by Chris Barylick
With the gold rush of games coming to the iPhone and iPod touch via the App Store, there are cases where the
developers try to include every bell and whistle available to capture the new market. Then there are the games that
know exactly what they’re all about, the developers having created something simple and fun and forgoing the
extras.
It’s Crunch Time: The horde of adorable critters keeps descending in Space Invaders-like fashion, and it’s up to
you to eliminate them—and rack up points in the process.Take Critter Crunch, a perfect example of the latter and
one of the best puzzle titles for the iPhone to date. A variation of the arcade classic Space Invaders, Starwave’s
Critter Crunch puts you in control a long-tongued, furry creature named Biggs who completes levels by fending off a
descending horde assorted critters. He does this by grabbing them with his tongue and feeding the smaller ones to
the larger ones, remove them from the board and racking up points.
Like Space Invaders, Critter Crunch picks up the pace after a few levels, pushing you to figure out how to and clear
out the level as quickly as possible.
Critter Crunch’s bright, friendly graphics stand on par with anything you’d find on a handheld gaming console such
as the Nintendo DS. But the sound really stands out—you’ll hear distinct noises like Biggs’ tongue extending, a
critter being happily crunched, or a power-up being collected. The impressive audio adds to the fun of Critter
Crunch.
While the standard Adventure game mode is interesting, it’s the little things that make Critter Crunch interesting.
Three additional game modes (Puzzle, Time Trial, and Survival) are interspersed throughout the standard game, and
players will suddenly find themselves tasked with clearing out a puzzle within a given number of moves or some other
challenge.
There’s a polish to the game that’s appreciated. For example, a simple set of options lets you turn the sound on
and off. The beginning of new levels feature helpful tutorials. A well-designed background process does a good job
of automatically saving a your level, allowing you to resume the game from where you left off, even if you need to
take a phone call or perform some other iPhone function.
As the levels go by, Critter Crunch introduces new critters to clear, new power-ups to collect, and power-downs to
avoid. You can also collect power foods— items which can be spat back at the critters to remove them. Though a
puzzle game, the puzzle continuously changes, keeping you on your toes.
The developers put a lot of effort into this $5 game, making a bright, friendly, accessible, and fun offering. And
if you’re still not sure if the game is right for you, the App Store also offers a free lite version of Critter
Crunch. It’s worth checking out.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Gadgets that won't be in my stocking
by Mikael Ricknas
Living in Sweden is not the best choice for those who want to be first to get a hold of the latest gadgets.
We have a good health-care system, free university studies and five holiday weeks each year, but what do those
benefits matter when you have to wait for the latest phone or music player? Two of the hottest mobile phones right
now are the T-Mobile G1 and the BlackBerry Storm from Research In Motion. Neither is available in this part of the
world and although I am not sure I would want either, but would at least like to have the option to buy them or not.
(The first generation of the iPhone didn't show up in Sweden either, but that was probably a smart move by Apple --
selling a smartphone without 3G support wouldn't have been such a good idea as the country is among the best for 3G
coverage, at least according to its telecom regulator.)
The Nintendo DSi is another gadget that is missing in action for the holiday season, but this time Sweden is at
least in good company. I have never understood why Nintendo ignores Europe when it launches new products, but its
delays have always given me the impression that the company only grudgingly sells its consoles outside of Japan.
Part of the problem is, of course, that Sweden is a small market, with 9.2 million inhabitants. Manufacturers of
gadgets with Qwerty keyboards also have to add the Swedish vowels å,ä and ö, which is a bit of a hassle.
But it isn't just the availability of the latest gadgets that's a problem; cost is also an issue.
Many wish lists on both sides of the Atlantic undoubtedly include Blu-ray players, and one of the hottest candidates
is the Panasonic DMP-BD35, the new entry-level model from the Japanese home electronics manufacturer.
In the U.S. that player costs about US$230, in Sweden it would set you back another $100. A value added tax at 25
percent doesn't help much either.
Digital cameras and iPods are other examples of gadgets that Swedes have picked up in droves when visiting the U.S.
lately, which I guess is good for the U.S. economy.
Yet another area where it sometimes feels like Sweden is a third-world nation is content. iTunes has turned into a
great source for movies and TV in the States, but in the Swedish version of the store users will have to make due
with podcasts. Comparing the amount of TV in HD here and there, and the number of available Blu-ray discs, is also a
losing battle.
All of this might sound like a bit of a rant, and it is. All I can say is that I blame the lack of daylight and
sunshine this time of year. Oh, and by the way, the headline is a little misleading -- Christmas stockings are
something else we don't have in Sweden.
Living in Sweden is not the best choice for those who want to be first to get a hold of the latest gadgets.
We have a good health-care system, free university studies and five holiday weeks each year, but what do those
benefits matter when you have to wait for the latest phone or music player? Two of the hottest mobile phones right
now are the T-Mobile G1 and the BlackBerry Storm from Research In Motion. Neither is available in this part of the
world and although I am not sure I would want either, but would at least like to have the option to buy them or not.
(The first generation of the iPhone didn't show up in Sweden either, but that was probably a smart move by Apple --
selling a smartphone without 3G support wouldn't have been such a good idea as the country is among the best for 3G
coverage, at least according to its telecom regulator.)
The Nintendo DSi is another gadget that is missing in action for the holiday season, but this time Sweden is at
least in good company. I have never understood why Nintendo ignores Europe when it launches new products, but its
delays have always given me the impression that the company only grudgingly sells its consoles outside of Japan.
Part of the problem is, of course, that Sweden is a small market, with 9.2 million inhabitants. Manufacturers of
gadgets with Qwerty keyboards also have to add the Swedish vowels å,ä and ö, which is a bit of a hassle.
But it isn't just the availability of the latest gadgets that's a problem; cost is also an issue.
Many wish lists on both sides of the Atlantic undoubtedly include Blu-ray players, and one of the hottest candidates
is the Panasonic DMP-BD35, the new entry-level model from the Japanese home electronics manufacturer.
In the U.S. that player costs about US$230, in Sweden it would set you back another $100. A value added tax at 25
percent doesn't help much either.
Digital cameras and iPods are other examples of gadgets that Swedes have picked up in droves when visiting the U.S.
lately, which I guess is good for the U.S. economy.
Yet another area where it sometimes feels like Sweden is a third-world nation is content. iTunes has turned into a
great source for movies and TV in the States, but in the Swedish version of the store users will have to make due
with podcasts. Comparing the amount of TV in HD here and there, and the number of available Blu-ray discs, is also a
losing battle.
All of this might sound like a bit of a rant, and it is. All I can say is that I blame the lack of daylight and
sunshine this time of year. Oh, and by the way, the headline is a little misleading -- Christmas stockings are
something else we don't have in Sweden.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Eight Hottest Smartphones of 2008
by Al Sacco
The year 2008 has been a momentous one for the mobile industry, and in particular, the smartphone space. A record 39.9 million smartphones were shipped
globally in the third quarter of the year, according to market research firm Canalys. That's 28 percent more phones shipped than in the same July through
September period of 2007, and smartphones now make up some 13 percent of the overall handset market, Canalys says.
That's a whole lot of smartphones.
And though the line between "regular" mobile phones, or feature phones, and smartphones gets blurrier every day, there are a select few uber handsets that
still stand out from the pack. Whether it be stunning design, new and innovative functionality or exclusive features, the following eight handsets are our
picks--in no particular order--for the best smartphones of the year, and each and every one is worth a look.
Best of all: You've still got all the handsets of 2009 to look forward to.
T-Mobile G1: Say Hello to AndroidThe T-Mobile G1, released on October 23, 2008, is the first smartphone powered by Google's open-source, mobile operating system (OS), Android. Though not
as powerful or full-featured as many had hoped, the 3G device clearly shows the promise of the Android OS. And with a slider-style, physical, full QWERTY
keyboard and touch screen, Wi-Fi and GPS, the G1's certainly no slouch.
(T-Mobile; GSM; $179 with two-year service contract)
Sony Ericsson Xperia 1: Experience XperiaThe name Sony Ericsson isn't exactly synonymous with "smartphone," but if the company keeps rolling out devices like the Xperia 1, that may soon change.
Originally released in the fall of 2008, the Xperia 1, which runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, is unlike other smartphones due to its innovative
navigation key and customizable home screen "panels," making for a truly unique user "Xperi-ence." And the fact that it's got 3G, a 3.2 megapixel camera,
Wi-Fi and Assisted GPS (aGPS) doesn't hurt, either.
(Unlocked; GSM; approximately $800)
BlackBerry Bold: Dare to Be BoldInitially released in November in the United States, the BlackBerry Bold 9000's launch was hindered by various software glitches and issues with AT&T's 3G
network. Now that it's finally widely available, the smartphone is quickly building a faithful fan base thanks to it's stunning 480 X 320 display, blazing
624-Mhz processor and inimitable, full BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard. Aimed specifically at businesspeople, or power users, the Bold also packs 3G, Wi-Fi and
GPS.
(AT&T; GSM; $299.99 with two-year service contract)
Apple iPhone 3G: A Touch of BrillianceApple's iPhone 3G needs no introduction. The second generation of the company's first smartphone has quite literally taken the world by storm.
Specifically, Apple shipped upwards of 10 million devices in 2008, making it the number two smartphone vendor in the world behind Nokia and bumping both
RIM and Microsoft downward. The iPhone is jammed packed with features, but what stands out are its intuitive touch-based UI, best-of-breed Safari browser,
high-end media player/iPod and the iTunes App Store.
(AT&T; GSM; 8GB, $199 with two-year service contract; 16GB $299 with contract)
Nokia E71: A Smartphone with StyleNokia's business-oriented Eseries devices aren't new, but you couldn't tell that from the latest addition to the line, the Nokia E71, which is thinner,
lighter and heck of all lot better looking than its Eseries siblings. First released early last summer, the Symbian S60-powered device has aGPS, 3G, Wi-Fi
a 3.2 megapixel camera, outstanding battery life and more. The keyboard's a bit cramped for me, but it's a full QWERTY and could be great for folks with
smaller digits.
(Unlocked; GSM; $442)
Palm Treo Pro: Jewel in the RoughPalm has seen better days--to say the least--but the company's struggles didn't keep it from releasing one of the hottest Windows Mobile (6.1 Professional)
devices to come out of 2008: The Treo Pro. Along with GPS and Wi-Fi, the candy-bar-style device, first released in August, also packs both a 320 X 320
touch screen and a full physical keyboard. Though not officially available through any U.S. carrier quite yet, AT&T is expected to announce the device any
day, and rumors suggest both Sprint and Verizon may soon debut CDMA variants of the Treo Pro.
(Unlocked; GSM; $549.99)
HTC Touch Pro: A Touch of ClassIn June 2007 came the HTC Touch. In mid-2008, the Touch Diamond. Then the HTC Touch Pro, the best smartphone of the bunch, landed in the United States,
first with Sprint in October 2008 and with Verizon a month later. Compact and feature-packed, the 3G Touch Pro's rocking Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional;
HTC's innovative TouchFLO, touch-screen-based UI; GPS; Wi-Fi; and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Its rear panel is also designed to look like jagged rock--hence
the clever name.
(Sprint and Verizon Wireless; CDMA; $299 [Sprint], $350 [VZW] with two-year service contract)
BlackBerry Storm: All Touchy FeelyRIM's first touch screen BlackBerry, the Storm, thundered into the United States in November to much fanfare, but unfortunately its launch was hindered by
poor quality OS code. Verizon has since shipped an OS update that did away with, or at least improved upon, many of the early problems, and the device is
beginning to shine. With a unique, 360 X 480 SurePress screen that clicks when you press it, GPS, both CDMA and GSM functionality and an entirely new
BlackBerry OS, the 3G Storm is a force to be reckoned with.
The year 2008 has been a momentous one for the mobile industry, and in particular, the smartphone space. A record 39.9 million smartphones were shipped
globally in the third quarter of the year, according to market research firm Canalys. That's 28 percent more phones shipped than in the same July through
September period of 2007, and smartphones now make up some 13 percent of the overall handset market, Canalys says.
That's a whole lot of smartphones.
And though the line between "regular" mobile phones, or feature phones, and smartphones gets blurrier every day, there are a select few uber handsets that
still stand out from the pack. Whether it be stunning design, new and innovative functionality or exclusive features, the following eight handsets are our
picks--in no particular order--for the best smartphones of the year, and each and every one is worth a look.
Best of all: You've still got all the handsets of 2009 to look forward to.
T-Mobile G1: Say Hello to AndroidThe T-Mobile G1, released on October 23, 2008, is the first smartphone powered by Google's open-source, mobile operating system (OS), Android. Though not
as powerful or full-featured as many had hoped, the 3G device clearly shows the promise of the Android OS. And with a slider-style, physical, full QWERTY
keyboard and touch screen, Wi-Fi and GPS, the G1's certainly no slouch.
(T-Mobile; GSM; $179 with two-year service contract)
Sony Ericsson Xperia 1: Experience XperiaThe name Sony Ericsson isn't exactly synonymous with "smartphone," but if the company keeps rolling out devices like the Xperia 1, that may soon change.
Originally released in the fall of 2008, the Xperia 1, which runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, is unlike other smartphones due to its innovative
navigation key and customizable home screen "panels," making for a truly unique user "Xperi-ence." And the fact that it's got 3G, a 3.2 megapixel camera,
Wi-Fi and Assisted GPS (aGPS) doesn't hurt, either.
(Unlocked; GSM; approximately $800)
BlackBerry Bold: Dare to Be BoldInitially released in November in the United States, the BlackBerry Bold 9000's launch was hindered by various software glitches and issues with AT&T's 3G
network. Now that it's finally widely available, the smartphone is quickly building a faithful fan base thanks to it's stunning 480 X 320 display, blazing
624-Mhz processor and inimitable, full BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard. Aimed specifically at businesspeople, or power users, the Bold also packs 3G, Wi-Fi and
GPS.
(AT&T; GSM; $299.99 with two-year service contract)
Apple iPhone 3G: A Touch of BrillianceApple's iPhone 3G needs no introduction. The second generation of the company's first smartphone has quite literally taken the world by storm.
Specifically, Apple shipped upwards of 10 million devices in 2008, making it the number two smartphone vendor in the world behind Nokia and bumping both
RIM and Microsoft downward. The iPhone is jammed packed with features, but what stands out are its intuitive touch-based UI, best-of-breed Safari browser,
high-end media player/iPod and the iTunes App Store.
(AT&T; GSM; 8GB, $199 with two-year service contract; 16GB $299 with contract)
Nokia E71: A Smartphone with StyleNokia's business-oriented Eseries devices aren't new, but you couldn't tell that from the latest addition to the line, the Nokia E71, which is thinner,
lighter and heck of all lot better looking than its Eseries siblings. First released early last summer, the Symbian S60-powered device has aGPS, 3G, Wi-Fi
a 3.2 megapixel camera, outstanding battery life and more. The keyboard's a bit cramped for me, but it's a full QWERTY and could be great for folks with
smaller digits.
(Unlocked; GSM; $442)
Palm Treo Pro: Jewel in the RoughPalm has seen better days--to say the least--but the company's struggles didn't keep it from releasing one of the hottest Windows Mobile (6.1 Professional)
devices to come out of 2008: The Treo Pro. Along with GPS and Wi-Fi, the candy-bar-style device, first released in August, also packs both a 320 X 320
touch screen and a full physical keyboard. Though not officially available through any U.S. carrier quite yet, AT&T is expected to announce the device any
day, and rumors suggest both Sprint and Verizon may soon debut CDMA variants of the Treo Pro.
(Unlocked; GSM; $549.99)
HTC Touch Pro: A Touch of ClassIn June 2007 came the HTC Touch. In mid-2008, the Touch Diamond. Then the HTC Touch Pro, the best smartphone of the bunch, landed in the United States,
first with Sprint in October 2008 and with Verizon a month later. Compact and feature-packed, the 3G Touch Pro's rocking Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional;
HTC's innovative TouchFLO, touch-screen-based UI; GPS; Wi-Fi; and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Its rear panel is also designed to look like jagged rock--hence
the clever name.
(Sprint and Verizon Wireless; CDMA; $299 [Sprint], $350 [VZW] with two-year service contract)
BlackBerry Storm: All Touchy FeelyRIM's first touch screen BlackBerry, the Storm, thundered into the United States in November to much fanfare, but unfortunately its launch was hindered by
poor quality OS code. Verizon has since shipped an OS update that did away with, or at least improved upon, many of the early problems, and the device is
beginning to shine. With a unique, 360 X 480 SurePress screen that clicks when you press it, GPS, both CDMA and GSM functionality and an entirely new
BlackBerry OS, the 3G Storm is a force to be reckoned with.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Share: Joke your friends with prankish Christmas E-card
Christmas is coming on, and then comes on the heels of the New Year. Here I collected three online E-card-making sites which can customize Christmas card with your picture to give your friends or family a big surprise.
1. ElfYourself
Upload photos of yourself or friends, adjusting well to his head and the coordination of cartoon characters, and then choose Disco / disco dance, Charleston / Charleston dance, Country / rural and dance Classic / classical dance of four into a dynamic Greeting cards, send to a friend.
This site also provides E-card download service, you can download the customized card and play it on your iPod, mobile phone, or burn it onto a DVD to send it to your frinds. Here are two guides tell you how to have fun after downloading the video.
a. How to convert video to iPod, iPhone, PSP, mobile phone, etc?
b. How to burn video to DVD?
2.CardFunk
Similar as ElfYourself, but CardFunk supports up to 5 individual picture upload , suitable for groups wishing to send cards.
Is a unique e-card Web site rich in greeting card templates, some of the greeting card templates includes a short interesting story, for example, the Turkey Run, I believe you can get a lot of fun from this site.
To use these sites for the production of greeting cards, will surely be able to give your friends a pleasant surprise when they received the blessing.
Note: If you want to use the photos of others, with the consent of the person in order to avoid unpleasant.
Monday, December 15, 2008
T-Mobile, AT&T agree to stop saying mobile voicemail is safe
by Robert McMillan
Mobile service providers AT&T and T-Mobile have been banned from saying that their voicemail systems are safe from sabotage after agreeing to permanent injunctions filed in a Los Angeles court.
The cell-phone providers falsely advertised the security of their systems, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. During an investigation, "cell phones purchased by undercover investigators were easily hacked into, enabling the voicemail to be changed at will," the district attorney said in a statement Thursday.
"Hacking into voicemail allowed messages to be changed or erased. Important information could be removed from the voicemail and phony information could be inserted," the district attorney said. "Imagine the havoc that could result."
Investigators were able to hack into voicemail accounts using something called a SpoofCard. SpoofCard's software lets people display any number they want on caller ID and has been used to access voicemail systems that do not require passwords such as those used by Cingular (now part of AT&T) and T-Mobile.
Two years ago, SpoofCard suspended Paris Hilton's account after gossip sheets linked her to the voicemail hacking of her celebrity rival, Lindsay Lohan. At the time, SpoofCard said it had suspended more than 50 customers for using the service to hack into voicemail accounts.
As part of Thursday's settlement, AT&T will pay US$59,300 in penalties; T-Mobile will pay $25,000. The case was heard in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles.
In a separate civil action, SpoofCard's parent company TelTech Systems has agreed not to advertise its product as "legal in 50 states." It is not legal in California and some other states, the district attorney's office said. TelTech will also pay a $33,000 fine.
AT&T, T-Mobile and TelTech did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Mobile service providers AT&T and T-Mobile have been banned from saying that their voicemail systems are safe from sabotage after agreeing to permanent injunctions filed in a Los Angeles court.
The cell-phone providers falsely advertised the security of their systems, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. During an investigation, "cell phones purchased by undercover investigators were easily hacked into, enabling the voicemail to be changed at will," the district attorney said in a statement Thursday.
"Hacking into voicemail allowed messages to be changed or erased. Important information could be removed from the voicemail and phony information could be inserted," the district attorney said. "Imagine the havoc that could result."
Investigators were able to hack into voicemail accounts using something called a SpoofCard. SpoofCard's software lets people display any number they want on caller ID and has been used to access voicemail systems that do not require passwords such as those used by Cingular (now part of AT&T) and T-Mobile.
Two years ago, SpoofCard suspended Paris Hilton's account after gossip sheets linked her to the voicemail hacking of her celebrity rival, Lindsay Lohan. At the time, SpoofCard said it had suspended more than 50 customers for using the service to hack into voicemail accounts.
As part of Thursday's settlement, AT&T will pay US$59,300 in penalties; T-Mobile will pay $25,000. The case was heard in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles.
In a separate civil action, SpoofCard's parent company TelTech Systems has agreed not to advertise its product as "legal in 50 states." It is not legal in California and some other states, the district attorney's office said. TelTech will also pay a $33,000 fine.
AT&T, T-Mobile and TelTech did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Making the iPhone a killer business device
by Ryan Faas
After the release of the [iPhone 3G (and the iPhone 2 .0 update for first-generation iPhones ), I reviewed the
challenges facing corporate IT departments integrating the iPhone as a business device. In that three-part series, I
looked at how to handle mass iPhone configuration and deployments , how to configure the iPhone to function in an
Exchange environment , and the issues and rewards involved in developing custom in-house iPhone apps .One thing became clear: The iPhone is unique. While it offers numerous features, its origins as a consumer device
still leave in place a number of challenges when adopting it in the enterprise.
To its credit, Apple has dealt with a number of these issues, allowing the iPhone to be preconfigured for users,
supporting secure networking and offering Exchange support -- including Exchange security policy support and the
ability to remotely wipe a lost or stolen phone. But there's more Apple can do to meet corporate needs, from the
perspective of both IT staffers and business users.Here are 10 things that Apple could -- and should -- offer to make the iPhone a killer business device.
1. Provide expanded configuration and restriction options for administrators.Apple's iPhone Configuration Utility gives administrators a way to automatically configure a handful of features on
the iPhone. Areas like e-mail/Exchange server and account information, passcode and auto-lock policies, wireless
networking and VPN configuration, and installation of security certificates can be configured for users with
configuration profiles that can be manually loaded onto each iPhone, distributed by e-mail or hosted on a Web site.
While the options for configuration profiles cover several core areas, they're still limited. A quick look at the
iPhone's Settings application shows other areas a business might want to configure: the use of direct push or
periodic fetch for new e-mail and other data, the ability to enable Bluetooth and location services; access
restrictions on, for example, explicit content in the iPod application or built-in apps such as Safari, YouTube, the
iTunes Wi-Fi store, the built-in camera and the App Store; and security settings for Safari.
Moving beyond the Settings application itself, administrators would benefit from being able to preconfigure
additional applications, though this might be more difficult with third-party applications. Perhaps most
importantly, administrators should be able to restrict access to any installed application, particularly since
there's no way to remove any of Apple's built-in apps. What better way to really secure the device and ensure it is
used appropriately and in accordance with company policies or local laws?
2. Provide a way to enforce the use of configuration profiles.Even if you set aside the need for expanded configuration options, there's a much bigger concern for IT staffers who
are required to manage iPhones. Configuration profiles are designed to ease iPhone configuration, not to serve as
security policies that can be implemented with other platforms. End users must actively accept a configuration
profile before it can be applied to an iPhone, and they can remove a profile simply by using the iPhone's Settings
application.
This approach makes any real security or enforcement of acceptable use policies well-nigh impossible. Administrators
can't be sure that any configurations they deploy to an iPhone will be in use at any time. The inability to enforce
passcode policies on an iPhone without an Exchange environment raises security concerns.
It can also lead to support headaches if users routinely remove profiles that deliver needed configuration details,
such as for Wi-Fi or VPN access. For the iPhone to be secure and properly managed in enterprise environments, it
must offer an option for security and configuration policies that can be reliably enforced.
3. Develop over-the-air deployment for profiles.Given the limitations of working with profiles for the iPhone, Apple needs to develop a way to deploy configuration
profiles (as well as provisioning profiles to enable the installation and use of in-house applications) and make
sure they're enforced.
The current approach does not push profiles out to devices; it requires administrators to manually apply a profile
using the iPhone Configuration Utility, e-mail it to users or host it on a Web site and ask users to load it via
Safari. That alone makes initial deployment a challenge, and it makes managing profile updates even harder.
Without a staff member manually applying profiles, there's no way to ensure that an updated profile is actually
installed after it's released. This can pose headaches when pushing out security policies and ensuring that changes
to other configurations -- in particular, Wi-Fi and VPN -- are updated.
Since the iPhone supports syncing of security policies from an Exchange server, it's clearly capable of these
functions. Even if the capability isn't fully extended to all environments, providing a workable solution for
Exchange environments would be a step in the right direction.
4. Develop direct push options for platforms other than Exchange.Apple's decision to rely on Exchange as the sole method for direct push and other enterprise features for the iPhone
was a logical choice. Exchange is widely deployed, and it already offers support for direct push, groupware
functionality and security policies that Apple would need to offer to make the iPhone an enterprise-caliber smart
phone.
Using Exchange also meant that Apple didn't have to create a server solution of its own for the iPhone, as Research
In Motion (RIM) provides with the BlackBerry Enterprise Messaging Server. On the flip side, even organizations
without Exchange get access to push mail and related groupware features under RIM's model. Ironically, by relying on
Exchange, Apple excludes its own Leopard Server and its suite of calendar and collaborative tools .Providing a broader solution could give smaller organizations -- or
those that already have legacy solutions such as Novell's GroupWise -- options that are now available only via
Exchange. And it could help position the iPhone to better compete with RIM.
Ideally, Apple will provide a solution for the variety of other groupware and collaborative tools on the market in
the upcoming Snow Leopard Server , which is expected to boast enhanced collaborative tools, its own level of
Exchange integration, and at least some iPhone-specific collaborative features. But options already exist for
integrating the iPhone's direct push features without Exchange; for instance, NotifyLink integrates with a range of
mobile devices -- including the iPhone -- and mail server and groupware platforms.
5. Offer a unified in-box.Another area where RIM's BlackBerry stands out against the iPhone is with its unified in-box. The iPhone maintains
separate sets of mail folders for every configured e-mail account. While this can keep mail better organized, it's a
pain for users accessing mail from two or more accounts.
When new mail arrives, users have to navigate from a single account's in-box back to the accounts list, and then
root around among the other accounts to find new messages. This can be time-consuming and frustrating. The problem
could be solved by simply providing a single in-box or even a single set of mail folders.
6. Develop tools to create and edit Office documents.Perhaps the biggest business feature needed on the iPhone is the ability to create and edit Office documents.
Since its early releases, the iPhone has allowed users to download e-mail attachments that contain common file
formats like Word and Excel and view the contents. The list of supported file types has grown dramatically and now
includes all major Office formats as well as Apple's own iWork formats.
The problem is that the iPhone provides no way to edit these files. This is one of the biggest advantages other
smart phones offer over the iPhone. BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Palm devices all allow basic document editing,
either as a built-in feature or through third-party applications.
While not all editing features are needed, being able to make basic changes to a document on the iPhone is a sorely
needed improvement. If Apple itself can't devise a solution, it should encourage third-party app makers to develop
one.
7. Allow file storage/management on the iPhone itself.Perhaps one reason document editing isn't available on the iPhone is that it would require the device to support
some kind of file storage and management. Apple hasn't offered up any such capabilities and, in fact, seems to have
worked to prevent any way to directly store or manipulate files on the iPhone.
There is, of course, room to add applications to extend the iPhone's capabilities, with the amount of space
depending on which model you pick -- the 8GB version or the 16GB iteration. But all that room does nothing for file
storage if there's no file storage architecture on the phone.
This is a problem for business users. There is no way to use the iPhone as a hard drive to store or move files from
one computer to another -- something iPods have been able to do since they were introduced. More importantly, it
means developers cannot allow different applications to access each other's documents. While it's understandable
from a security perspective why Apple might adopt this approach, there's no practical reason it couldn't create a
single locked-down directory on the iPhone for user documents.
A number of third-party applications, including Air Sharing , DataCase and FileMagnet , already allow users to
transfer files to an iPhone using Wi-Fi networking, which proves it can be done without compromising the device. The
problem is that many of these options result in what is essentially read-only access, limiting their practical use.
8. Add copy and paste functionality.One of the iPhone's big limitations from the start has been the lack of support for copying and pasting data, either
within an application or between applications.
Copy and paste has become such an ingrained part of computing that it's shocking to imagine any platform without it.
Since it's been available on Windows Mobile and other platforms for years -- and in the third-party Magic Pad iPhone
application -- the capability clearly exists.Apple claims to have heard the cries about copy and paste but says it isn't a priority. Sure, there are more
important issues that should be addressed first, but if Apple ever offers document-editing capabilities on the
iPhone, copy and paste needs to be implemented alongside them.And even now the ability to copy and paste from e-mails, Web pages, calendar items and read-only documents would be
a boon. If the iPhone is ever to become the business kingpin it has the potential to be, this feature is a must.
9. Implement enterprise licensing for the App Store.I doubt anyone could call the App Store anything but a rousing a success. With thousands of applications easy to
access (if not always easy to find) and download, the App Store offers users a single place to get new apps and
provides a revenue stream for Apple and developers. Numerous applications in the App Store have serious business
potential.
But the entire plan for the App Store seems relentlessly consumer-centric. Access is tied to an Apple ID for billing
and is required even for free applications. Like other iTunes purchases, only five computers can be authorized for a
single Apple ID.
While this works for individuals, families and very small businesses, it doesn't scale well for businesses looking
to roll out more than a handful of iPhones. There are only two main options: centrally activate and sync all iPhones
to a handful of computers using the same set of Apple IDs, or require users to purchase and download applications on
their own with individual Apple IDs -- though these could be set up to bill to a company account. Neither option is
particularly attractive.
Apple needs to develop some sort of enterprise licensing scheme, one that allows an organization to make bulk
purchases of iPhone applications, either in a volume- or site-licensing format. Ideally, this would also include a
way to distribute the applications to all the iPhones owned by a company.
Apple does have some options. It allows ad hoc and enterprise distribution of applications created by developers
through the use of provisioning profiles that let applications run -- even if they weren't purchased from the App
Store. The problem isn't technical here; it's the payment and licensing issues across a spectrum of potential iPhone
developers that could be the stumbling block.
Interestingly enough, licensing for FMTouch, an iPhone FileMaker Pro solution, is available for enterprises and can
be done outside of the App Store. (FileMaker requires membership in the iPhone Developer program , however, to offer
enterprise licensing.) This proves enterprise licensing can be done. However, since FileMaker is an Apple
subsidiary, the logistical challenges for the company are much reduced.Another approach already used by Salesforce.com and Oracle for their iPhone applications is to tie access to an
iPhone application to an existing product license. These options may point to Apple's eventual plan to partner with,
or allow major developers access to, enterprise licensing models without providing full enterprise licensing to the
entire App Store.
10. Develop a mass deployment solution other than iTunes.One of the big iPhone challenges in any business is its tie to iTunes. This is one of the areas where the phone's
consumer orientation is most obvious.
While other smart phones may rely on desktop applications for syncing of contact, calendar and task information,
none rely on an application that is first and foremost a media player. For many businesses, providing an iPhone to
employees isn't the issue; granting access to, and indirectly encouraging the use of, iTunes is.
Apple does provide a way around this. iTunes is not required for iPhone use, only for activation and syncing. So
it's possible for activation and distribution of the iPhone to be centrally managed with no planned sync to a
desktop computer.
If your organization has an Exchange environment, users can sync most business data over the air once the iPhone is
configured with an Exchange account. However, for organizations without Exchange, users can't sync most of their
data without iTunes.
In an ideal remedy, Apple would develop an enterprise solution similar to the version of iTunes used by carriers to
activate an iPhone in the store. That would provide all iTunes' data sync options as well as the ability to back up
iPhone data -- without providing access to the iTunes Store or a media library. It could also provide a way to
distribute in-house or enterprise-licensed apps.
Or, as I noted earlier, Apple could develop a server-based answer that provides sync options for environments
without Exchange. This kind of platform could also be used to create a network version of the iPhone Configuration
Utility, allowing administrators to keep track of their corporate iPhones and push out configuration profile
updates. In effect, this would offer much the same capabilities available for managing iPhones from Exchange.
Regardless of what approach Apple takes, the challenges of mass iPhone deployment and management need to be
addressed if the iPhone is truly going to be able to unseat other devices as the smart phone of choice for business.
Where does Apple go from here?The iPhone has a lot of potential as a business device, but its ultimate success will depend on how well it responds
to the real-world needs of corporate users and IT managers. To succeed, Apple will need to prove that the iPhone is
more than a media player or a toy.
Getting developers to build business applications and providing certain core features in the iPhone interface are
only half the battle. The other half will require Apple to shake off some of its consumer-oriented thinking and
focus on the needs of enterprises when it comes to supporting and managing mobile devices.
After the release of the [iPhone 3G (and the iPhone 2 .0 update for first-generation iPhones ), I reviewed the
challenges facing corporate IT departments integrating the iPhone as a business device. In that three-part series, I
looked at how to handle mass iPhone configuration and deployments , how to configure the iPhone to function in an
Exchange environment , and the issues and rewards involved in developing custom in-house iPhone apps .One thing became clear: The iPhone is unique. While it offers numerous features, its origins as a consumer device
still leave in place a number of challenges when adopting it in the enterprise.
To its credit, Apple has dealt with a number of these issues, allowing the iPhone to be preconfigured for users,
supporting secure networking and offering Exchange support -- including Exchange security policy support and the
ability to remotely wipe a lost or stolen phone. But there's more Apple can do to meet corporate needs, from the
perspective of both IT staffers and business users.Here are 10 things that Apple could -- and should -- offer to make the iPhone a killer business device.
1. Provide expanded configuration and restriction options for administrators.Apple's iPhone Configuration Utility gives administrators a way to automatically configure a handful of features on
the iPhone. Areas like e-mail/Exchange server and account information, passcode and auto-lock policies, wireless
networking and VPN configuration, and installation of security certificates can be configured for users with
configuration profiles that can be manually loaded onto each iPhone, distributed by e-mail or hosted on a Web site.
While the options for configuration profiles cover several core areas, they're still limited. A quick look at the
iPhone's Settings application shows other areas a business might want to configure: the use of direct push or
periodic fetch for new e-mail and other data, the ability to enable Bluetooth and location services; access
restrictions on, for example, explicit content in the iPod application or built-in apps such as Safari, YouTube, the
iTunes Wi-Fi store, the built-in camera and the App Store; and security settings for Safari.
Moving beyond the Settings application itself, administrators would benefit from being able to preconfigure
additional applications, though this might be more difficult with third-party applications. Perhaps most
importantly, administrators should be able to restrict access to any installed application, particularly since
there's no way to remove any of Apple's built-in apps. What better way to really secure the device and ensure it is
used appropriately and in accordance with company policies or local laws?
2. Provide a way to enforce the use of configuration profiles.Even if you set aside the need for expanded configuration options, there's a much bigger concern for IT staffers who
are required to manage iPhones. Configuration profiles are designed to ease iPhone configuration, not to serve as
security policies that can be implemented with other platforms. End users must actively accept a configuration
profile before it can be applied to an iPhone, and they can remove a profile simply by using the iPhone's Settings
application.
This approach makes any real security or enforcement of acceptable use policies well-nigh impossible. Administrators
can't be sure that any configurations they deploy to an iPhone will be in use at any time. The inability to enforce
passcode policies on an iPhone without an Exchange environment raises security concerns.
It can also lead to support headaches if users routinely remove profiles that deliver needed configuration details,
such as for Wi-Fi or VPN access. For the iPhone to be secure and properly managed in enterprise environments, it
must offer an option for security and configuration policies that can be reliably enforced.
3. Develop over-the-air deployment for profiles.Given the limitations of working with profiles for the iPhone, Apple needs to develop a way to deploy configuration
profiles (as well as provisioning profiles to enable the installation and use of in-house applications) and make
sure they're enforced.
The current approach does not push profiles out to devices; it requires administrators to manually apply a profile
using the iPhone Configuration Utility, e-mail it to users or host it on a Web site and ask users to load it via
Safari. That alone makes initial deployment a challenge, and it makes managing profile updates even harder.
Without a staff member manually applying profiles, there's no way to ensure that an updated profile is actually
installed after it's released. This can pose headaches when pushing out security policies and ensuring that changes
to other configurations -- in particular, Wi-Fi and VPN -- are updated.
Since the iPhone supports syncing of security policies from an Exchange server, it's clearly capable of these
functions. Even if the capability isn't fully extended to all environments, providing a workable solution for
Exchange environments would be a step in the right direction.
4. Develop direct push options for platforms other than Exchange.Apple's decision to rely on Exchange as the sole method for direct push and other enterprise features for the iPhone
was a logical choice. Exchange is widely deployed, and it already offers support for direct push, groupware
functionality and security policies that Apple would need to offer to make the iPhone an enterprise-caliber smart
phone.
Using Exchange also meant that Apple didn't have to create a server solution of its own for the iPhone, as Research
In Motion (RIM) provides with the BlackBerry Enterprise Messaging Server. On the flip side, even organizations
without Exchange get access to push mail and related groupware features under RIM's model. Ironically, by relying on
Exchange, Apple excludes its own Leopard Server and its suite of calendar and collaborative tools .Providing a broader solution could give smaller organizations -- or
those that already have legacy solutions such as Novell's GroupWise -- options that are now available only via
Exchange. And it could help position the iPhone to better compete with RIM.
Ideally, Apple will provide a solution for the variety of other groupware and collaborative tools on the market in
the upcoming Snow Leopard Server , which is expected to boast enhanced collaborative tools, its own level of
Exchange integration, and at least some iPhone-specific collaborative features. But options already exist for
integrating the iPhone's direct push features without Exchange; for instance, NotifyLink integrates with a range of
mobile devices -- including the iPhone -- and mail server and groupware platforms.
5. Offer a unified in-box.Another area where RIM's BlackBerry stands out against the iPhone is with its unified in-box. The iPhone maintains
separate sets of mail folders for every configured e-mail account. While this can keep mail better organized, it's a
pain for users accessing mail from two or more accounts.
When new mail arrives, users have to navigate from a single account's in-box back to the accounts list, and then
root around among the other accounts to find new messages. This can be time-consuming and frustrating. The problem
could be solved by simply providing a single in-box or even a single set of mail folders.
6. Develop tools to create and edit Office documents.Perhaps the biggest business feature needed on the iPhone is the ability to create and edit Office documents.
Since its early releases, the iPhone has allowed users to download e-mail attachments that contain common file
formats like Word and Excel and view the contents. The list of supported file types has grown dramatically and now
includes all major Office formats as well as Apple's own iWork formats.
The problem is that the iPhone provides no way to edit these files. This is one of the biggest advantages other
smart phones offer over the iPhone. BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Palm devices all allow basic document editing,
either as a built-in feature or through third-party applications.
While not all editing features are needed, being able to make basic changes to a document on the iPhone is a sorely
needed improvement. If Apple itself can't devise a solution, it should encourage third-party app makers to develop
one.
7. Allow file storage/management on the iPhone itself.Perhaps one reason document editing isn't available on the iPhone is that it would require the device to support
some kind of file storage and management. Apple hasn't offered up any such capabilities and, in fact, seems to have
worked to prevent any way to directly store or manipulate files on the iPhone.
There is, of course, room to add applications to extend the iPhone's capabilities, with the amount of space
depending on which model you pick -- the 8GB version or the 16GB iteration. But all that room does nothing for file
storage if there's no file storage architecture on the phone.
This is a problem for business users. There is no way to use the iPhone as a hard drive to store or move files from
one computer to another -- something iPods have been able to do since they were introduced. More importantly, it
means developers cannot allow different applications to access each other's documents. While it's understandable
from a security perspective why Apple might adopt this approach, there's no practical reason it couldn't create a
single locked-down directory on the iPhone for user documents.
A number of third-party applications, including Air Sharing , DataCase and FileMagnet , already allow users to
transfer files to an iPhone using Wi-Fi networking, which proves it can be done without compromising the device. The
problem is that many of these options result in what is essentially read-only access, limiting their practical use.
8. Add copy and paste functionality.One of the iPhone's big limitations from the start has been the lack of support for copying and pasting data, either
within an application or between applications.
Copy and paste has become such an ingrained part of computing that it's shocking to imagine any platform without it.
Since it's been available on Windows Mobile and other platforms for years -- and in the third-party Magic Pad iPhone
application -- the capability clearly exists.Apple claims to have heard the cries about copy and paste but says it isn't a priority. Sure, there are more
important issues that should be addressed first, but if Apple ever offers document-editing capabilities on the
iPhone, copy and paste needs to be implemented alongside them.And even now the ability to copy and paste from e-mails, Web pages, calendar items and read-only documents would be
a boon. If the iPhone is ever to become the business kingpin it has the potential to be, this feature is a must.
9. Implement enterprise licensing for the App Store.I doubt anyone could call the App Store anything but a rousing a success. With thousands of applications easy to
access (if not always easy to find) and download, the App Store offers users a single place to get new apps and
provides a revenue stream for Apple and developers. Numerous applications in the App Store have serious business
potential.
But the entire plan for the App Store seems relentlessly consumer-centric. Access is tied to an Apple ID for billing
and is required even for free applications. Like other iTunes purchases, only five computers can be authorized for a
single Apple ID.
While this works for individuals, families and very small businesses, it doesn't scale well for businesses looking
to roll out more than a handful of iPhones. There are only two main options: centrally activate and sync all iPhones
to a handful of computers using the same set of Apple IDs, or require users to purchase and download applications on
their own with individual Apple IDs -- though these could be set up to bill to a company account. Neither option is
particularly attractive.
Apple needs to develop some sort of enterprise licensing scheme, one that allows an organization to make bulk
purchases of iPhone applications, either in a volume- or site-licensing format. Ideally, this would also include a
way to distribute the applications to all the iPhones owned by a company.
Apple does have some options. It allows ad hoc and enterprise distribution of applications created by developers
through the use of provisioning profiles that let applications run -- even if they weren't purchased from the App
Store. The problem isn't technical here; it's the payment and licensing issues across a spectrum of potential iPhone
developers that could be the stumbling block.
Interestingly enough, licensing for FMTouch, an iPhone FileMaker Pro solution, is available for enterprises and can
be done outside of the App Store. (FileMaker requires membership in the iPhone Developer program , however, to offer
enterprise licensing.) This proves enterprise licensing can be done. However, since FileMaker is an Apple
subsidiary, the logistical challenges for the company are much reduced.Another approach already used by Salesforce.com and Oracle for their iPhone applications is to tie access to an
iPhone application to an existing product license. These options may point to Apple's eventual plan to partner with,
or allow major developers access to, enterprise licensing models without providing full enterprise licensing to the
entire App Store.
10. Develop a mass deployment solution other than iTunes.One of the big iPhone challenges in any business is its tie to iTunes. This is one of the areas where the phone's
consumer orientation is most obvious.
While other smart phones may rely on desktop applications for syncing of contact, calendar and task information,
none rely on an application that is first and foremost a media player. For many businesses, providing an iPhone to
employees isn't the issue; granting access to, and indirectly encouraging the use of, iTunes is.
Apple does provide a way around this. iTunes is not required for iPhone use, only for activation and syncing. So
it's possible for activation and distribution of the iPhone to be centrally managed with no planned sync to a
desktop computer.
If your organization has an Exchange environment, users can sync most business data over the air once the iPhone is
configured with an Exchange account. However, for organizations without Exchange, users can't sync most of their
data without iTunes.
In an ideal remedy, Apple would develop an enterprise solution similar to the version of iTunes used by carriers to
activate an iPhone in the store. That would provide all iTunes' data sync options as well as the ability to back up
iPhone data -- without providing access to the iTunes Store or a media library. It could also provide a way to
distribute in-house or enterprise-licensed apps.
Or, as I noted earlier, Apple could develop a server-based answer that provides sync options for environments
without Exchange. This kind of platform could also be used to create a network version of the iPhone Configuration
Utility, allowing administrators to keep track of their corporate iPhones and push out configuration profile
updates. In effect, this would offer much the same capabilities available for managing iPhones from Exchange.
Regardless of what approach Apple takes, the challenges of mass iPhone deployment and management need to be
addressed if the iPhone is truly going to be able to unseat other devices as the smart phone of choice for business.
Where does Apple go from here?The iPhone has a lot of potential as a business device, but its ultimate success will depend on how well it responds
to the real-world needs of corporate users and IT managers. To succeed, Apple will need to prove that the iPhone is
more than a media player or a toy.
Getting developers to build business applications and providing certain core features in the iPhone interface are
only half the battle. The other half will require Apple to shake off some of its consumer-oriented thinking and
focus on the needs of enterprises when it comes to supporting and managing mobile devices.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
For Me? The Best Holiday Gifts From You to Yourself
by PC World staff
Just being you may be gift enough, but surely there are times when it isn't as easy as it looks. So show your appreciation during the gift-giving season by surprising yourself with one of these great presents. Remember, when you're buying for yourself, the thought isn't what counts!
Creative Zen X-Fi
The amazing Creative Zen X-Fi is an outstanding all-around digital music player, boasting many features that stand up nicely to the latest versions of Apple iPods. The X-Fi has great sound, superb headphones, an amazing feature set, expandable storage via an SD card slot, an easy-to-use interface that will please users who don't want to work with a touch screen, and--here's the kicker--the ability to stream and download music from your PC wirelessly. It looks great, too.
The masses may continue to think iPod first when they need a new MP3 player--but the X-Fi is an innovative, feature-packed player, and it's an absolute steal for the price.
Samsung PN50A760 HDTV
The Samsung PN50A760 HDTV combines cool multimedia capabilities and great image quality. In PC World lab tests, this Samsung plasma HDTV was the only model in its size category to earn a rating of Very Good for image quality.
At $2500, the Samsung PN50A760 is pricey. Still, you get what you pay for in image quality and extra features.
For more HDTV coverage, see "Top 46- and 47-Inch HDTVs" and "The Top 42-Inch HDTVs."
Apple iPhone 3G Smart Phone
Apple's iPhone 3G still stands in a class all its own. While this smart phone is not perfect, its lower entry price compared to the first model, 3G radio, GPS, and business-friendly security features broaden the iPhone's appeal--and cements Apple's position as a defining force in the cell phone industry. And the iPhone 3G is even relatively durable, as our video of iPhone stress tests proved.
In general, when it comes to mobile apps, Web access, and media playback, it slaughters all comers.
Sony Cybershot T700 Digital Camera
The fashionable Sony Cybershot DSC-T700 camera offers plenty of features--most of which are flat-out fun.
A trend-setter in cameras, Sony's main innovation with this good-looking touch-screen camera is its 4GB of on-board storage, as well as a few other features that may be irresistible despite the camera's $400 price tag.
The T700 also sports the highest-resolution LCD in its class. In fact, at 3.5 inches diagonally, it very nearly constitutes the entire back of the camera. Aside from the power and shutter buttons, the touch screen contains all of the camera's controls. The unit is slim and compact, too, measuring a little over a half-inch in depth and weighing a slightly heavy 5.6 ounces.
On the exterior, this camera looks cool. The T700 has a brushed-metal finish that
comes in several colors (red, pink, silver, and gray). Our test unit was gray, and out of the box its iridescence was mesmerizing: Tip it one way, it takes on a violet sheen; another direction, it becomes a slight pink or blue. It also has a neat sliding cover that's an attractive and functional design choice.
For more, see "Top 10 Point-and-Shoot Cameras."
HP Mini 1000 Netbook
The HP Mini 1000 Netbook is HP's second-generation foray into the netbook arena. This model has a couple of advantages over its predecessor, the HP 2133, which we reviewed back in early April.
Gone is the Via C-7M processor; gone, too, is the pipe dream that any current netbook could handle Windows Vista. The Mini 1000 that we received for testing runs Windows XP, and packs Intel's 1.6-GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 4200-rpm, 60GB PATA hard drive. With that configuration, it falls in with the rest of the current mini-notebook pack.
With the Mini 1000, HP does a good job keeping most of the things that worked on the 2133, while upping the performance and managing to cut prices in the process (well, not counting the beautiful, fashionista-oriented Vivienne Tam edition).
Thankfully still present in this model is the fantastic keyboard. The oversized, square keys look like they belong on a full-size laptop. In fact, the main QWERTY and number buttons are large enough to fit your entire finger. No need to carefully hunt-and-peck on this keyboard.
I found the audio impressive, and it matched my experiences with the earlier model. The ingenious top-mounted speaker also serves as a sturdy hinge for the device; this design saves space. And while I'm not one to say that you could use the Mini 1000 as some incredibly dorky boombox, it does get decent audio without turning into a crackly mess.
For more on netbooks, see our ranked "Top 5 Netbooks" chart.
Solio Battery Charger
If one of your new year's resolutions is to reduce your carbon footprint, try a solar-powered battery charger. With the Solio solar-powered charger, all you need is the sun to keep your gadgets' batteries filled to the brim. The Solio will charge all your devices, from phones and iPods, to digital cameras, to game players and GPS. Charging the Solio for an hour in the sun will provide about 25 minutes of phone talk time.
Linksys WRT610N Dual-N Band Wireless Router
The previous version of the Linksys WRT610N router was one of the first draft-802.11n Wi-Fi routers to support simultaneous 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz networks, making it a great choice for supporting both legacy Wi-Fi gear and future streaming media devices.
Linksys has updated that dual-band wireless-N unit with this model, the WRT610N. With USB drive sharing as a bonus, this router can support 2.4-GHz legacy devices and 5-GHz clients simultaneously.
In PC World tests, the previous generation Linksys outperformed five other routers that we tested at the same time in overall speed and range.
For more, see "The Truth About Superfast Draft-N."
HP TouchSmart All-in-One PC
HP nailed the design aesthetic with this 22-inch TouchSmart All-in-One: This model would look equally at home in your living room, bedroom, or office. It comes with five USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire port, gigabit ethernet, a slot-loading DVD player, an S-Video input, and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in.
For even more elbow room, HP recently released a 25.5-inch model.
Paying the $1500 price buys you a system with classy design, the versatility to handle everyday tasks, and the ability to do some light multimedia lifting. It doesn't have enough oomph to serve as a gaming or graphics PC, but it pulls ahead of other recent all-in-ones with its ability to handle most productivity tasks easily.
For more desktop PC reviews, see "Top 10 Value PCs."
Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS Device
The compact Garmin Nuvi 360's accuracy, features, and battery life make it a great value.
You get first-rate maps and an intuitive interface (with features like 3D maps and pronunciation of street names).
The Nuvi's SiRF Star III GPS transceiver latches onto satellite signals quickly, and the routes the device suggested were timely and accurate. The device's smallish (3.5-inch diagonal) display can't fit in the amount of information shown on devices with 4.3-inch screens; it is easy to read even in bright sunlight, however, and the touch-screen controls make entering street addresses and changing settings quick and simple. The unit's Safe mode (off by default) prevents you from changing certain settings, to help you avoid getting distracted while driving. You can enter a code to prevent unauthorized use, too
Just being you may be gift enough, but surely there are times when it isn't as easy as it looks. So show your appreciation during the gift-giving season by surprising yourself with one of these great presents. Remember, when you're buying for yourself, the thought isn't what counts!
Creative Zen X-Fi
The amazing Creative Zen X-Fi is an outstanding all-around digital music player, boasting many features that stand up nicely to the latest versions of Apple iPods. The X-Fi has great sound, superb headphones, an amazing feature set, expandable storage via an SD card slot, an easy-to-use interface that will please users who don't want to work with a touch screen, and--here's the kicker--the ability to stream and download music from your PC wirelessly. It looks great, too.
The masses may continue to think iPod first when they need a new MP3 player--but the X-Fi is an innovative, feature-packed player, and it's an absolute steal for the price.
Samsung PN50A760 HDTV
The Samsung PN50A760 HDTV combines cool multimedia capabilities and great image quality. In PC World lab tests, this Samsung plasma HDTV was the only model in its size category to earn a rating of Very Good for image quality.
At $2500, the Samsung PN50A760 is pricey. Still, you get what you pay for in image quality and extra features.
For more HDTV coverage, see "Top 46- and 47-Inch HDTVs" and "The Top 42-Inch HDTVs."
Apple iPhone 3G Smart Phone
Apple's iPhone 3G still stands in a class all its own. While this smart phone is not perfect, its lower entry price compared to the first model, 3G radio, GPS, and business-friendly security features broaden the iPhone's appeal--and cements Apple's position as a defining force in the cell phone industry. And the iPhone 3G is even relatively durable, as our video of iPhone stress tests proved.
In general, when it comes to mobile apps, Web access, and media playback, it slaughters all comers.
Sony Cybershot T700 Digital Camera
The fashionable Sony Cybershot DSC-T700 camera offers plenty of features--most of which are flat-out fun.
A trend-setter in cameras, Sony's main innovation with this good-looking touch-screen camera is its 4GB of on-board storage, as well as a few other features that may be irresistible despite the camera's $400 price tag.
The T700 also sports the highest-resolution LCD in its class. In fact, at 3.5 inches diagonally, it very nearly constitutes the entire back of the camera. Aside from the power and shutter buttons, the touch screen contains all of the camera's controls. The unit is slim and compact, too, measuring a little over a half-inch in depth and weighing a slightly heavy 5.6 ounces.
On the exterior, this camera looks cool. The T700 has a brushed-metal finish that
comes in several colors (red, pink, silver, and gray). Our test unit was gray, and out of the box its iridescence was mesmerizing: Tip it one way, it takes on a violet sheen; another direction, it becomes a slight pink or blue. It also has a neat sliding cover that's an attractive and functional design choice.
For more, see "Top 10 Point-and-Shoot Cameras."
HP Mini 1000 Netbook
The HP Mini 1000 Netbook is HP's second-generation foray into the netbook arena. This model has a couple of advantages over its predecessor, the HP 2133, which we reviewed back in early April.
Gone is the Via C-7M processor; gone, too, is the pipe dream that any current netbook could handle Windows Vista. The Mini 1000 that we received for testing runs Windows XP, and packs Intel's 1.6-GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 4200-rpm, 60GB PATA hard drive. With that configuration, it falls in with the rest of the current mini-notebook pack.
With the Mini 1000, HP does a good job keeping most of the things that worked on the 2133, while upping the performance and managing to cut prices in the process (well, not counting the beautiful, fashionista-oriented Vivienne Tam edition).
Thankfully still present in this model is the fantastic keyboard. The oversized, square keys look like they belong on a full-size laptop. In fact, the main QWERTY and number buttons are large enough to fit your entire finger. No need to carefully hunt-and-peck on this keyboard.
I found the audio impressive, and it matched my experiences with the earlier model. The ingenious top-mounted speaker also serves as a sturdy hinge for the device; this design saves space. And while I'm not one to say that you could use the Mini 1000 as some incredibly dorky boombox, it does get decent audio without turning into a crackly mess.
For more on netbooks, see our ranked "Top 5 Netbooks" chart.
Solio Battery Charger
If one of your new year's resolutions is to reduce your carbon footprint, try a solar-powered battery charger. With the Solio solar-powered charger, all you need is the sun to keep your gadgets' batteries filled to the brim. The Solio will charge all your devices, from phones and iPods, to digital cameras, to game players and GPS. Charging the Solio for an hour in the sun will provide about 25 minutes of phone talk time.
Linksys WRT610N Dual-N Band Wireless Router
The previous version of the Linksys WRT610N router was one of the first draft-802.11n Wi-Fi routers to support simultaneous 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz networks, making it a great choice for supporting both legacy Wi-Fi gear and future streaming media devices.
Linksys has updated that dual-band wireless-N unit with this model, the WRT610N. With USB drive sharing as a bonus, this router can support 2.4-GHz legacy devices and 5-GHz clients simultaneously.
In PC World tests, the previous generation Linksys outperformed five other routers that we tested at the same time in overall speed and range.
For more, see "The Truth About Superfast Draft-N."
HP TouchSmart All-in-One PC
HP nailed the design aesthetic with this 22-inch TouchSmart All-in-One: This model would look equally at home in your living room, bedroom, or office. It comes with five USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire port, gigabit ethernet, a slot-loading DVD player, an S-Video input, and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in.
For even more elbow room, HP recently released a 25.5-inch model.
Paying the $1500 price buys you a system with classy design, the versatility to handle everyday tasks, and the ability to do some light multimedia lifting. It doesn't have enough oomph to serve as a gaming or graphics PC, but it pulls ahead of other recent all-in-ones with its ability to handle most productivity tasks easily.
For more desktop PC reviews, see "Top 10 Value PCs."
Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS Device
The compact Garmin Nuvi 360's accuracy, features, and battery life make it a great value.
You get first-rate maps and an intuitive interface (with features like 3D maps and pronunciation of street names).
The Nuvi's SiRF Star III GPS transceiver latches onto satellite signals quickly, and the routes the device suggested were timely and accurate. The device's smallish (3.5-inch diagonal) display can't fit in the amount of information shown on devices with 4.3-inch screens; it is easy to read even in bright sunlight, however, and the touch-screen controls make entering street addresses and changing settings quick and simple. The unit's Safe mode (off by default) prevents you from changing certain settings, to help you avoid getting distracted while driving. You can enter a code to prevent unauthorized use, too
Monday, December 8, 2008
Eight easy steps to iPhone security
by Tom Yager
As someone who's been around the block a few times with mobile technology, I get a kick out of lengthy treatises on the practices one should follow to keep the information on your iPhone secure. They follow a commonsense pattern: Use a PIN, set the device to auto-lock after a minimal delay, set it to blank itself after a limited number of invalid unlock attempts, block access to the App Store, use Safari's security defaults, and use WPA2 security for Wi-Fi. This is helpful, but it isn't enough. Users of the iPhone, and mobile devices in general, deserve the big picture regarding the balance of security and convenience.
When you leave the store with your shiny new phone, you accept sole responsibility to protect your investment. It's not the manufacturer's or seller's job to keep your property safe. They've built in mechanisms that, if used as documented, will reasonably protect your phone and the information it contains. If the phone gets swiped, pillaged, or vandalized, it is either your fault or bad luck, and when bad luck plays a hand, it's likely that you contributed to the circumstances. Here are eight uncommon things you can do to steer the odds in your favor.
[ Follow these links for more on iPhone: " iPhone 3G enterprise scores are in," " Why iPhone won't yet rule the roost in the enterprise," " How to make the new iPhone work at work," and " Top 10 iPhone apps for the techie." ]
1. First and foremost, never, ever leave your iPhone unlocked. You've heard that, but you haven't heard how to make it painless: Practice. Whenever you'd ordinarily be bending paper clips or generally goofing off at work, sit in your chair and lock and unlock your phone over and over again until it's as natural as twiddling your thumbs. Practice with your nondominant hand. Practice with one hand concealing the other. Practice with your eyes closed. Practice with the display facing the floor. When entering your PIN becomes ingrained into muscle memory, you'll never be tempted to disable the lock to save time, and even sharp-eyed shoulder surfers can't watch you enter your PIN. As a bonus, you will never forget your PIN. Try it; it works.
2. Keep up with Apple firmware updates. Apple's well-publicized flaw that allowed access to the address book via the emergency call mechanism was repaired, but only if you applied the patch. Unfortunately, Apple requires the use of desktop tools for firmware updates: Users must run Apple Software Update on their Mac or PC to grab them from iTunes when they become available. I think that's poor design, especially when BlackBerry and Android demonstrate the ease with which OTA updates can be performed. In an enterprise setting where OTA firmware updates aren't possible, IT should send iPhone users a broadcast SMS alerting them that they
need to dock to iTunes to load an urgent fix. When running iTunes at a work desktop is forbidden by policy (as it should be), easy access to IT-controlled update stations should be arranged.
3. Put your iPhone on a leash. Keeping your phone with you provides the only impenetrable shield against theft or tampering. A comfortable, fashionable holster that suits your style makes it less likely that you'll nonchalantly toss your phone in your bag when you leave the house. Don't choose a jacket pocket, a backpack compartment, or any container from which you walk away. In the same vein, don't let anyone borrow your iPhone. Even your best friend could leave your iPhone, take out his curiosity on your device, or get hoodwinked by a malicious hacker. Treat your iPhone as you do your wallet.
4. Secure your iTunes host. Your PIN affords you little protection if someone gets hold of your computer. That's because your PC or Mac keeps a complete image of the flash memory in your iPhone. From this recovery image, a skilled hacker could read all of the data on the phone. It only takes a few seconds to move that firmware image from your disk to a thumb drive. And it takes little time or skill to replace that image with one that can reflash your iPhone's firmware with something nasty. The smartest way to go is to keep your iPhone backups on your own thumb drive. This makes automatic restores and updates slightly more challenging, but it's worth it.
5. Don't jailbreak your iPhone. The iPhone jailbreak process purposely disarms the mechanisms that Apple created to protect your data. With App Store, a trusted party tests and vouches for the software, and Apple can trigger an uninstall of an app if a risk is discovered later. The protections offered by open source projects --multiple contributors, readily viewable code, and a central location for comments and fixes -- don't exist in the jailbreak world. I'll grant that jailbreaking an iPod Touch or a retired iPhone can be good fun. Relying on a jailbroken iPhone as your primary mobile device is idiotic.
It's so quick and easy to jailbreak an iPhone that it takes a minimum of social engineering to trick a trusting user into bypassing Apple's built-in guard against modified firmware. It's a simple sell: By holding down one key while clicking Restore, you don't waste time waiting for new firmware to download from Apple. Don't fall for it. Always download firmware directly from Apple.
6. Hide sensitive data in plain sight. The iPhone has no device-wide data encryption. It does support encrypted databases, but the inconvenience of having to unlock the data every time you want to read it may limit your use of it. As an alternative, hide some of your most sensitive data in plain sight by scattering it across nonobvious places, like your iPod library and browser bookmarks. Embed what you really need to protect in nontext form, such as buried among lots of images or audio, to avoid discovery by string scanning of your desktop or firmware. As a bonus (or not, in some cases), using iPod files syncs your secrets across iPod, iTunes, MobileMe, and AppleTV.
7. Use FileVault on the Mac or EFS on Vista. On a Mac, create a separate user account with a strong password, apply FileVault protection (using System Preferences), and activate and manage your iPhone exclusively from that account. If you never leave that account logged in, you can reinforce other desktop protection methods or skip them entirely. On Windows Vista, consider using Encrypted File System (EFS) to encrypt the entire iTunes file tree. Neither of these methods protects data on your iPhone, but it does guard against insertion of doctored firmware or simple copying of data.
8. If you use the iPhone professionally, use Exchange Server for its back end. Exchange Server keeps backups of all messages and mail settings, and most important in my book, it supports remote device blanking. In fact, Exchange is the only way to blank a remote iPhone. One drawback of remote blanking from Exchange Server is that it takes several hours -- eight, by Apple's estimation. But because the mail client is always running, a remote blank can only be circumvented if the thief is smart enough to disable your Exchange account before you discover your iPhone is missing. That's something he can't do because, of course, you've PIN-locked your device. Make sure that you or your IT department knows how to blank your device, and don't be shy about triggering a remote blank even if you just suspect your device is missing. You can always recover your data if you find your device.
Several service providers offer hosted Exchange Servers for a small monthly fee. Call to make sure that the provider offers either Exchange Server 2003 with mobile extensions or Exchange Server 2007, and ask whether users are allowed access to Exchange Server's management console. Without management console access, you can't remotely blank your phone.
Apple designed the iPhone as a consumer device, so it's heavy on convenience and light on security. If you want protection, you have to accept some pain. Fortunately, it doesn't take a lot of time or tech savvy to keep what's in your iPhone for your eyes only. The oft-repeated recommendations alluded to in the beginning of this story are all worthwhile, but if you augment them creatively, you'll befuddle the bad guys with techniques they hadn't considered and that don't yield to automated cracks. Never overlook unorthodoxy as a means of protection
As someone who's been around the block a few times with mobile technology, I get a kick out of lengthy treatises on the practices one should follow to keep the information on your iPhone secure. They follow a commonsense pattern: Use a PIN, set the device to auto-lock after a minimal delay, set it to blank itself after a limited number of invalid unlock attempts, block access to the App Store, use Safari's security defaults, and use WPA2 security for Wi-Fi. This is helpful, but it isn't enough. Users of the iPhone, and mobile devices in general, deserve the big picture regarding the balance of security and convenience.
When you leave the store with your shiny new phone, you accept sole responsibility to protect your investment. It's not the manufacturer's or seller's job to keep your property safe. They've built in mechanisms that, if used as documented, will reasonably protect your phone and the information it contains. If the phone gets swiped, pillaged, or vandalized, it is either your fault or bad luck, and when bad luck plays a hand, it's likely that you contributed to the circumstances. Here are eight uncommon things you can do to steer the odds in your favor.
[ Follow these links for more on iPhone: " iPhone 3G enterprise scores are in," " Why iPhone won't yet rule the roost in the enterprise," " How to make the new iPhone work at work," and " Top 10 iPhone apps for the techie." ]
1. First and foremost, never, ever leave your iPhone unlocked. You've heard that, but you haven't heard how to make it painless: Practice. Whenever you'd ordinarily be bending paper clips or generally goofing off at work, sit in your chair and lock and unlock your phone over and over again until it's as natural as twiddling your thumbs. Practice with your nondominant hand. Practice with one hand concealing the other. Practice with your eyes closed. Practice with the display facing the floor. When entering your PIN becomes ingrained into muscle memory, you'll never be tempted to disable the lock to save time, and even sharp-eyed shoulder surfers can't watch you enter your PIN. As a bonus, you will never forget your PIN. Try it; it works.
2. Keep up with Apple firmware updates. Apple's well-publicized flaw that allowed access to the address book via the emergency call mechanism was repaired, but only if you applied the patch. Unfortunately, Apple requires the use of desktop tools for firmware updates: Users must run Apple Software Update on their Mac or PC to grab them from iTunes when they become available. I think that's poor design, especially when BlackBerry and Android demonstrate the ease with which OTA updates can be performed. In an enterprise setting where OTA firmware updates aren't possible, IT should send iPhone users a broadcast SMS alerting them that they
need to dock to iTunes to load an urgent fix. When running iTunes at a work desktop is forbidden by policy (as it should be), easy access to IT-controlled update stations should be arranged.
3. Put your iPhone on a leash. Keeping your phone with you provides the only impenetrable shield against theft or tampering. A comfortable, fashionable holster that suits your style makes it less likely that you'll nonchalantly toss your phone in your bag when you leave the house. Don't choose a jacket pocket, a backpack compartment, or any container from which you walk away. In the same vein, don't let anyone borrow your iPhone. Even your best friend could leave your iPhone, take out his curiosity on your device, or get hoodwinked by a malicious hacker. Treat your iPhone as you do your wallet.
4. Secure your iTunes host. Your PIN affords you little protection if someone gets hold of your computer. That's because your PC or Mac keeps a complete image of the flash memory in your iPhone. From this recovery image, a skilled hacker could read all of the data on the phone. It only takes a few seconds to move that firmware image from your disk to a thumb drive. And it takes little time or skill to replace that image with one that can reflash your iPhone's firmware with something nasty. The smartest way to go is to keep your iPhone backups on your own thumb drive. This makes automatic restores and updates slightly more challenging, but it's worth it.
5. Don't jailbreak your iPhone. The iPhone jailbreak process purposely disarms the mechanisms that Apple created to protect your data. With App Store, a trusted party tests and vouches for the software, and Apple can trigger an uninstall of an app if a risk is discovered later. The protections offered by open source projects --multiple contributors, readily viewable code, and a central location for comments and fixes -- don't exist in the jailbreak world. I'll grant that jailbreaking an iPod Touch or a retired iPhone can be good fun. Relying on a jailbroken iPhone as your primary mobile device is idiotic.
It's so quick and easy to jailbreak an iPhone that it takes a minimum of social engineering to trick a trusting user into bypassing Apple's built-in guard against modified firmware. It's a simple sell: By holding down one key while clicking Restore, you don't waste time waiting for new firmware to download from Apple. Don't fall for it. Always download firmware directly from Apple.
6. Hide sensitive data in plain sight. The iPhone has no device-wide data encryption. It does support encrypted databases, but the inconvenience of having to unlock the data every time you want to read it may limit your use of it. As an alternative, hide some of your most sensitive data in plain sight by scattering it across nonobvious places, like your iPod library and browser bookmarks. Embed what you really need to protect in nontext form, such as buried among lots of images or audio, to avoid discovery by string scanning of your desktop or firmware. As a bonus (or not, in some cases), using iPod files syncs your secrets across iPod, iTunes, MobileMe, and AppleTV.
7. Use FileVault on the Mac or EFS on Vista. On a Mac, create a separate user account with a strong password, apply FileVault protection (using System Preferences), and activate and manage your iPhone exclusively from that account. If you never leave that account logged in, you can reinforce other desktop protection methods or skip them entirely. On Windows Vista, consider using Encrypted File System (EFS) to encrypt the entire iTunes file tree. Neither of these methods protects data on your iPhone, but it does guard against insertion of doctored firmware or simple copying of data.
8. If you use the iPhone professionally, use Exchange Server for its back end. Exchange Server keeps backups of all messages and mail settings, and most important in my book, it supports remote device blanking. In fact, Exchange is the only way to blank a remote iPhone. One drawback of remote blanking from Exchange Server is that it takes several hours -- eight, by Apple's estimation. But because the mail client is always running, a remote blank can only be circumvented if the thief is smart enough to disable your Exchange account before you discover your iPhone is missing. That's something he can't do because, of course, you've PIN-locked your device. Make sure that you or your IT department knows how to blank your device, and don't be shy about triggering a remote blank even if you just suspect your device is missing. You can always recover your data if you find your device.
Several service providers offer hosted Exchange Servers for a small monthly fee. Call to make sure that the provider offers either Exchange Server 2003 with mobile extensions or Exchange Server 2007, and ask whether users are allowed access to Exchange Server's management console. Without management console access, you can't remotely blank your phone.
Apple designed the iPhone as a consumer device, so it's heavy on convenience and light on security. If you want protection, you have to accept some pain. Fortunately, it doesn't take a lot of time or tech savvy to keep what's in your iPhone for your eyes only. The oft-repeated recommendations alluded to in the beginning of this story are all worthwhile, but if you augment them creatively, you'll befuddle the bad guys with techniques they hadn't considered and that don't yield to automated cracks. Never overlook unorthodoxy as a means of protection
Friday, December 5, 2008
AT&T hopes for single smartphone OS
by Stephen Lawson
AT&T hopes to standardize on a single operating system for AT&T-branded smartphones as part of a "dramatic consolidation" of its mobile platforms over the next few years, a company executive said Thursday.
The mobile operator believes smartphones will make up the largest portion of devices connecting to its network by about 2014, and it wants to avoid the fragmentation of platforms that has made it hard to develop mobile applications, said Roger Smith, director of next generation services, data product realization at AT&T. Speaking at the Symbian Partner Event in San Francisco, he said Symbian is "a very credible and likely candidate" to become that one operating system.
The consolidation effort is focused on a completely AT&T-branded smartphone, distinct from the iPhone and other products that may use AT&T's network, Smith said in an interview following his speech. The iPhone is actually a third-party device that takes advantage of AT&T services, such as voice, voicemail and SMS (Short Message Service), he said.
If there are AT&T-branded smartphones on many different platforms, "Whose support nightmare is that? It's ours," Smith said.
The event is taking place at a time of transition for Symbian and the whole mobile industry. On Tuesday, Nokia completed its acquisition of Symbian, the latest step in a process that eventually will make Symbian an open-source operating system under the planned Symbian Foundation. That foundation can now enter operational mode, beginning efforts such as recruitment, and Thursday's event probably is the last one put on by Symbian itself, said Jorgen Behrens, Symbian's executive vice president of marketing. The consortium, of which Nokia has been the largest shareholder, has been overseeing the operating system since 1998.
The mobile industry hasn't been effective at offering compelling user experiences, and one key problem has been fragmentation, AT&T's Smith said. AT&T has placed a lot of emphasis on Java as a platform for mobile applications but has ended up with a fragmented platform, he said, adding that the carrier hasn't managed Java well. There are many more operating systems for mobile phones than for PCs, even within a single manufacturer or carrier, and Java was once seen as a tool to simplify developing applications for all those platforms. But as in the PC universe, it has come under criticism for not fulfilling that promise.
In addition, Java doesn't allow developers to go deeply enough into a phone's software stack to deliver the kinds of experiences customers want, Smith said. So instead of trying to solve Java's fragmentation, AT&T will try to standardize on as few operating systems as possible, and preferably open platforms, he said. That will give third-party developers more opportunity to reach AT&T subscribers with mobile applications, he said.
Mobile data services could "out-value" the Web by adding location awareness and personalized search, Smith said. But as the economy sags and subscriber growth in the U.S. slows, carriers can't keep relying on pulling more revenue out of subscribers to pay for it, he said. AT&T will push for many more advertising-based services over the next year or two, he said. Other possibilities include mobile banking and shopping services that generate transaction fees, and business-to-consumer or business-to-business applications in areas such as health care or transportation. Businesses themselves would pay for those in order to realize greater efficiencies, he said.
AT&T hopes to standardize on a single operating system for AT&T-branded smartphones as part of a "dramatic consolidation" of its mobile platforms over the next few years, a company executive said Thursday.
The mobile operator believes smartphones will make up the largest portion of devices connecting to its network by about 2014, and it wants to avoid the fragmentation of platforms that has made it hard to develop mobile applications, said Roger Smith, director of next generation services, data product realization at AT&T. Speaking at the Symbian Partner Event in San Francisco, he said Symbian is "a very credible and likely candidate" to become that one operating system.
The consolidation effort is focused on a completely AT&T-branded smartphone, distinct from the iPhone and other products that may use AT&T's network, Smith said in an interview following his speech. The iPhone is actually a third-party device that takes advantage of AT&T services, such as voice, voicemail and SMS (Short Message Service), he said.
If there are AT&T-branded smartphones on many different platforms, "Whose support nightmare is that? It's ours," Smith said.
The event is taking place at a time of transition for Symbian and the whole mobile industry. On Tuesday, Nokia completed its acquisition of Symbian, the latest step in a process that eventually will make Symbian an open-source operating system under the planned Symbian Foundation. That foundation can now enter operational mode, beginning efforts such as recruitment, and Thursday's event probably is the last one put on by Symbian itself, said Jorgen Behrens, Symbian's executive vice president of marketing. The consortium, of which Nokia has been the largest shareholder, has been overseeing the operating system since 1998.
The mobile industry hasn't been effective at offering compelling user experiences, and one key problem has been fragmentation, AT&T's Smith said. AT&T has placed a lot of emphasis on Java as a platform for mobile applications but has ended up with a fragmented platform, he said, adding that the carrier hasn't managed Java well. There are many more operating systems for mobile phones than for PCs, even within a single manufacturer or carrier, and Java was once seen as a tool to simplify developing applications for all those platforms. But as in the PC universe, it has come under criticism for not fulfilling that promise.
In addition, Java doesn't allow developers to go deeply enough into a phone's software stack to deliver the kinds of experiences customers want, Smith said. So instead of trying to solve Java's fragmentation, AT&T will try to standardize on as few operating systems as possible, and preferably open platforms, he said. That will give third-party developers more opportunity to reach AT&T subscribers with mobile applications, he said.
Mobile data services could "out-value" the Web by adding location awareness and personalized search, Smith said. But as the economy sags and subscriber growth in the U.S. slows, carriers can't keep relying on pulling more revenue out of subscribers to pay for it, he said. AT&T will push for many more advertising-based services over the next year or two, he said. Other possibilities include mobile banking and shopping services that generate transaction fees, and business-to-consumer or business-to-business applications in areas such as health care or transportation. Businesses themselves would pay for those in order to realize greater efficiencies, he said.
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