Smartphone & Pocket PC Magazine Stops The Presses

Posted by: dgoldring on Aug 26 2008 - 20 views

I received some sad news today from Hal Goldstein, the Publisher of Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine.  It seems that this fall will mark the end of the run for the only magazine which was completely dedicated to the Windows Mobile platform.  According to Goldstein, they decided to suspend publication after 11 years, because:

It has become harder and harder to grow our circulation over the past three years since Windows Mobile changed from being PDAs to being phones. Pocket PC manufacturers like HP used to work with us to offer their customers a free issue of our magazine in their packaging. The phone companies have not shown similar interest in working with us.

The other business challenge has been the lack of advertising sponsorship from Microsoft, phone companies, and OEMs, despite our coverage of their products. In order for us to sell subscriptions at current low consumer magazine-type prices, we must have a stronger and growing circulation, and we much attract the large advertisers who benefit the most from our existence.

I have personally been involved with the magazine through their Best of the Year Software Awards, in which I was a judge.  I found the staff at the magazine to be some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated Windows Mobile users around, and the loss of the magazine will certainly leave a void in the Windows Mobile community.  While I will still anticipate the next issue of Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine, I will read it with the sadness of knowing it will be my last. 

For more information, check out Hal’s post explaining his reasons for suspending publication over at Smartphonemag.com.  There, you can also learn about the new iPhone Life publication, and the Knowledge Bundle he is now offering. 

After you read all of that, chime in here and let us know your thoughts.  I am sure many of you were subscribers.  What will you miss?  Do you see this as an indication of the direction the industry in general is moving?  Let us know.

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Navigon Announces the 7200T Premium GPS Device

Posted by: dgoldring on Aug 26 2008 - 9 views

 

I have written quite a bit about the Navigon line of GPS devices.  I’ve been extremely impressed by the offerings in the past.  This latest entry, however, has the potential to complete blow me away.  In addition to all of the fantastic features Navigon has offered in the past, they are now introducing Landmark View. 

Landmark View3 joins Reality View as part of the unique 3-D interface that Navigon GPS devices have always offered.  Landmark View will display hundreds of richly-textured 3D landmarks across the U.S. and Canada like the Empire State Building and the White House.

The new Navigon 7200T is expected to be available in the United States and Canada in October 2008.  It will retail for $449.

For more information, visit www.navigon.com or www.experiencenavigon.com.

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Buzzwire Takes You Straight From The Olympics To The White House

Posted by: dgoldring on Aug 24 2008 - 7 views

As I write this, I am watching the closing ceremonies of the 2008 summer games.  It is a little bittersweet.  I am a real summer games person, and I love watching the summer Olympics.  Then again, after two weeks and hundreds of hours, I am pretty much ready to be done with swimming, gymnastics, and running for a while. 

Of course, as soon as the Olympics close, a race of a different kind begins, with the Democratic Convention kicking off in Denver, to be followed quickly by the Republicans as the two month final sprint for the White House begins.

I just got an email from my friends at Buzzwire indicating that they are launching a new Democratic National Convention channel for your mobile phone (no word on whether a Republican National Convention Channel will follow.)

The new channel will provide special DNC coverage featuring reports from Barely Political’s Obama Girl, convention news updates from Political Lunch, man-on-the-street interviews and video from after-hours parties and hot spots around Denver.

Anyone with a video-enabled mobile phone can gain access to the special Buzzwire political channel through m.buzzwire.com on their phone or http://app.buzzwire.com on the web.

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Station Break: The Bangles

Posted by: dgoldring on Aug 22 2008 - 34 views

  

[image courtesy of Wikipedia]

OK, seriously, I cannot believe I didn’t think to kick off the series with this one.  Most fans of the 1980’s already know where JAMM got its name.  But for those of you who might think time began when Bill Clinton was elected in 1992…well, take a listen.

Six o’clock already I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin’ Valentino by a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can’t be late ’cause then I guess I just won’t get paid
These are the days when you wish your bed was already made.

It’s just another manic Monday (oh-woe)
I wish it was Sunday (oh-woe)
‘Cause that’s my Funday (oh-woe)
My I don’t have to runday (oh)
It’s just another manic Monday.

Yup, that’s right.  You take a little bit of Susanna Hoffs, toss in the Peterson sisters and the result is just a virtual website full of fun.  But that’s not all, because right there in the last line of the chorus, “It’s just another manic Monday,”  well, I think you see where I am going with this one.  You can thank the Bangles and their rendition of Prince’s Manic Monday for providing us with the inspiration for our name here at JAMM….er…Just Another Mobile Monday.  And for that, they deserve to be this week’s Station Break.

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Travelon: We Can Help You (And Your Laptop) Fly The Friendly Skies

Posted by: dgoldring on Aug 21 2008 - 15 views

These days, it seems like every time I turn around, there are new restrictions about what you can or cannot take on an airplane, how you should pack it, what to do with it at security….you get the point.  Earlier, Peter told you about TSA’s preferences for certain kinds of bags over others. 

Now, some companies are starting to go another step, designing bags specifically for carrying your laptop through airport security.  We first reported on the phenomenon with Skooba Designs’ Checkthrough Bag.   Now, Travelon has become the latest to join the fray. 

The new designs come in response to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) call for manufacturer product submissions that will streamline security procedures. In an effort to speed up the process and better protect laptops, as of August 16, 2008, travelers will not be asked to remove their device for X-ray screening if cases produce a clear view of the laptop, according to TSA. Three Travelon designs have been approved to meet these new security inspection procedures.

That sounds pretty good to me.  There are three different bags: a backpack, briefcase, and wheeled computer bag.  Each contains a removable separate compartment, which allows you to quickly and easily remove the laptop without opening the entire bag.  These bags range in price from $110 to $190, and are all expected to be available in September.

Of course, not all of you are looking for a new bag.  Personally, I really like my current backpack.   But it would be nice if there was just a better way to protect your laptop from damage while going through security.  For those situations, Travelon will offer three different laptop sleeves, all of which are made from the same material as wetsuits, in order to ensure the tightest possible fit on all laptops.  These sleeves range in price from $30 to $45. 

For more information about Travelon and its products, visit www.travelonbags.com.  For more information about the new TSA criteria, please visit www.tsa.gov.

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Get Yer SkyFire Here!

Posted by: dgoldring on Aug 21 2008 - 32 views

We’ve told you before about the fantastic new Windows Mobile web browser, Skyfire.  Though it is still in beta form, it keeps getting better, with recent additions including a pretty good weather package, and support for Microsoft’s Silverlight video service.   This one won’t last long, so if you are one of the many who have been anxiously waiting for an invitation to the beta, this is your chance.  Just head over to the Skyfire site, sign up for the beta and enter promotion code “Michael8”.  That’s it.  The offer will expire August 30, though, so stop reading and head on over there before it is too late.

[via WMExperts]

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