Just a bit of information for all of you out there.  I used the update feature on the Iris Browser on my phone and guess what?  It found an update to 1.1.9.  Below are the updates from the official blog.

I prefer the Iris browser to Internet Explorer Mobile 6, Opera, or SkyFire.  I don’t have to have all the fancy, smancy stuff.  I just want a browser that is easy to read.  I do wish for some different navigation functions; but all in all, it is the browser that I use the most.  It is really great for google reader and gmail.  Check it out for yourself and see if you like it too.

Iris browser download

Recently we’ve been hearing about a horde of new Android devices, waiting to cross the alps, and conquer the modern world. Just like Hannibal. I haven’t had the chance to to check out any Android devices, Advertising though fascinates me, and this promo video, sent in by long time reader Knaak, not in English, is beautiful. You don’t have to understand what’s being said, or for that matter read, It’s a really smooth Ad

Samsung are rolling out their latest, first, Android phone, it looks good, and it takes the pressure off of HTC

Above all I’m fascinated by the great animation, …. Go Figure?

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I have had the opportunity to use and review a number of HTC branded devices, including both touch screen and non-touch based interfaces.  Regardless of the platform, the one consistent complaint I have had with every device has been the lack of a built-in 3.5 mm headphone jack.  Instead, every device has included an adaptor, which connects to the miniUSB jack.  These adaptors have generally been unnecessarily large and bulky, oftentimes longer and thicker than the phone itself. 

Apparently, new devices after the launch of the HTC Hero (which is an Android –based device) are expected to include a built-in headphone jack.  This is a fantastic development, which should really impact usability in a positive way.  No word on when we will start seeing this change, however, it is pretty clear that devices which have already been announced, including the: Touch Pro 2, Diamond 2, and Snap, among others, will not have the new jack.  So…it may be a while.

This is a step which HTC should have taken long ago, but it is nice to see they finally getting there…eventually.

[via Engadget Mobile]

I pretty much live my life in the Cloud.  I use Gmail for my email, I keep track of my schedule with Google Calendar, and I switch between Windows Live and Google for my contacts.  I have to say…this all works great for me.  With one small exception.  How the heck do I get this all down to my Windows Mobile device?   The answer, as I learned recently…is NuevaSync.

Now, I realize that Nuevasync is not exactly new.  In fact, we have told you about it before, just a few months ago.  But I wanted to take a minute to tell you why it is now my sync option of choice.  Until now, I had tried a few different options:

• Google Sync: Which is the official way to sync with Google.  Nice, but can only sync one Google calendar at a time
• Oggsync: Which worked well, but costs a fortune
• GooSync: Which worked great for me in the past, but stopped working when I got a new device…and also costs $40/year.

So, what is so great about Nuevasync?  First it is free.  And you can do quite a bit with that free account.  Though if you prefer a little extra power (including push email from Gmail) then sign up for the Pro version.  At $25 a year, it is still the cheapest option around.  And let me tell you, I have been using the push email all day today, and have been utterly impressed by it.  Emails show up almost instantly, and it has had almost no affect on my battery life.  Let me say that again…unlike many push services, it did not drain the battery on my HTC Snap.

I was also impressed by the sync options.  With the free calendar, you can sync up to 11 Google calendars.  That is just incredible.  Most services require you to pay for a subscription if you want to sync more than one.  With Nuevasync, you get 11 free, and unlimited calendars for $25/year.  You can also sync your contacts, either with Google or with Plaxo.  Which is very unique.  I have used Plaxo in the past and really liked it a lot (though they have made some changes lately which do not work as well for me).   Unfortunately, you must buy the $60/year Pro version in order to sync with a mobile device.  Or…just sign up for Nuevasync.  They’ll take care of that for free.  That is just about enough to make me hop back onto Plaxo.  Or, if you prefer, Nuevasync can also sync directly with your Google Contacts in Gmail.

I already mentioned the Push mail from Gmail, which is the newest feature to be added to the service.  Right now, you can only push from one email account, though I am told multiple email accounts may be coming soon.  Also, although there is spot to sign up for task synchronization, that feature is not yet enabled.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be coming soon…and maybe include Toodledo among its list of sync options.

OK.  So that takes care of what this little program can do.  But let me tell you the real reason I am now a fan for life.  When I signed up yesterday afternoon, I had some problems connecting it to Activesync on my HTC Snap.  So, I sent an email to their support team.  Within hours, I had a response.  Not from one of their support people or technicians, but from David Boreham, the creator of Nuevasync.  Pretty impressive.  And this was not just some thanks for your comment email.  He had already researched the problem and found a solution.   I emailed some more with David about the service throughout the day.  A few hours later, when I ran into a second problem with push email, David was immediately responsive again.  I went to bed after corresponding with David, and when I woke up in the morning, there was already a message stating that they had found the problem and my account had been fixed.  In fact, not only was it fixed, I had somehow managed to uncover a rare bug (which they repaired).  And everything has been smooth sailing since then.

In order to sync with your device, Nuevasync will set itself up as an Exchange server in Activesync.  I though it was a bit of a shame the Nuevasync had to use Activesync in order to connect.  Activesync has enough of its own problems; so, it would be nice if, like GooSync and others, it Nuevasync could bypass Activesync and create its own connection to the server.  This would offer more flexibility and control.  I will also be anxiously awaiting the arrival of more sync options, including: tasks (again, consider this my official request for Toodledo), multiple push email accounts and hopefully plenty more. 

If you are a Google user and want to sync your device with your Google accounts (or Plaxo) then check out Nuevasync at www.nuevasync.com, and write back in to let us know what you think.

We wanted to send out a very Happy Birthday to our fabulous JAMM team member TJ!!!  When TJ is not busy here at JAMM, he spends his days working for Micro Center in Texas.  He’s become the team hardware tech rep answering all of our crazy questions.  So, may your birthday be filled with lots of fun, and no one looking for tech help.  Thanks for all you do.  Happy Birthday!!!