micron’s 8-megapixel image sensor could revolutionize the market. As high-end mobile phones trend larger with more features and functionalities designed into the handset, Micron’s new 8-megapixel image sensor becomes an attractive fit. And with the new 1.75-micron pixel design, Micron continues to enable the industrial design of today’s popular thin and slim phones while increasing the resolution. For example, given the standard 1/4-inch optical format of today’s mobile phones, a sensor built on Micron’s 1.75-micron pixel can deliver a 3-megapixel resolution, without changing the handset’s form factor.

Availability & Pricing
General customer sampling is planned for the fall of 2006 with mass production expected in the first half of 2007. The 8-megapixel pricing will be determined at the time of general customer sampling. DIGY

Micron’s CMOS image sensor portfolio offers designers of virtually every image-capture application the flexibility, speed, resolution, feature set, and innovative thinking to develop high-quality products. Micron’s portfolio of CMOS image sensors are used in a variety of applications that span the mobile, consumer, medical, automotive, commercial, industrial and high-speed markets. Additional information about Micron Imaging can be found at http://www.micron.com/products/imaging.

About Micron
Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit www.micron.com.

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EmailTreo - a "real bargain"!

Push Email Solution by Everyone.net and ChatterEmail Snags LAPTOP Magazine Editors' Choice Award and Mobile Download of the Month

LAPTOP Magazine Declares EmailTreo Offering a ''Real Bargain'' For Palm OS-Based Treo Users

Everyone.net, a leading provider of private-label email services for businesses, individuals and service providers, and ChatterEmail, the innovative email program for Palm OS-based Treo smartphones, announced that EmailTreo has been awarded LAPTOP Magazine's prestigious Editors' Choice Award and Mobile Download of the Month, citing the solution as a "real bargain" for Treo users. The award was announced and published in the June 2006 issue of LAPTOP Magazine, on sale 5/16/06.

"What makes BlackBerry stand apart is 'push' functionality, having the device always on and always polling your inbox to buzz your pocket with every new message. Nokia, Microsoft, and others are all working on their own BlackBerry killers, but EmailTreo's simple and dirt-cheap ($1.66 per month) solution for the Treo is a very attractive alternative for those of us without an IT department," according to the LAPTOP. "EmailTreo handles attachments almost flawlessly... and is a real bargain for Treo users who want that CrackBerry buzz without the cost."

"The Editors' Choice designation validates the need for our combined push email offering, citing its comprehensive range of features, easy management, and cost that's affordable for everyone," explained Michael Rose, CEO of Everyone.net. "This LAPTOP review highlights many of the outstanding advantages that EmailTreo service delivers over other solutions available today. Add on the extremely competitive price point, EmailTreo comes out a clear winner."

EmailTreo

EmailTreo delivers an extremely powerful push email service for Palm Powered Treo Smartphones series including the Treo 600, 650 and 700p at a cost everyone can afford. As a result, real-time mobile email is no longer confined to companies with IT staffs and big budgets, but accessible for small and medium businesses as well as individual users. With EmailTreo, users get email instantly on their Treo in the same way they appear on their desktop -- instantly and automatically -- and remain continuously synchronized with their Web Mail and desktop applications including Outlook and Thunderbird.

Extremely simple to set up and use, an EmailTreo account is configured directly from within ChatterEmail+(TM) on the Treo handset and is provided free for 6 month ($1.75 per month thereafter). ChatterEmail+ is purchased separately for a one time license of $39.95 after a free 30 day trial period. The combined solution is significantly less costly than other push email offerings that have far fewer features. EmailTreo can be set up in less than one minute, requiring neither IT assistance nor troublesome software plug-ins.

Pricing and availability

EmailTreo service is Free for the first six months ($1.75 per month thereafter) and requires a one-time license of $39.95 for ChatterEmail+. EmailTreo can be obtained in one of three ways: 1) Users with existing Treos running Palm OS can get EmailTreo by downloading the award-winning ChatterEmail+ directly from their Treo smartphone by pointing their browser to http://offer.emailtreo.com. 2) By downloading ChatterEmail+ available at http://www.emailtreo.com and hot syncing the application to their Treo. Or, 3) By purchasing a new Treo 650 directly from Palm, which includes ChatterEmail on a 64 megabyte SD card - a $70 combined value-at no additional cost. Businesses or individuals wanting mobile push email for their own domain can host their mail with Everyone.net for $4 per user per month. Usage requires cellular data service, which is the responsibility of the user. DIGY

About Everyone.net

Based in San Jose, California, Everyone.net (http://www.everyone.net) offers highly reliable, secure, hosted email solutions for businesses, service providers, and individuals. The company's mission is to provide the advantages of carrier-class email without the expense or complexity, thus enabling customers to focus on what they do best. The company's fully customizable email solutions are built on a highly scalable infrastructure, and include advanced services such as IMAP and push email as well as anti-spam and virus protection. Having provisioned over 30 million mailboxes for over 300,000 domains, Everyone.net has been reliably delivering email solutions around the world since 1998.

About ChatterEmail

ChatterEmail (http://www.chatteremail.com) is a leading provider of real time ("push") email applications for the Palm OS based Treo smartphone series. ChatterEmail's innovative email client securely supports IMAP, POP, and Exchange email servers without the need for a third party server or desktop redirector. ChatterEmail+ was voted "Favorite Email Application for the Treo" by readers of TreoCentral.com in April 2006.

About LAPTOP Magazine

LAPTOP-Mobile Solutions for Business & Life celebrates the infusion of mobile technology into our daily lives. LAPTOP delivers hands-on product reviews, objective comparisons, groundbreaking coverage of the latest tech trends, and insightful interviews with industry leaders. With page after page of the latest mobile gear for work and play, including notebooks, smart phones, handhelds, Wi-Fi, digital cameras, MP3 players, projectors, and more, LAPTOP continuously provides business travelers, IT professionals, and mobile enthusiasts with the information needed to stay connected effortlessly. LAPTOP and its special issues are published by Bedford Communications, Inc. http://www.laptopmag.com

For the full LAPTOP review online, please visit here


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Win $100,000 - Play A Game!

Verizon FiOS Shatters Speed Limit; Launches Online Game Experience That Demonstrates the Power of Its Advanced Fiber-to-the-Premises Network

In the first of a series of major initiatives that will shatter barriers to fun on the Internet in a unique way, Verizon has teamed with Valve(R) to create the FiOS Grand Tournament, an online PC game tournament of unprecedented scope. The FiOS Grand Tournament will end with one skillful player winning $100,000 - one of the largest prizes ever for a single winner of a tournament of this kind.

"By providing super-fast broadband connections for both downloading and uploading, Verizon FiOS Internet service creates great home entertainment experiences by shattering the limits we've come to accept - limits such as speed and bandwidth that get in the way of fun," said Brian Angiolet, director of marketing for Verizon FiOS. "What better way to demonstrate that than by creating unprecedented online experiences - like the FiOS Grand Tournament - that rely heavily on broadband connectivity and speed to maximize fun."

Adds Doug Lombardi, Director of Marketing for Valve: "Verizon FiOS Internet is an ideal solution for Steam customers looking to push the limits of their online gaming experience."

In coming weeks, Verizon will launch a series of additional initiatives that will enable consumers to experience the Internet without limitations - something only Verizon FiOS can offer. These will include Verizon FiOS experiences in video games, fashion and live events.

The FiOS Grand Tournament will bring together the best in class of the interactive entertainment sector. Valve, creator of best-selling PC game franchises Half-Life and Counter Strike(TM) will provide tournament entrants free access to its new, highly acclaimed Half-Life 2: Deathmatch PC game for the tournament beginning May 17.

Beyond demonstrating the advantages of the speed and enormous download and upload capacity of Verizon FiOS Internet service, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch will showcase the ease of Steam, Valve's direct platform for digital content delivery.

Verizon offers FiOS high-speed broadband service over its new, advanced fiber optic network in parts of 16 states - a network that brings the power of fiber all the way to the home. With maximum download connections of up to 30 megabits-per-second (Mbps), and upload connections of up to 5 Mbps, FiOS provides gamers with the speed they need to compete. Although users of any Internet service can play in the tournament, finalists will face off live on the Verizon FiOS Internet service, experiencing its breakthrough speed, capacity and fun.

About Verizon FiOS Grand Tournament

Managed by the Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL), the FiOS Grand Tournament officially starts May 17 when players can begin downloading Half-Life 2: Deathmatch from Valve's Steam service located at http://www.steamgames.com. Players will then be able to register at http://www.fiosgrand.com and begin practicing until June 15.

Tournament play will begin on June 15 and the top 64 players will be ranked according to the CAL's official ladder ranking system, until only eight players remain. Those eight players will then face-off in a dramatic head-to-head tournament that culminates with one winner fragging their way to the $100,000 prize. DIGY

More information about the tournament and its rules will be available online at http://www.fiosgrand.com.


About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.

About Valve

Valve is an entertainment software and technology company founded in 1996 and based in Bellevue, Washington. The company's portfolio of entertainment properties includes Half-Life(R), Counter-Strike(TM), Day of Defeat(R), and Team Fortress(R). Valve's catalog of products accounts for over 20 million retail units sold worldwide, and over 80% of the PC online action market. In addition, Valve is a developer of leading-edge technologies, such as the Source(TM) game engine and Steam, a broadband platform for the delivery and management of digital content. For more information, please visit http://www.valvesoftware.com.

About Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 has been named Game of the Year by over 35 publications and sold over 4 million retail units worldwide. Powered by Source(TM), Half-Life 2 features the most sophisticated in-game characters ever witnessed, advanced AI, stunning graphics and physical gameplay. For more information, please visit http://www.half-life2.com.

About CPL and CAL

The Cyberathlete Professional League(R) (CPL) is the most recognized name in professional computer game competitions. Launched in 1997, the CPL is also the world's first professional video games league. For more information visit http://www.thecpl.com.

The Cyberathlete Amateur League (CAL) is the CPL's online division, has 400,000 registered members and hosts year-round online tournaments. For more information visit http://www.caleague.com.



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Source Code for Adding Wi-Fi Connectivity to Mobile Devices Released

Boingo Open Source Initiative Generates Widespread Industry Support; Company Releases Source Code for Adding Wi-Fi Connectivity to Mobile Devices to Rave Reviews from a Wide Range of Wi-Fi Ecosystem Participants

Boingo Wireless, the world's leading wholesale Wi-Fi aggregator, announced the launch of its new open source Wi-Fi toolkit, which is garnering support from all levels of the Wi-Fi industry -- from chipset manufacturers to service providers.

The open source Boingo Embedded Wi-Fi Toolkit is publicly available to developers who can port it to any device operating system with no license fees, as long as improvements to the core toolkit are available to the open source community. (See separate press release.) It is also available under a commercial license that eliminates the need to republish open source changes.

The following companies have expressed their support for Boingo's announcement:
Accton

"Boingo's embedded architecture toolkit is very powerful and versatile and enables Accton to easily customize our Wi-Fi solutions for different brands and Wi-Fi service operators, providing quick time to market," said Dr. Ken Lu, Accton's Senior Executive.

BridgePort Networks

"Providing seamless public hot spot authentication between the mobile and Wi-Fi worlds is a key element to the success of fixed-mobile convergence applications," said Sanjay Jhawar, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, BridgePort Networks. "By leveraging Boingo's Embedded Wi-Fi Toolkit, BridgePort Networks' MobileVoIP applications will be more rapidly deployed by service providers and embedded within new dual-mode devices, fostering greater adoption of FMC in mobile and IMS networks."

Broadcom

"Boingo's Wi-Fi Toolkit allows consumers to quickly and easily connect a Wi-Fi phone to a hot spot by eliminating the sign-on and payment step for hot spot connectivity," said Monika Gupta, Product Marketing Manager, Broadcom's Consumer VoIP Line of Business. "The open source nature of Boingo's toolkit allows Broadcom a great deal of flexibility in the development process, which will ultimately result in a better end product that is easy for consumers to use."

Devicescape

"Boingo's open source initiative is another step forward in making it more efficient to create digital multimedia devices that deliver voice and video services over Wi-Fi," said Glenn Flinchbaugh, Vice President of Marketing for Devicescape. "This contribution combined with Devicescape's recent Advanced Datapath Driver contribution to the Linux 2.6 kernel will continue to drive the proliferation of service-enabled devices that share entertainment and information wirelessly."

E28

"Using the open source license for porting the code to our smartphones allows us to enhance the feature set of our phones without adding incremental costs that we have to pass through to carrier customers," said Michael Chu, Vice President of Marketing and Chief Software Architect of E28 Limited, a pioneer in Linux-based smartphones.

GANAG

"Wireless VoIP is an exciting opportunity for our European hotels because it provides a valuable guest amenity that allows guests to cut their expensive long-distance cellular costs," said Achim Moehrlein, Chief Executive Officer of GANAG (GlobalAirNet AG, Munich, Germany), one of the leading WISPs in the hotel field. "We see great potential also for our other location partners (e.g., airports or hospitals), and customers in this technology and will work with Boingo to make it happen."

iBAHN

"Wireless VoIP provides a great complement to cell phones for business travelers staying at a hotel, who often complain that the cell signal is too weak inside their rooms," said Brett Molen, Chief Technology Officer of iBAHN. "iBAHN's unique network for high-end hotels facilitates the ability to prioritize voice traffic. We are collaborating with Boingo to enable the iBAHN network and Boingo-enabled handsets to work together to continue to improve the quality of the guest experience. As these handsets proliferate, the hotel operator can demonstrate increased value of the network and potentially improve guest satisfaction by supporting alternative communications technologies in the hotel."

Kineto

"The availability of Boingo's device software via open source licensing helps extend UMA service delivery to hot spots worldwide," said Ken Kolderup, Vice President of Marketing for Kineto. "Mobile operators deploying UMA to offer subscribers high-performance, low-cost voice, data and IMS services in homes and offices can now increase their opportunity by embracing the rapidly growing global market for public WLANs."

Kyocera Wireless Corp.

"Our BREW-based dual-mode prototype phone uses Boingo's toolkit to enable global Wi-Fi roaming. It makes for a very powerful demonstration to carrier customers looking for a flexible solution for capitalizing on Wi-Fi usage in a handset," said Tom Maguire, Vice President of Global Marketing at Kyocera Wireless Corp.

Microsoft

"Boingo's new Wi-Fi Toolkit can help developers enhance UMA and IMS applications on Windows Mobile-powered devices to easily find and connect to Boingo's worldwide network of hot spots," said Jonas Hasselberg, Group Product Manager in the Mobile and Embedded Devices Group at Microsoft. "Windows Mobile offers a consistent and flexible development platform and familiar tools to help developers take advantage of opportunities such as this to offer more options for an increasingly mobile workforce."

Priority Networks, Inc.

"Business travelers at conventions are extremely busy and place a high value on convenience. Expanding the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices will increase their ability to stay connected with their business while attending conventions and trade shows, driving increased productivity for these end users," said Dan Poirier, President of Priority Networks, Inc.

StayOnline

"The convergence of Wi-Fi and cellular networks has long been noted as the inevitable direction for voice traffic. With Boingo's solution, this technology will open doors for better, clearer, faster communications, and a better overall guest experience," said StayOnline Chief Executive Officer Antonio DiMilia.

Taproot Systems

"As wireless carriers develop their Wi-Fi strategies, it is important that applications for smartphones are both easy to use and allow for seamless network authentication and roaming," said TapRoot CEO Hugh Thomas. "Increasingly, TapRoot Systems is being asked to support commercial Wi-Fi on the Symbian platform. With TapRoot's implementation of Boingo's Smartphone client, the time from concept to market launch has now been dramatically reduced."

Boingowifitool.sourceforge.net

The open source release announced today is a complete solution that handles all of the connectivity activities (detect, connect, authenticate, log out and disconnect) needed for a handset to use a Wi-Fi network. It can be configured to automatically authenticate at Boingo's network of more than 45,000 hot spots around the world, allowing users to capitalize on the performance gains of Wi-Fi while carriers and MVNOs leverage the cost savings of the unlicensed spectrum. The software employs proprietary power-saving techniques for minimizing battery drain in RF-intensive environments, even with the auto-authentication feature activated.

The Boingo Embedded Wi-Fi Toolkit and supporting documentation are now available on SourceForge.net (http://boingowifitool.sourceforge.net) in BREW, Linux, Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 5 versions. Additional documentation and test tools are available at the Boingo Embedded website (http://www.boingo.com/embedded).

About Boingo Wireless

Boingo Wireless, Inc. is an ultra-high-speed wireless Internet service available in tens of thousands of locations such as hotels, airports, cafes and other public places in dozens of countries throughout the world. The Boingo Roaming System comprises hundreds of Wi-Fi network operators, which are accessible through Boingo's connection software for laptops, PDAs, dual-mode phones and other embedded devices. The software -- available in SDK and white label GUI versions -- makes finding and connecting to Wi-Fi networks point-and-click simple, improving productivity for people on the go by enabling their device of choice for Wi-Fi roaming authentication. With the largest aggregated Wi-Fi network in the world, coupled with best-in-class software solutions for both laptops and portable devices, Boingo helps carriers and ISPs keep their customers connected with a high-quality broadband wireless connection. DIGY

More information about Boingo is available at http://www.boingo.com.


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Enhanced Emergency Preparedness

Cingular Enhances Emergency Preparedness for 2006 Hurricane Season

Company rolls out mobile command centers to help restore service when disaster strikes.

Cingular Wireless announced an expanded emergency preparedness program for the 2006 hurricane season. At the heart of this multifaceted program are two new mobile command centers that can be brought into an affected area quickly, providing full communications capabilities as well as working and sleeping quarters for Cingular employees. The objective: Making sure wireless service can be restored as quickly as possible.

Cingular is investing $1.8 billion this year to enhance and improve its network coverage in the Southeast, including adding more than 800 new cell sites. That investment includes more than $60 million for hurricane preparedness to harden the network with additional generators and to implement Cingular's enhanced emergency response program.

"Cingular's goal is to be as prepared as possible whenever and wherever disaster hits; to be able to restore any wireless service outages as quickly as possible; and to assist with overall relief efforts as much as we possibly can," said Ralph de la Vega, chief operating officer of Cingular. "We continue to invest millions of dollars in our networks, our systems and our emergency response efforts to be better prepared for hurricanes and other disasters."

This year, Cingular will introduce two new two mobile command centers called Mobile Access Command Headquarters (MACH 1 and MACH 2) to its hurricane and disaster relief efforts. These fully-equipped, completely self-sufficient centers can be rapidly deployed into an affected area where they can be set up and operating within two hours of arrival. They are equipped with generators, a satellite dish for constant communications, LAN connectivity and a PBX phone system. More than 30 technicians can work in and from MACH 1 and MACH 2. MACH 1 is a 53-foot tractor-trailer that expands on each side to reveal 1,000 square feet of workspace. MACH 2 is a 38-foot gooseneck trailer that can be transported to more remote locations.

"Nearly 60 years ago, the legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and achieved Mach 1. Today, Cingular is breaking another kind of barrier with our MACH 1 and MACH 2 mobile command centers, which will enable us to respond rapidly to hurricanes and minimize their impact on our customers," de la Vega said.

Other elements of Cingular's enhanced emergency preparedness program include:

- Permanent and portable generators. Cingular has added 1,200 permanent and portable generators, bringing the total to more than 4,500. Cell sites located in hurricane-affected areas are equipped with these generators, and can run for up to 36 hours without refueling during commercial power outages.

- Two emergency communications SUVs. These house military-grade satellite communications with access to the Internet, multi-channel voice over IP capability, radio communications and satellite news and information.

- Cells on Wheels (COWs). These are self-contained mobile cell sites that can be towed or driven into an area to provide extra call capacity or to restore communications following a disaster.

- Cells on Light Trucks or (COLTs). These are trucks that can be driven to a location where a mobile cell site is needed and include two masts for microwave antennas.

- Mobile Sales Office. This is a mobile store stocked with batteries, chargers and replacement phones; inventory that first responders need most in emergency situations.

- A four-person R.V. This can support up to four technicians for several days who are working to restore service.

- Full hazardous materials capability. This consists of equipment and training that enables Cingular emergency responders to work on any hazmat event in partnership with BellSouth's SABER (Service Assurance Brigade/Emergency Response) team.

- Generators. These will be deployed onto flatbed trailers and then transported to cell sites, retail stores, switches, offices, call centers and anywhere else back-up power may be needed.

- Base camp. This includes two sleeping tents with floors, carpet, showers, bathrooms, and washers and dryers, air conditioning and heat for more than 80 people. Base camp staff will have access to a full kitchen and dining facility, and Cingular has already pre-ordered 12,000 ready-to-eat meals. In addition, the camp will be staffed by a full-time nurse.

All of Cingular's enhanced emergency preparedness equipment, which is housed near Atlanta, can be deployed in just two to four hours, the company noted. Atlanta is also the location of the company's regional network operations center, which monitors and maintains Cingular's network 24/7 and allows Cingular personnel to assess and begin to act on an emergency situation within minutes.

Visit Cingular here

KUDOS to Cingular!!

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Wireless Fabric Keyboard for BlackBerry Debuts

Eleksen Group plc, the inventor and manufacturer of ElekTex smart fabric touchpads for consumer electronics, today announced a relationship with DynoPlex, a leading developer of wireless document management solutions. Together, Eleksen and DynoPlex aim to provide mobile customers with additional ways to use BlackBerry. BlackBerry is developed and manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM). Eleksen's fabric keyboard and DynoPlex's document editing tools will provide users with a selection of compatible peripherals and applications that leverage the flexibility and portability of the BlackBerry platform.

"We are pleased to be working alongside DynoPlex to support the growth of new, portable applications for BlackBerry," said Robin Shephard, CEO, Eleksen. "Both companies are focused on delivering innovative technologies which fit today's portable, mobile lifestyle."

By partnering together, Eleksen and DynoPlex extend a mobile office experience traditionally found in a PC environment.

"An opportunity to leave a notebook behind on the next business trip and use a wireless device, such as BlackBerry, is not a convenience — it's a lifestyle change," said Sergey Fradkov, co-founder of DynoPlex. "A combination of a portable keyboard and a document editing solution is what helps makes this change possible."

Designed for business people on the go, the portable keyboard provides users with additional ways to use wireless applications such as email, document editing, texting and mobile web browsing. Additionally, it is a generous full laptop keyboard design which provides a complementary alternative for BlackBerry users. DynoPlex's eOffice is an integrated suite of productivity applications for BlackBerry. Whether editing, creating or accessing files, eOffice provides users with access to Excel and Word documents using BlackBerry, whenever needed. Available now, the Eleksen smart keyboard sensor is available for OEMs interested in designing or manufacturing their own, branded smart fabric keyboard interfaces for the growing market of highly portable and mobile computing devices. DIGY

Visit Eleksen here

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Linksys Ships Its First Wireless-G IP Phones

WIP300 and WIP330 Phones Use Wi-Fi to Deliver Inexpensive, Feature-Rich VoIP Calls.
Linksys, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc., the recognized leading provider of voice, wireless and networking hardware for the consumer, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) and small business customer, today announced the immediate availability of its WIP300 and WIP330 Wireless-G IP Phones. The WIP300 and WIP330 are the first in a line of Wireless IP telephony products from Linksys that will enable users to make low-cost Voice over IP (VoIP) calls through 802.11g wireless networks.

"Voice over IP has clearly emerged as the future of telephone communication and Linksys is leading the way," said Tarun Loomba, director, product management, Linksys. "With the launch of our family of WiFi phones, we can take the technology to a whole new level."

WiFi phones from Linksys enable high-quality VoIP service through a Wireless-G network and high-speed Internet connection. While both phones provide clear and reliable voice communication over broadband networks, users can select the appropriate phone and Voice over IP Service Provider for their specific needs.
WIP330

An intuitive user interface on the WIP330 allows users to quickly and easily configure the handset to access available Wireless-G networks. With its built-in Internet browser, the WIP330 can attach to wireless networks including public hotspots which require user name or password access. The browser can also be used to access web-based email, view web sites or even receive Internet-based video, such as that sent by the Linksys WVC54GC Wireless-G Compact Internet Video Camera.


Features of the WIP330 include:

* Support for SIP v2 standards
* Compliance with IEEE 802.11b/g standards
* 2.2-inch color LCD display
* Support for Quality of Service (QoS)
* Enhanced power savings
* 3-way conferencing, call hold and resume, and caller ID
* Fast Hotspot Authentication
* Support for auto-provisioning using HTTP or HTTPS for configuration
and upgrades

WIP300

SecureEasySetup (SES) functionality on the WIP300 makes establishing a connection with a Linksys Wireless-G router as easy as pressing two buttons, one on the phone and one on the router. A highly secure WPA-encrypted connection is established that allows the user to make VoIP calls from within that network.

Features of the WIP300 include:

* Support for SIP v2 standards
* Compliance with IEEE 802.11b/g standards
* 1.8-inch color LCD display
* Call forwarding, call transfer, call history
* Backlit keypad
* RF and battery level indication
* WiFi survey tool
* Connection status button
* USB charger interface

Both the WIP330 and WIP300 require a broadband Internet connection, a wireless router or access point with DHCP server, and activated VoIP service.

The WIP300 and WIP330 are available immediately through authorized Linksys distributors with estimated street prices of $219.99 and $369.99 respectively. Additional products from the Linksys family of WiFi phones will be launched in the second half of 2006. DIGY

Visit Linksys here
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NetMotion Wireless Announces Mobility XE 7.0 Beta

New Software Meets Enterprise Demand for Smartphone Support, Increased Scalability and RSA SecurID Two-factor Authentication.

NetMotion Wireless, the acknowledged leader among Mobile VPN solution providers, has announced availability of the beta version of Mobility XE 7.0. In developing the release, the company partnered with Microsoft to deliver support for Windows Mobile 5.0 powered Smartphones. The company is also working with RSA Security to achieve RSA Secured technical certification with RSA SecurID two-factor authentication when Mobility XE 7.0 is released this summer. The new version of Mobility XE 7.0 also meets growing demand for large mobile application deployments with a threefold increase in scalability, resulting in support for mobile workforces of up to 15,000 simultaneous users.
Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone support

With Mobility XE 7.0, NetMotion Wireless has extended client platform support to include Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 powered Smartphones, including such popular devices as the Cingular 2125, Motorola Q and the T-Mobile SDA. With this new version of Mobility XE, IT administrators can now manage all of their mobile devices — laptops, handhelds, and Smartphones — from a single management console.

"Increasingly, companies are including Smartphones and Pocket PCs as a significant part of their enterprise mobile computing solution," said Gene Signorini, vice president with Yankee Group. "Mobility XE enables them to take full advantage of the power and utility of these devices by providing reliable, secure access to core enterprise applications and resources over wireless networks."

Increased scalability

To meet demand from enterprises undertaking large-scale mobile application deployments, Mobility XE 7.0 now supports up to 15,000 simultaneous users - three times more than previous versions. Based on typical mobile worker usage patterns, this increase in scalability can support companies with more than 35,000 mobile workers.

"There were two major factors over the past year that shaped the roadmap for Mobility XE 7.0: we significantly increased the number of large enterprises in our customer base, and our average deployment size more than doubled in 2005," said Bob Hunsberger, CEO of NetMotion Wireless. "The mobile worker population is growing fast, with increasingly varied and complex needs. This new version of Mobility XE was designed to support this growing population of workers with a Mobile VPN that is both scalable and secure."

RSA SecurID two-factor authentication

In a technology partnership with RSA Security, NetMotion Wireless is working to achieve RSA Secured certification between RSA SecurID two-factor authentication and Mobility XE 7.0.

"Enterprises with mobile workers have heightened security concerns, such as secure remote access, that RSA SecurID is meant to alleviate," said Stuart Cohen, director of business development at RSA Security. "With the planned technical certification of RSA SecurID two-factor authentication and the Mobility XE Mobile VPN, NetMotion can help keep enterprise data secure while mobile workers enjoy the convenience and ease-of-use they require."

Mobility XE 7.0 is currently available in beta version. Those interested in trying the beta software should send email to beta@nmwco.com. General availability is scheduled for the summer of 2006.

Visit NetMotion Wireless here

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WOW - Talk About a Bluetooth Headset System

Plantronics Announces World's First VoIP-Optimized Bluetooth Headset System

Multipoint Technology, Easy Install Provide Road Warriors with Single Headset for Numerous Devices

Plantronics, Inc. today introduced the Voyager 510-USB, the first Bluetooth® headset system optimized for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) that provides instant wireless connectivity to PC-based softphones. The Voyager 510-USB reflects Plantronics’ commitment to developing innovative VoIP products that embody great style, sound and simplicity for both business and consumer applications.

“As VoIP communication becomes increasingly relevant in today’s work environment, where professionals conduct business in the car, at coffee houses and airports across the world, there is strong demand for greater setup and device simplification,“ said Will Stofega, research manager, IDC. “The Voyager 510-USB makes VoIP intuitive. In doing so, enterprises benefit from reduced IT support and maintenance costs and professionals benefit from a reliable, easy to use wireless headset for their softphones and mobile phones.”

The Voyager 510-USB includes a plug-and-play Bluetooth USB adapter that eliminates cumbersome software setup processes and enables mobile professionals to place hands-free calls through any VoIP service with one easy step. Additionally, Voyager 510-USB features multipoint technology to allow users to switch between multiple Bluetooth-enabled devices, including softphones and mobile phones, with the touch of a button.

“As communication needs become increasingly mobile, compatibility and flexibility across diverse networks and devices becomes critical,” said Chuck Yort, vice president of Business Solutions at Plantronics. “The Voyager 510-USB will help make people’s lives less complicated on the road by providing simple, one-step VoIP connectivity and a single headset for multiple communication devices.”

Universal VoIP Compatibility

The Plantronics Voyager 510-USB is the first system that brings Bluetooth connectivity to enterprise class softphones. The system integrates with enterprise softphone software from leading companies including, Avaya, Cisco, Nortel and Skype, among others, to offer call notification and remote call answering via the headset. The Voyager 510-USB is also compatible with most popular consumer Internet telephony services, including AOL, MSN and Yahoo!.

An extension of Plantronics’ VoIP product portfolio, the Voyager 510-USB includes the award-winning Voyager 510¹ headset and Plantronics’ PerSonoCall® software to provide electronic answer-end control with major VoIP softphones. The system also comes with a convenient desktop charging stand, USB charging cable, USB extension cable, and AC charger. The Voyager 510 headset features include:

Noise-canceling microphone and wind-reduction technology for brilliant sound in indoor and outdoor environments,
Lightweight, foldable design for all-day wearing comfort and easy storage,
One-touch call answer/end, last number redial and voice activated dialing with mobile phones, Boom swivels for use on either ear for optional wearing preference,
Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time, and Freedom to roam up to 33 feet away from voice-enabled Bluetooth devices.

Global VoIP adoption is growing rapidly as businesses aim to realize substantial cost savings and value-added services. Aberdeen Group Research estimates that the average Fortune 500 company spends $116 million on telecommunications services each year.

In addition, IDC predicts that more than 44 million households in the US will have VoIP subscriptions by 2010. With this broad growth in mind, Voyager 510-USB is designed for all environments that mobile professionals work, whether in the office, on the go or at home.

Growing VoIP Product Portfolio

Plantronics offers the industry’s most complete family of corded and cordless VoIP products for both business and consumer use. Widely recognized for their sound quality, reliability, simplicity and style, Plantronics’ VoIP headsets are highlighted by:

CS50-USB: A premium wireless VoIP headset system for use in the office that uses 900MHz technology to deliver crystal-clear conversations — up to 200-feet away from a PC.

DA Series: A three model series of USB-to-headset adapters that help businesses drive maximum value for their VoIP investment. The entry, mid and premium level solutions fit into contact centers and enterprises worldwide.
.Audio™ PC Headsets: A new family of corded PC headsets that provide great sound quality, comfort and various wearing styles.
Pricing and Availability

The Voyager 510-USB has a manufacturer suggested retail price of US $199 and will be available in June 2006 through Plantronics’ authorized resellers, major e-commerce sites, and www.plantronics.com. The product will also be available in retail stores in early fall.

For more information about Voyager 510-USB, please visit: http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/productName/Voyager510USB.

About Plantronics
In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic first words from the moon: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Since then, Plantronics has become the headset of choice for mission-critical applications such as air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and the New York Stock Exchange. Today, this history of Sound Innovation™ is the basis for every product we build for the office, contact center, personal mobile, entertainment and residential markets. The Plantronics family of brands includes Plantronics, Altec Lansing, Clarity, and Volume Logic. For more information, go to www.plantronics.com or call (800) 544-4660.

Altec Lansing, .Audio, Clarity, PerSonoCall, Plantronics, Plantronics Voyager, Sound Innovation, and Volume Logic are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Plantronics, Inc. is under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Gizmodo


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Visiting Historic Philadelphia?

How Do You Experience Mobility?
Trips across the country?
Are you planning on visiting historic Philadelphia?


The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia today announced the launch of its second season offering daily guided walking tours of Historic Philadelphia. Visitors can follow in the Founding Fathers' footsteps with The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour, an escorted journey through America's Most Historic Square Mile, to see where The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States were created. The Constitutional Guided Walking Tour is a family-friendly tour that includes many sites within the Independence National Historical Park area, such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center and the Betsy Ross House.

Besides daily guided tours, you can take the Philly MP3 Audio Tour!

With its patriotic music, creative sound effects and entertaining storytellers, the Philly MP3 Audio Tour uses modern day technology to allow visitors to step back in time to a day and age long before MP3 Players and walk in the Founding Fathers' footsteps with their iPod! The introductory price is $14.99, and the Philly MP3 Audio Tour can be purchased and downloaded online at http://www.PhillyMP3.com. A free preview is available at http://www.PhillyMP3.com/sample.

And this is cool...a Cell Phone Tour!

Coming in June, Philadelphia's first Cell Phone Tour - a new way to explore the city at your convenience - all you need is a cell phone!

For more information on the new Philly MP3 Audio Tour, please visit http://www.PhillyMP3.com. For more information on The Constitutional, please visit http://www.TheConstitutional.com.

The Fight Against Spam E-Mail

Brian Krebs, a Special to The Washington Post wrote an article that you might want to read. A story about Eran Reshef who had an idea on how to beat spam e-mail. He had a great idea and it was working...well, sort of but today, he'll give up the fight.

Read Brian's article here

BackupBuddy.Net Basic for Palm Treo Smartphones

BackupBuddy.Net Basic brings enterprise-class wireless backup technology to Palm Powered Treo Smartphones

Blue Nomad, LLC announced the immediate availability of BackupBuddy.Net Basic for Palm Treo smartphones, including the just-announced Treo 700p. BackupBuddy.Net Basic allows users of Palm OS-based Treos to wirelessly backup their critical Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Memo data over the Internet.

Features of BackupBuddy.Net Basic have been built around the need for speed and robust security. It offers high compression and end-to-end (AES) encryption of all user-data, which is also stored in an encrypted form on the server.

With its support for Trickle Backup, BackupBuddy.Net is able to work even when a user’s Treo is in “asleep.” Trickle Backup allows BackupBuddy.Net to transparently and continuously backup a user's files when the Treo is inactive. Trickle Backup does not interfere with the day-to-day use of the Treo and has an insignificant impact on battery life.

"BackupBuddy.Net represents the culmination of our many years experience writing Palm OS backup software and is the most user-friendly and robust backup solution that we have ever developed,” said Alexis S. Hinds, CEO of Blue Nomad. “Treo users can now really not worry about theft of a device and its memory card, a damaged device or an errant program. By using BackupBuddy.Net and its Trickle feature they can effortlessly restore their critical data in moments, whether on their original or a replacement device."

"This is wonderful news for owners of Treo smartphones," said Larry Berkin, Senior Director, Developer Marketing for PalmSource, Inc, an ACCESS Company. “The Palm OS platform continues to provide leading mobile developers like Blue Nomad a fantastic opportunity to bring both personal and professional applications to millions of application-hungry Treo users.”

Pricing and Availability
BackupBuddy.Net Basic is available now from Blue Nomad's BackupBuddy.Net website (www.backupbuddy.net) for $34.95 for a one-year subscription or $19.95 for a six month subscription. Introductory pricing of $29.95 for one year and $16.95 for six month subscriptions is available until June 1. Review copies are also available and can be obtaining by sending an email to email protected from spam bots.

A release of BackupBuddy.Net Professional, which backs up the entire OS-based Treo line including all third-party applications and data, is expected to follow later this summer and will be a free upgrade to users who purchase the Basic edition before its release.

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Updated beta version of TextMaker 2006 for Pocket PCs

SoftMaker has just released an updated beta version of TextMaker 2006 for Pocket PCs. It features significant improvements over the previous beta, such as:

- Supports SYM key for composing umlauts and accented characters
- Improved file dialogs
- Close button user-configurable: Close document, exit program, minimize program
- Reduced memory consumption and faster program launch
- Enhanced toolbar icons
- Improvements to the Microsoft Word and OpenDocument filters
- Many additional bug fixes

If you missed the previous announcement of TextMaker 2006 for Pocket PCs, here is a quick rundown of what's new:

NEW: Drastically improved document filters for Microsoft Word and RTF
NEW: Import of OpenOffice.org and OpenDocument documents
NEW: Complete AutoShapes-compatibel drawing layer built in
NEW: Automatic numbering of headings and paragraphs
NEW: Line numbering
NEW: Hierarchical bullets and paragraph numbering
NEW: Easily indent/outdent lists and paragraphs with a key press
NEW: Track changes in your documents for easy revising
NEW: Comments as balloons
NEW: Transfer formatting with the format brush
NEW: Much improved tables

TextMaker 2006 for Pocket PCs supports Unicode which makes it perfect for non-Latin alphabets as well. But we didn't stop there:
You can switch menus and dialogs into 10 different languages:
English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Russian, Hungarian, Chinese and Japanese!

If you already have the first beta, you don't need to register again.
Instead, go directly to http://www.softmaker.net/down/tmpw06beta.exe
to download the new beta; just use your existing beta serial number.

If you want to download the beta for the first time, please register so that you receive a free serial number which is required for
installation:

http://www.softmaker.com/english/tmp06_en.htm
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Sprint Eyes 700P Customers

Sprint Announces Plans to Be First to Offer Mobile Broadband-Capable Palm Treo Running Palm OS

Sprint announced plans to be the first carrier to offer the Sprint Power Vision(SM) Smart Device Treo(TM) 700P by Palm - the latest PDA/Phone combo to deliver broadband-like download speeds of Sprint Mobile Broadband Services operating on the Sprint Power Vision Network(1). Sprint has the largest mobile broadband network of any carrier today and is expected to extend its leadership role to reach an estimated 190 million people nationwide and in Puerto Rico by year end and concurrently implement second-generation upgrades to bring additional mobility benefits to users in 1Q 2007. The Treo 700P will be available at the end of May at Sprint Stores, Sprint business channels and online at http://www.sprint.com at $399.99 after available discounts and promotions.

Ideal for customers who want to extend their workplace and stay connected for personal needs, the Treo 700P builds upon the success of earlier models offering enhancements in several areas including broadband-like download speeds, an enhanced Blazer Web browser and an updated Palm OS (version 5.4.9). Sprint is enabling the Treo 700P with flexible connectivity options like phone-as-modem that takes advantage of the devices capability to be used with a laptop to provide high-speed data access. Sprint is also expected to be the only wireless carrier to offer live TV capabilities - via Sprint TV - on the Treo 700P at launch.

"Sprint realizes that every business customer is also a consumer and uses mobility for productivity, social connections, entertainment and news," said Danny Bowman, vice president of product marketing for Sprint. "The Treo 700P is ideal for customers who are looking for a device that provides a combination of power and elegance to satisfy the need for owning a stylish, cutting-edge device while still helping them to be more efficient and productive."

The Treo 700P allows Sprint customers to do more in more places and provide a powerful productivity and entertainment experience. Features include:

-- Support for Sprint Mobile Broadband Service on the nation's largest mobile broadband network.

-- Support for Sprint TV(SM) - Emmy-award winning service providing more than 50 channels of video and audio for TV on the go, including live TV with full motion video and vivid sound.

-- Support for On Demand - retrieve personalized information for local news, sports, weather, movies and more.

-- Support for Sprint PCS Picture Mail(SM), Messaging, Games, Ringers, Screensavers

-- Email and Web capable

-- Phone as modem capability

-- Palm OS organizer

-- Bluetooth(R) Wireless technology

-- 1.3 megapixel digital camera with video capabilities

-- Built-in MP3 player

-- Speakerphone

-- 128 MB Memory - (60 MB available for end user storage)

-- Enhanced attachment capabilities - Documents to Go (version 8.0) including a new PDF viewer

-- Voice memo application

"The new Sprint Treo 700P delivers on Palm's commitment to provide business and mobile professionals with the tools they need to stay productive while on the road," said John Hartnett, senior vice president worldwide sales and customer relations for Palm. "The Treo 700P provides a world-class email and Web experience and, combined with Sprint's high-speed EV-DO network, gives businesses more reasons to extend their corporate information with a Treo mobile solution."

For content, the Treo 700P has access to Sprint downloadable games, ringers, screensavers and other Palm OS productivity and entertainment applications applied directly on a customer's Sprint bill. Additional content is available via the Sprint PCS Software Store provided by Handango(TM), an intelligent on-device catalog of applications and digital media, allowing users to find, download and buy software, games, ringtones, graphics and other applications simply and securely. The store can also be visited online at http://sprint.handango.com.

For complete details on the Treo 700P, visit http://www.sprint.com/treo.

Sprint customers can currently use several devices on the Sprint Power Vision Network to access various audio, video and data applications at average download speeds of 400-700 kbps and peak speeds up to 2Mbps(2). Sprint today has the most wireless broadband coverage of any carrier. The Sprint Power Vision Network now covers more than 150 million people and services customers in 220 major metropolitan areas as well as 470 airports across the nation, the most of any carrier. The Sprint Power Vision Network is expected to reach an estimated 190 million people nationwide by the end of the year.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of communications services bringing mobility to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com.


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Tablet PC Symposium: An Innovative Mobile Solution

Join Toshiba at their May 24, 2006 Toshiba Symposium and learn all you need to know about the Tablet PC.

Many businesses spread across a variety of verticals-from financial to healthcare- have embraced the Tablet PC and have added value to their operations with enhanced productivity and improved business processes. The Tablet PC is an evolution of the portable PC taking the standards of a laptop computer and adding pen or voice features making it ideal for those tasks where a keyboard would be obtrusive. The Tablet PC market is due to grow to $5.4 billion in 2009 from $1.2 billion, according to research by In-Stat. And with that companies outside of the vertical markets originally targeted by the Tablet PC are beginning to purchase these machines as their prices decline and their ease of use and functionality increase.

Join Toshiba for this Virtual Symposium dedicated to the Tablet PC and learn about the industries and companies taking advantage of the unique form and functionality the Tablet PC offers. Learn first hand the operating and business process efficiencies that can be gained by incorporating the Tablet PC into your IT strategy. Hear directly from Toshiba executives and mobile computing executives the advantages to equipping your workforce with Tablet PC technology.

Find out more here

3 GREAT GAMES - 3 GREAT PRICES

Club Astraware May-hem Sale is your opportunity to get some GREAT games at some GREAT prices.

For Tuesday 16th May you can get:
Pixelus $9.95
Collapse! $7.95
Seven Seas $4.95

I have to tell you that Pixelus is one of my favorites...try it, you will like it!

To join Club Astraware now, visit http://www.astraware.com/club.

Make sure to visit the Astraware website at http://www.astraware.com from Monday to check out each day's special offers. You'd be crazy to miss them!

Apple Unveils New 13-inch MacBook

Do you like Apples? If you do, this new one will give you one crisp, sweet, juicy bite!

What do you get when you put up to 2GHz of pure Intel Core Duo power, an iSight camera, Front Row, iLife ’06, and a 13-inch glossy widescreen display into a sleek case? More than you thought possible for less than you thought possible. Meet MacBook, starting at $1099.

Better bang-to-buck ratio
Now the Intel Core Duo is as affordable as it is powerful. With MacBook, you get the world’s fastest mobile architecture in a beautifully designed notebook that costs less than slower, clunkier models. That’s like getting a sports car for the price of a scooter. Of course, MacBook holds more than your average two-seater: up to 80GB hard drive, an optional DVD-burning SuperDrive, built-in Bluetooth, wireless-ready (802.11g) AirPort, and up to 2GB of RAM. And for the first time ever, choose bright white or sleek black.

Friends for iLife

Every MacBook comes with iLife ’06 — an amazing suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who’s got an email address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie HD and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on the web in one click with iWeb.(2) Just turn on your MacBook and you’re halfway there.


Take it on tour
MacBook features Front Row, so you can navigate your movies, music, photos, and more at the touch of the included Apple Remote — no matter where you roam. Give an impromptu vacation photo slideshow in your favorite café. Screen your latest iMovie on the train. Watch a DVD in bed. MacBook and Front Row give you the best seat in the house (or out of it).

All smiles
Look closely. See that little lens in the display bezel? That’s the MacBook’s built-in iSight camera. Use it to video chat simply by opening iChat AV and clicking on a buddy icon (or three). Or fire up Photo Booth and take a few snapshots with the iSight, play around with sixteen fun effects, then admire your handiwork. That little camera lets you create Web-ready videos, too. Just open up iMovie and start the action. From there, iWeb makes it one-click easy to get your talking head on the Web.(2) Looks like fun.


Positively brilliant
Thanks to a 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display that’s 79% brighter with 30% more viewing area than the iBook before it, MacBook provides the perfect combination of pixels and portability. Photos feel crisper. Movies play vividly. Even daily tasks like surfing the Web and checking email take on a whole new sheen.

Hit the hotspots
The built-in wireless capability of MacBook puts the “world” back in “world wide web.” If there’s a wireless hotspot nearby, you can get online. No need to burn valuable surfing time configuring your computer. Just open it up. MacBook automatically detects wireless networks within range and asks nicely if you’d like to join any of them. That’s it. Catch up on your blog, share this weekend’s trip as a photocast, or just chat with your friends. Anytime, anywhere.

MacBook: the most advanced affordable Mac notebook ever. Check it out here!

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Skype Introduces Free Calls to Traditional Landlines and Mobile Phones in the US and Canada

Skype, the global Internet communications company, today announced that all US and Canadian-based Skype customers can now make free SkypeOut(TM) calls to traditional landline and mobile phones in the US and Canada. Previously, Skype users in both countries were required to pay for Skype calls from their PCs to traditional telephones. Free SkypeOut calls to the US or Canada will be available to US and Canadian-based Skype users until the end of the year.

Skype has now removed any cost barrier for its American and Canadian customers to keep in touch with friends, family and business associates. Skype anticipates that completely free calling in the US and Canada will expand Skype's increasing penetration in North America and solidify Skype's position as the Internet's voice communication tool of choice. More people will now have the chance to benefit from Skype's premium services and online calling capabilities.

"Millions of consumers around the world are flocking to Skype every month, and we believe free SkypeOut calling will rapidly accelerate Skype adoption in the US and Canada," said Henry Gomez, General Manager, Skype North America. "We're very excited to be bringing Skype's convenience and voice quality to so many people for free."

While SkypeOut calls within the US and Canada will now be free, SkypeOut calls to and within all other countries will continue to incur charges. Those charges are unchanged by today's announcement and remain among the lowest available to consumers.

Last week Skype released a new beta version of its software that adds even more features and functionality to Skype's voice and video calling options, including: SMS; simplified dialing; payments in Skype; Outlook contact integration; call quality management; simplified registration; shared contact groups; and improved conference calling. On May 1, after just more than two and a half years in operation, Skype achieved 100 million registered users worldwide.

About Skype

Skype is the world's fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers.

To learn more visit skype.com.

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.

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scanR Announces Support for Treo Smartphones on Palm OS

scanR, Inc. today announced scanR Whiteboards will support Palm Treo smartphones running on Palm OS. The new application from scanR will utilize the enhanced capabilities of the new Palm Treo 700p smartphone, including the 1.3-megapixel camera and high-speed EvDO connection(1), to deliver a fast, easy solution for capturing notes written on whiteboards and turning them into useful digital files.

scanR Whiteboards uses advanced image processing technology to overcome frequent challenges such as low lighting, shadows, blurring, and skewed orientation to provide consistently high-quality results. People simply take a picture, upload it to scanR, and receive an exact scan of the whiteboard notes via email. Users can also choose to send the scanned image of the whiteboard to another email address, making it more efficient to share ideas and information.


"The Palm Treo 700p smartphone really shows its powerful new capabilities with scanR Whiteboards. We are excited to continue working with scanR to deliver mobile scanning solutions to our Treo customers," said Mark Bercow, senior vice president, Business Development, at Palm, Inc.

"With this new application, scanR is providing more choices for people who want an easy way to capture their critical information," said Rudy Ruano, Chief Executive Officer at scanR, Inc. "scanR Whiteboards for Palm OS is a great choice for people who have come to rely on the simple, intuitive Palm experience."

As the first Palm OS based Treo smartphone on EvDO, the Palm Treo 700p smartphone uses its fast data connection to speed email, messaging, large attachment downloads and web browsing.(1) The speed also allows for streaming multimedia content, and the Treo 700p smartphone ships with Palm's first built-in streaming application. Treo 700p users also can take advantage of broadbandlike EvDO speeds on their laptop computers by using the new smartphone as a wireless modem via USB or Bluetooth(R) wireless technology. By using SD memory cards, currently available with 2GB of storage (sold separately), in addition to the 128MB of built-in memory (60MB dedicated user storage), users have plenty of room to download and carry important documents and multimedia content. More information about the Palm Treo 700p smartphone can be found at http://www.palm.com/Treo700p.

Pricing and Availability

A free trial of scanR for the Palm OS will be available for download at http://scanR.com/treo in early Summer.

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Avvenu Remote Access Service Included With New Palm Treo 700p Smartphone

Free Service Ships With New Palm Treo 700p Smartphone to Let Mobile Users Conveniently Access Their Office and Home Computers Directly from Their New Palm Smartphone

Avvenu, Inc. today announced that its unique remote access service is conveniently included with Palm, Inc.'s new Palm Treo 700p smartphone. The Treo 700p smartphone is Palm's first Palm OS based Treo smartphone on EvDO. Optimized for Palm devices, Avvenu gives Palm customers fast access to their documents, folders and photos directly from their Treo 700p smartphone. Users can securely access important files anytime and anywhere they have wireless access(1) by easily linking to any of their computers. In addition to accessing their own content, users of certain wirelessly enabled Palm products can quickly and securely share access to their content with colleagues, friends and family.

"The Avvenu service is an extraordinarily useful addition to the Treo 700p smartphone experience, providing seamless connectivity to content on the user's office or home computer," said Mark Bercow, senior vice president, business development, Palm, Inc. "Avvenu can transform a Palm Treo 700p smartphone into a portal that can access the user's files -- anywhere in the world they have a wireless connection."

Avvenu's powerful remote access features let users view, download and edit files and photos. Every important document is available directly from the user's computer. The Avvenu service also allows users to share files, photos or folders with co-workers. The content being shared doesn't have to be downloaded to the Palm device or uploaded to a centralized server -- all sharing is directly off of the host computer. There are no file size limits, so users can use their Treo 700p smartphone to quickly share hundreds of megabytes of data.

"Since the Avvenu service is such a handy companion for the Treo 700p smartphone, it's only natural that it would be included with the device," said Richard French, Avvenu CEO. "The Treo 700p smartphone's ability to access data via high-speed wireless networks, combined with Avvenu's ability to securely connect users to their files and folders, makes the Treo 700p a truly outstanding mobile computing platform."

Users enjoy the security of knowing they have safe, password-protected access to their files and folders when using Avvenu. All data transfers are encrypted and transmitted using 128-bit SSL, the web standard for secure transactions. Avvenu also intelligently manages the connection to match the device being used. Avvenu's smart viewing feature scales large files, such as photos, to the right size for fast viewing on mobile devices. Avvenu also lets users search their desktop computer from any web-enabled mobile device using Google Desktop Search.

As the first Palm OS based Treo smartphone on EvDO, the Palm Treo 700p smartphone uses its fast data connection to speed email, messaging, large attachment downloads and web browsing.(1) The speed also allows for streaming multimedia content, and the Treo 700p smartphone ships with Palm's first built-in streaming application. Treo 700p users also can take advantage of broadband-like EvDO speeds on their laptop computers by using the new smartphone as a wireless modem via USB or Bluetooth(R) wireless technology. By using SD memory cards, currently available with 2GB of storage (sold separately), in addition to the 128MB of built-in memory (60MB dedicated user storage), users have plenty of room to download and carry important documents and multimedia content. More information about the Palm Treo 700p smartphone can be found at http://www.palm.com/Treo700p.

In addition to the Treo 700p smartphone, Avvenu also supports the Treo 700w and Treo 650 smartphones, the LifeDrive(TM) mobile manager, and the Palm TX handheld with affordable Wi-Fi connectivity. The Avvenu service is free for users of Palm products and may be downloaded directly from the Palm website at http://www.palm.com/avvenu.

About Avvenu

Avvenu's unique remote access and sharing technology gives users unobstructed access to their most important content from a web-enabled mobile device or computer anytime, anywhere. Avvenu users can access important documents when traveling, share pictures while still on vacation or distribute large files to colleagues -- in seconds. The Avvenu service is based on the company's patent-pending technology in media routing and managed peer-to-peer content access and distribution. Avvenu, based in Palo Alto, California, is a privately held company with venture funding provided by Charles River Ventures, Worldview Technology Partners, and Motorola Ventures.

For more information visit http://www.avvenu.com>.

(1) Within EvDO data wireless service coverage area only. Actual data speeds vary based on network capacity and application design. Backward-compatible with 1xRTT and IS95 networks. Email and web require data services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost. VPN may also be required.

Avvenu is a trademark of Avvenu, Inc. Palm, Palm OS, Treo and LifeDrive are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.


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It's OFFICIAL - Palm Reveals Treo 700p Smartphone

Blending Broadbandlike Speeds with World-class Palm OS Usability

First Palm OS Based Treo Smartphone on EvDO Offers Faster Connection Speeds, Dial-up Networking, Rich Multimedia and More Memory

Demonstrating its commitment to providing mobile professionals with a choice of smartphone operating systems, Palm, Inc. today announced the Palm(R) Treo(TM) 700p smartphone, which includes hardware and software innovations centered around usability, connectivity, multimedia and compatibility. As the first Palm OS(R) CDMA-based Treo smartphone to offer the broadbandlike speeds(1) of the EvDO (Evolution Data Optimized) network(2), the Treo 700p smartphone helps customers better balance their personal and professional lives by combining an easy-to-use mobile phone with high-speed wireless data access to web, email, business and multimedia applications.(3)

Pricing and availability for the Palm Treo 700p smartphone will be announced later by Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

"The release of this Palm OS based product on the latest high-speed network technology is music to the ears of our dedicated installed base of Palm OS customers and clear validation that we intend to continue to focus on multiple platforms for our solutions," said Ed Colligan, president and chief executive officer of Palm, Inc. "This flagship product - the second new smartphone Palm will introduce this calendar year -- offers our world-class usability combined with a smarter phone, wireless email, built-in browser, and rich media capabilities - all at blazing speeds on the EvDO network."

As the newest member of the Treo family, the Treo 700p smartphone combines the award-winning hardware design of the Treo 700w smartphone with Palm's innovative software that has shipped on approximately 3 million Palm OS based Treo smartphones worldwide. Palm differentiates this smartphone from others in the Treo line by offering the following features along with many additional enhancements:

First Palm OS Based Treo Smartphone on EvDO

Adding a fast data connection to the already efficient Palm OS platform speeds email, messaging and large attachment downloads, and dramatically enhances web browsing. The speed of EvDO also allows for an enjoyable experience when streaming multimedia content, and the Treo 700p smartphone ships with Palm's first built-in streaming application. The Treo 700p streams mobile content, such as live TV, movie clips and audio from radio stations, as well as training videos or company communications.

"Palm continues to deliver powerful and easy-to-use smartphones to the market, and we are pleased to be a part of the new Treo 700p smartphone with Palm OS," said Toru Arakawa, chief executive officer, ACCESS Co., Ltd. "We believe the Palm Powered Treo smartphone, together with the wide variety of applications available from our developer community, provide a powerful mobile-computing experience."

First Treo Smartphone with Built-in Dial-up Networking (DUN) Capabilities

Treo 700p smartphone users can take advantage of broadbandlike EvDO download speeds on their laptop computers by using the new smartphone as a wireless modem via USB or Bluetooth(R) wireless technology. This functionality may eliminate the need to purchase Wi-Fi or other connectivity services at coffee shops, airports and hotels. For the first time on any Treo product, this capability is available out of the box. Individual carriers will set pricing for appropriate data plans.

Supercharged Multimedia

In addition to the new streaming application, the Treo 700p smartphone now includes a 1.3-megapixel camera and camcorder, offering four times the resolution of a VGA camera. To help Palm customers organize and share their photos, the new product makes it significantly easier to create and manage photo and video albums. Once albums are created, Treo 700p smartphone customers can use the slideshow application to add music, audio captions and transitions.

The Treo 700p includes Pocket Tunes from NormSoft, Inc. for playing music files. The new application, with an easy-to-use Palm-customized user interface, offers customers more options for sorting music and making play lists. With an upgrade to Pocket Tunes Deluxe, Treo 700p customers can play content from all music stores that use Microsoft's PlaysForSure/Janus technology.

Additional Memory

The Palm OS based Treo 700p smartphone includes 128MB of memory (60MB user available). By using SD memory cards, currently available with 2GB of storage (sold separately), in addition to the 60MB of dedicated user storage, users have plenty of room to download and carry important documents and multimedia content.

Other Treo 700p Features and Benefits

-- Superior phone functionality, including personalized ring tones for various categories of callers and the ability to ignore a call with text messaging;

-- New voice-memo application, which can be used to create custom ring tones, add voice annotations to photos or simply record a memo;

-- Enhanced email and messaging, including better Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 ActiveSync support, which now includes contact sync in addition to email and calendar, as well as threaded SMS/MMS messages in a single chat view and out-of-the-box support for Yahoo!, AOL, and Gmail;

-- Smarter, faster web browsing using a new and improved version of the award-winning Blazer browser;

-- Full PDF support using DataViz(R) Documents To Go(R) Version 8.0, which also offers native support for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and

-- The fast, friendly and familiar Palm OS platform, Version 5.4.9.

In-box Treo 700p Smartphone Applications

A CD in the Treo 700p smartphone box includes extra applications -- some free, others for a fee -- such as VoiceSignal, for users who want voice dialing, and Avvenu, for those who want access to their home- or work-computer files while on the go. A secure VPN software client is provided by anthaVPN. Anyone with downtime could appreciate games from Handmark (Solitaire) and Astraware (Bejeweled), while those with a commute may find Palm Traffic to be a useful application. For book-lovers, the CD also includes Palm eReader as well as software from Audible Inc. for listening to audio books.

New applications for the Palm OS platform continue to be developed and improved. Two recent additions include scanR, which cleans photos of whiteboards and documents and delivers the results as a PDF file, and Lower Mars' Mobile Golf Pro, which uses the Treo 700p smartphone's streaming application and the Blazer web browser to stream videos of golf lessons and tips. On the enterprise front, Good Technology has enhanced GoodLink's push-email experience and security capabilities.

More information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com.

About Palm, Inc.

Palm, Inc., a leader in mobile computing, strives to put the power of computing in people's hands so they can access and share their most important information. The company's products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm(R) Treo(TM) smartphones, Palm handheld computers, and Palm LifeDrive(TM) mobile managers, as well as software, services and accessories.

Palm products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world, and at Palm Retail Stores and Palm online stores (http://www.palm.com/store).

(1) "Broadbandlike speeds" refers to download only.

(2) Within EvDO data wireless service coverage area only. Actual data speeds vary based on network capacity and application design. Backward-compatible with 1xRTT and IS95 networks.

(3) Within wireless coverage area only. Email and web require data services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost. VPN may also be required. Outlook email requires Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.


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Hitachi's New ``Super-Pendicular'' Hard Drive

Travelstar 5K160 Combines Perpendicular Recording & IrMnCr Read Heads for Industry's Most Technically-Advanced Mobile Hard Drive

With concerted and meticulous effort to develop, test and bring to market new perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) technology that would stand up to or exceed the reliability expectations of current longitudinal recording technology, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi) has achieved its goal by shipping today the most reliable and technically-advanced(1) 2.5-inch hard drive in the Travelstar 5K160. The 160-gigabyte (GB) Travelstar 5K160 is a 5400 RPM 2.5-inch hard drive designed for notebook and mobile computing.

So impressive is Hitachi's new PMR implementation that the company has dubbed the Travelstar 5K160 the "Super-pendicular Drive" for its best-of-breed reliability performance and leadership specifications. The same winning technology and process used to implement PMR on the Travelstar 5K160 will be replicated across Hitachi's product lines, including the next-generation 1.8-inch hard drive, slated for delivery in the latter half of 2006.
The top three contributors to hard-drive reliability are technologies that most strongly resist media corrosion, head instability and head/disk interference. Hitachi has addressed these factors through the following mechanisms, which have significantly impacted overall drive reliability:

-- Implementation of Hitachi-unique alloy combination and layer-deposition process produced PMR media with best-of-breed properties for corrosion resistance;

-- Use of new PMR write head greatly improved soft error rate through ability to write smaller data bits more sharply and with greater fidelity;

-- Use of the read-head alloy iridium-manganese-chromium (IrMnCr) showed more than a 2X improvement in field reliability among available hard drives using the new IrMnCr read sensor (separately announced today; see Hitachi's animated video for explanation of IrMnCr http://www.hitachigst.com.license2read).

Together, these technologies have seemingly produced a "drive of steel," which exhibits industry-leading drive-level reliability attributes, based on Hitachi's internal testing. These qualities are a strong indicator for an extremely fast volume ramp for the Travelstar 5K160 -- potentially, the fastest of any Hitachi hard drive product -- which is slated for the third quarter of this year.

"What we've achieved with the Travelstar 5K160 is a credit to our technical teams' methodical, single-minded approach to excellence, which we adopted from the start of the PMR development process," said Hiroaki Nakanishi, CEO, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. "Our mission was to deliver PMR technology when it's of the highest value to our customers, which is when the transition from longitudinal recording would be seamless in all regards, including reliability, performance, volume ramp and cost. By all measures, that time is now."

"The move to perpendicular recording is a challenging but necessary one, which is required to support the increased demands in notebook capacity, especially as we see video applications gaining popularity," said Campbell Kan, Head of Mobile Computing Business Unit, Acer Inc. "We applaud Hitachi for its meticulous effort in rolling out this promising new storage technology and assuring a smooth transition."

The Super-pendicular Drive

The superior reliability demonstrated by the Travelstar 5K160 is due in large part to the second-generation head and media technology at work in the drive. First-generation technology was used on drives that Hitachi implemented in its PMR field test conducted since December 2004.

Second-generation technology involves major changes to both the write head and the recording media. Hitachi closely integrated development of the media and head to optimize their performance, which is a key enabler to the superior reliability results of the Travelstar 5K160.

Before product development began in earnest, perpendicular media showed lower mechanical reliability than longitudinal media. Perpendicular-media development required a rethinking of reliability metrics and anticipation of new potential failure mechanisms to help ensure the highest levels of corrosion resistance and mechanical robustness. Using Hitachi's broad experience in process, materials and equipment engineering, state-of-the-art perpendicular media was developed and transitioned to large scale manufacturing with impressive speed and stability.

Hitachi's second-generation write head acts like an extremely fine pencil-point capable of writing very sharply-defined data bits that can be packed closely together without distortion. This is important due to the high areal density of PMR drives. The increased clarity and fidelity of the written data allows the drive to deliver better bit-error-rate performance and, therefore, better reliability margin.

As a vertically-integrated company, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies has the internal resources necessary for the development, optimization and verification of the dramatic changes required for PMR. Hitachi, Ltd. provided additional support, horizontally, from across its engineering practices.

"We marshaled resources from throughout Hitachi, Ltd. to exploit the best minds in materials science engineering to achieve a product of this caliber," said Dr. Michiharu Nakamura, executive vice president & executive officer, Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Group CTO. "The ability to tap this breadth and depth of engineering knowledge is a powerful and unique formula for creating the world's most reliable hard drives."

"Matsushita has established a strong reputation for the quality and reliability of our systems. Hitachi's recent announcement of the 5K160 2.5-inch hard disk drive is a good example of how the hard disk drive industry continues to make excellent progress in improving not only the capacity of 2.5-inch drives for notebooks, but also the basic reliability and robustness," said Mr. Takagi, Director, IT Products Division at Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd. "Matsushita looks forward to working with suppliers such as Hitachi to continue to strengthen our leading-edge Toughbook series of notebook computer systems."

Extensive Testing

Perhaps the strongest component of Hitachi's PMR effort was the internal verification and testing process. A typical product launch might involve the production of several thousand drives, of which several hundred would go into intense stress testing. In the case of the Travelstar 5K160, Hitachi produced approximately 20,000 drives and stress-tested more than 5,000 with impressive results, demonstrating reliability characteristics which exceed Hitachi's previous notebook hard-drive generation -- the Travelstar 5K100 -- which has the best-of-breed reliability performance.

Hitachi also produced and tested several hundred prototype PMR products, which not only provided valuable data for the eventual production-level product, but also yielded excellent reliability results. In addition, a worldwide field test of notebook systems running Hitachi PMR drives showed outstanding performance with no end-user failures.

Leadership Specifications

In addition to high reliability and volume ramp, Hitachi's criteria for shipping its first PMR product was to offer leadership specifications. For a 2.5-inch mobile platform, this means the drive would also have to represent the best attributes for notebook and portable applications: low power, cool-running, high performance and excellent shock resistance. Hitachi has delivered that and more with the Travelstar 5K160.

The Travelstar 5K160 offers industry-leading power consumption and heat-emission characteristics, which contribute to the host system's overall battery consumption and life expectancy. In addition, the shock resistance of the 5K160 shows leadership capabilities in boundary testing. The drive also exhibits leadership performance in application benchmark testing. The Travelstar 5K160 offers 80 GB per disk platter on one- and two-disk products for an upper capacity of 160 GB.

The Travelstar 5K160 will be available in US retail locations this summer at an MSRP of $269 USD for the 160-GB product. A Travelstar 5K160 Notebook Upgrade Kit will also be available at $299 USD.

1.8-inch on PMR

Hitachi's 1.8-inch hard drive will follow its 2.5-inch brethren in adopting PMR technology in the latter half of 2006. Targeted at the consumer electronics market, the new drive is expected to offer greater capacity with the lowest power consumption of any 1.8-inch hard drive, due in large part to a reduction of the disk spin-speed to 3600 RPM from 4200 RPM. Hitachi's new 1.8-inch drive is expected to have a 20-percent improvement in read/write power consumption and the fastest power-on-to-ready time for immediacy of data delivery. Hitachi's new drive is expected to continue its reign as the lightest 1.8-inch drive with industry-leading shock robustness and acoustics.

These new 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch hard drives support Hitachi's strategy to roll out PMR first on small-form-factor mobile products to meet the demand for data-intensive video applications on handheld and mobile devices.

(1) Statements regarding expected reliability and performance are based upon Hitachi's stress, corrosion and field testing of hard drives that are currently available from Hitachi and its competitors.

Technical Specifications:

Travelstar 5K160

160/120/80/60/40 GB (GB = 1 billion bytes, accessible capacity may be less)

9.5 mm in height

102/102/95/95/95/95 grams in weight

5400 RPM

131 billion bits per square inch maximum areal density

4/4/2/2/1 recording heads

2/2/1/1/1 platter(s)

325 G (2ms) operating shock

1000 G (1ms) non-operating shock

540 Mb/s max. media transfer rate

11 ms seek time

5.5 ms average latency

100 Ultra DMA mode-5/SATA 1.5 Gb/s

8 MB data buffer

0.80 w active idle

0.60 w low power idle

2.5/2.5/2.2/2.2/2.2 Bels typical idle acoustics

5 to 55 degrees C operating temperature

Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) spindle motor

About Hitachi Global Storage Technologies

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies is a storage technology leader, founded in 2003 through the combination of Hitachi's and IBM's hard disk drive businesses. Hitachi GST enables users to fully engage in the digital lifestyle by providing high-value hard drives in formats suitable for the office, on the road and in the home.

With its legacy in hard drive invention, Hitachi GST will lead the industry in celebrating the hard drive's golden anniversary in 2006. After five decades of innovation, the hard drive has had a profound effect on the computing and consumer electronics industries. That heritage lives on at Hitachi GST through products that define the standard for hard drive miniaturization, capacity, performance and reliability.

With more than 27,000 employees worldwide, Hitachi GST offers a comprehensive range of hard drive products for desktop computers, high-performance servers, notebooks and consumer devices.

For more information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.hitachigst.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 356,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2005 (ended March 31, 2006) consolidated sales totaled 9,464 billion yen ($80.9 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.


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myvu – a personal media viewer

An awesome media viewing experience allowing you enjoy high-quality video content anytime, anywhere, and anyway you want!



The holidays have come and gone and for some, the appeal of the iPod Video has started to wear off. You see, the problem is that it was just too much of a problem holding the iPod Video the right distance away from your eyes for a couple of hours. A short music video is cool, even a clip you saved of that birthday party you wanted to share was great but watch a 2 hour movie…it is a little difficult and frankly, it’s just too small to really enjoy a great flick.

The MicroOptical Corporation, with its myvu personal media viewer, is going to change your whole view of the value of your iPod Video. Back in March, I posted a news item from MicroOptical about their upcoming release of the myvu personal media viewer. I remember part of that post which said:

When plugged into a mobile device, the myvu viewer presents a large TV-like experience that mobile devices' small displays cannot match.

They went on to say:

The myvu viewer is designed to address this issue by providing hands free, head-up access to a large, bright quality image that's daylight viewable. The myvu viewer, which offers privacy by design, truly enables users to watch anything, anytime, anywhere, and any way they want it.

I liked it! It looked cool reminding me of Geordi La Forge from StarTrek and if it lived up to its promise of a big screen viewing experience, it would be a huge hit. The myvu was definitely a “cool” way to Experience Mobility so I decided to post the news item and was pleasantly pleased with the number of views it had.

So life went on until one day I asked my son how his new iPod Video was. He replied that it was great but he was not watching videos. When I asked why, he replied that the video was just too small for long movies. It was then that I remembered the myvu post and I thought I’d try to get a “sneak peek” to see just how good it was and if it would really improve the Video Experience on the iPod.

I was fortunate to be able to get a review unit for a couple of weeks to try and I have to tell you, it has changed the way I want to watch videos when traveling. I have tested it extensively on the iPod Video and on a portable DVD player and am very happy with the results.

The MicroOptical Corporation is only a few miles from my home so I drove over to get my review unit. As I entered the office, the folks knew I was coming and had my device ready. I asked the receptionist if she had tried the viewer and she replied that she had and that I will find it to be an awesome experience. Of course I would not have expected her to say anything else but it was the way that she expressed it that I knew I was in for a great viewing experience.

Those of you that have read my reviews before know that I am a believer in packaging. Not that it makes the device better but it does give some insight into the company and how they truly believe in their product. I was not disappointed in that aspect either. The myvu comes packaged in black box with a picture of the viewer emblazoned on the front. There is glow surrounding the viewer which immediately focus’ your attention on the device. It looked good and I could not wait to open the box and get my first real glimpse at the viewer. I have to tell you that the drive home was painful…I wanted to open that box!

Opening the package, I slid out an inner box that housed the myvu. It was neatly incorporated in a soft dark grey foam surrounding the viewers power unit, a case that holds the power unit and your Video iPod at the same time, 2 addition nose pads for different height adjustment, additional earbud covers, 3 AAA batteries and a user guide. In my box, there was an A/V cable for an iPod and they supplied me with a special cable for use with my portable DVD player.

Slipping the myvu viewer from its comfortable resting spot, I was immediately impressed with its design and pleased with its weight (or lack of I should say). As I held it up, there were two earbuds that dropped from the library temples and a long cord that came from the end of the left temple attaching to the myvu power unit. The library temples are straight for ease in slipping the myvu viewer on and are surprisingly comfortable. (Just as an FYI, a temple is the "arm" of a pair of glasses, running from the ear to the lens area).

Before I slipped them on for the first time, I couldn’t help but notice the hinge system used with the library temples. When opened, they have a spring loaded system allowing them to open a bit more as they are slipped on and gently go back into their standard position. When the glasses are off, they can be easily closed making storage easy. As you open for use, they easily click into position. They have a great design providing comfort and ease of use.

Once on for the first time, I found them to feel a bit strange. I could see above and below the glasses so activity that might be going on would not be missed. In addition, there are also two windows (on either side of the actual viewing screen) that allow you to see through the viewer. Each window is tinted so it does not affect the viewing of a movie…sort of like having sunglasses on. You definitely get a different perspective in your surroundings. I certainly would not advise driving a vehicle but interestingly enough you can with some practice have movement while focused on a movie.

The power into the viewer is supplied from a power unit that is hard wired by a long cord from the left library temple. I would hope that the next iteration would not be hard wired to allow for the power unit to be removed for storage. Measuring approximately 3.5 X 2.3 X .5, it contains 3 AAA batteries that have a fairly good life cycle. The front of the power unit has a power button that glows green when power is being applied. On the top, one side has the cord from the myvu glasses and the other side has a female jack for attaching the output from your video source. The rear of the power unit has a slide off cover over the battery compartment.

I have been able to watch three full length movies and still have had power remaining. During the fourth movie, the batteries died about halfway through the movie. They rate the batteries to last approximately 6 hours but I have found it to be slightly longer.

The two earbuds that are attached to the library temples provide excellent sound and fit comfortably in your ear. With the provided earbud covers, external sounds are dramatically reduced allowing you to have the full enjoyment of the audio.

The integrated earbuds are strategically placed on the library temples so as not to interfere with your sliding the glasses. A nice design allowing them to easily be placed in your ear also allows for quick removal in case you need to listen to some external conversation. With the myvu on and the earbuds attached, if you slide off the glasses, the earbuds pop out of your ears easily. The angular design of the wire coming from the library temple eliminates any possibility of “stress” to the wires….a well thought-out design.

Getting the right position and angle is important for a good experience. Like any pair of glasses, fit is everything for comfort and Micro Optical has tried to provide in their design several options for the users comfort by providing three different nose clips that adjust how the glasses rest on your nose. Choosing the correct angle coupled with the moldable nose clip for comfort provides an image that gives you a full view, distortion free image for your experience.

I tried all three clips and found that each one gave distinct adjustments and yes, there was one that worked perfectly for me. The clips are firmly integrated in the device but can easily be removed with the appropriate pressure. I would imagine that once you choose the clip that fits for you, you will never change it again…unless your friends and family start using it.







As you hold the myvu in your hand getting ready to place them on your head, the eye piece has a very interesting design. As you would expect, there are two “lens areas”, one on either side of the nose guard but they are quite unique. There are two distinct pieces to each lens: a flat lens for viewing external sources and a rounded (fisheye) magnifier type lens that is used for viewing the image projected in the myvu viewer. They are literally right next to each other and yet when you actually are viewing a movie, they are distinctly separate. It is a very cool design that works magnificently.


The front of the myvu player is a very shiny smoked black plastic…sort of a futuristic look. The myvu logo is embossed in white on either side. Normally I would not care for a logo so prominent but it is small and gives an accent to the glasses. The MicroOptical logo on the inside of one library temple is hidden from view unless you are looking directly on the inside.










Overall the looks are quite nice; the device is well designed, has smooth finishes and is comfortable to wear. The ability to watch a movie and yet be totally aware of what is going on around you is a terrific plus.

A good looking device is one thing but the real question is: “how well does it work”? It is surprisingly incredible! I have to be honest and te