The AnderNaut

Is that a record? Probably not, but it is for me. It was a great a little device and diffidently worked great for what I needed it for. I will miss the JAMin very much as my first Windows Mobile phone device. It filled that niche for a device to transition from multiple devices, phone and PDA, to a converge device.

I still carried around my iPAQ hx4705, for it’s screen mostly, for surfing, e-mail and playing media files. I might just actually stop caring the iPAQ everywhere with my new device, a Cingular 8525. So far,and it’s only been a couple days, I am looking forward to the 8525.

It would appear that albeit limited, consumers have now gained an ever so slight toehold under fair use again. It is nothing ground shattering as being able to make legal copies of audio and/or video works you already own for personal use. But a win never the less. These new exemption will begin November 27th, 2006 running though November 26th 2009.

These exemptions will go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register on November 27, 2006 and will remain in effect through October 27, 2009.

Item 5 is of the most interest to those of us dealing with phones, and mainly GSM phones (Cingular and T-mobile) at that.

5. Computer programs in the form of firmware that enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network.

 This allows for circumvention of a phones software, or firmware, to use that device on another network. Meaning that phones for one carrier cannot be “locked” for use only on that specific carriers network. This does not say however that another carrier has to allow that phone to activated on there network. (i.e Transferring a phone between Sprint and Verizon.) It also does not affect the cost of having said device “unlocked”.

However small, it is a step in the direction of Consumer Rights that as of late we have seen being out weighted by that of the entertainment and media industries over the last several years. As always I encourage you to contact your State and Federal Representatives when ever an issue of Consumer Rights arises and let your voice be known. It can be these little victories that can trigger or build to a larger victory allowing for a balance in use by the consumer and copywrite holder.

Source:
Ruling on Anticircumvention - US Copyright Office
U.S. Copyright Office issues new rights - Yahoo News

Resource:
Copyright Office rules… can legally unlock cellphones - Engadget Mobile
Freedom Rings: Cellphones Must Be Unlocked - Gizmodo
Cell phone unlocking legal (for three years) - arstechnica

Well as we patiently wait for the Zune launch happening today to see what Microsoft has up it’s sleeve enjoy the a links below.

Thoughts Media’s site Zune Thoughts has a very interesting write up about Microsoft Hardware designs and products. I must say I agree that Microsoft Hardware is quite a strong suite, having owned several gaming products and input devices. Besides the Xbox 360 and soon to be launched Zune, they have also recently released a line, if you will, of Webcams. Did any of you know that they had developed a cordless phone? Neither did I.

In preparation for today’s Zune launch they have finally updated the Coming Zune site. I must say that it is quite bizarre, but then again it’s much less disturbing than the previous segment they had up. Hopefully it’s an indication of what we will see today, a Phoenix of sorts.

Well it seems that we can be expecting that HTC Hermes device showing up at Cingular, the 8525, soon. Like, I’m there too, for sure. As I’ve talked about before this will be a great step up from my i-mate JAMin, and dependently the way to go for those out there with a Cingular 8125 and a look toward 3G. Couldn’t say it any short or clip it much more, so I quoted the whole thing. 

I’m just going on what he told me about the reports. But I did get to play with it for 30 minutes and was really impressed with the phone as an upgrade from the 8125 / Qtek. The phone was noticeably faster both in the software response and the internet speed. I did have time to install and try out slingplayer on the 3g network and was very impressed with the quality. It was pulling 250 kbs which gave a very good quality picture. The keyboard was nice. I haven’t used a 8125 so I don’t know what the difference is between the two keyboards, but I loved the keyboard more than on my Qtek. The additional buttons for “ok” and the start menu are very nice and makes it clear to me that HTC listens to their customers and makes improvements.

Source: HowardForums: Cingular 8525 / HSDPA (testing)
Reference: PocketPC Thoughts - Cingular 8525 Spotted in the Wild
Reference: the::unwired - Cingular 8525… caught in the wild

All I have to say is hooshaa, our friends over at Engadget Mobile have dug up some info on the Cingular 8525. It is a bit disappointing that they had the front facing camera has been removed. but hey I can deal with that. I have been very impressed with the devices Cingular has been coming out with. They may not have always been what I would have wanted, or the best device out there. But hey, they’ve been trying.

Source: Cingular 8525 (HTC Hermes) renderings leaked? - Engadget Mobile
Source: Brighthand Forum Thread

…with GSM and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA). Nokia has started the public trials of GSM and UMA in a real world environment. There are 50 lucky families Oulu Finland that will be conducting the tests with Nokia’s new 6136 GSM/UMA enabled phone. What is unique about this is that it will allow for roaming between 802.11 b/g WiFi networks and GSM phone networks.

UMA technology makes it possible for users to seamlessly roam and handover between local area networks and wide area networks using the same dual-mode device. Instead of constantly communicating with a base station, UMA allows the phone to also make calls through WLAN internet networks. In turn, this will also make it easier and cheaper for operators to expand their area coverage by implementing WLAN hotspots instead of costly base stations.

This project is in cooperation with Nokia, the DNA/Finnet group, and the City of Oulu, which builds on the Pan Oulu project announced last year by the city to have WLAN access via the Hospitals around the city.

There appears to be a new Windows Mobile PDA/Phone on the horizon. The device has some decent specs, and looks similar to the O2 XDA and the HP iPAQ rw6828. The specs listed and the ones in the photos do not appear to match. (Pictures can be seen at MSMobileNews.com and msmobiles.com)

• OS: Windows Mobile/PP CPE (Magneto AKU3)
• Quad-band GPRS/EDGE class 10
• CPU: Intel Bulverde 524 MHz
• Radio BB : ADI
• 262k color 2.7″ QVGA
• Standby time : min. 250hrs
• Talk time : min. 6hrs
• Battery : Li-Polymer 1500mAh
• 2.0 M pixel CMOS camera W/LED torch
• Memory : 192MB Flash/64MB SDRAM
• Storage : External Mini-SD card supported
• MPEG4 Encode/Decode QVGA full screen
• KJAVA( CLDC 1.1/MIDP2.0) supported

Looks like a good starter device for those out there looking for a PocketPC Phone.

(Source: PocketPC Thoughts - ORSiO Pocket PC Phone…)

HTC is launching a Branded line of mobile accessories, availability August 2006. They have two Bluetooth heads sets so far. The BH S100 aimed at the sporty and entertainment segment, with a dual ear bud stereo design. The BH M100 is tailored for the business segment with a standard over the ear mono design.

We are soon to launch an exciting range of accessories that will continue to give you the freedom and benefits that you require for your mobile phone solutions. We will be updating this page constantly with our innovative range available from August 2006.

It will be interesting to see what they have for accessories and the range of items.

(Source: PocketPC Thoughts - HTC’s Self-Branded Accessories)

Engadget has spotted some updated (original) information on the HTC Trinity. HTC (High Tech Computer), the premier ODM (Original Device Manufacture) for Windows Mobile devices in the world at this time. It has some great specs, and would be a follow on to the HTC Prophet (the ODM of my i-mate JAMin). I’m sure going to be looking at it as a possible next smartphone device.

Specs (suspected)
Hardware:
64MB RAM
128MB ROM
2.8in QVGA display
microSD/TransFlash slot
VGA & 2.0 MP Cameras

Wireless:
GSP
Bluetooth
WiFi
EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution)
HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access)

So this is looking to be a very interesting and feature packed device, with the next release of Windows Mobile in the near future that could be a possible as well.

(Source: HTC Trinity - PocketPC Thoughts)

I got a new toy this week, an i-mate JAMin, I have been tormenting myself over this for quite a while now. I had also been looking at the i-mate JasJar, both of these and more can be found at Club i-mate. It took much contemplating, ok not much contemplating, just how I was going to get it. This is actually my second i-mate purchase, the first was a SP3i for my wife and is working out great for her. After reading the review, of the JAMin, over at Mobile Tech Review, courteous of PocketPC Thoughts it was over, i bought it.

I must say after only a day this little device rocks. I have been getting a good 116kb to 130kb when testing the speed over at BBReports Mobile Speed test thought out the day, quite respectable for EDGE data service (Cingular’s Network EDGE Map). The WiFi was quite easy to setup and use for my home setup. I wasn’t able to connect at Panera over Dinner, will have to work more with that later. I’ll be the giving the camera a try, probably have my wife do that, that’s her thing. I’ve even thought about getting a hosted Exchange account to get good use out of the ROM update with MSFP (Messaging and Security Feature Pack). MSFP allows for Microsoft’s new e-mail push technology, there answer to compete with RIM’s Blackberry devices. Anyway I’ll will be posting more as I use the JAMin. I have never really been fond of converged devices (combining phone and PDA technologies, in this case) as my sole device, so I’ll continue to use my iPAQ along with it.

Sources:
Mobile Tech Review - i-mate JAMin…
PocketPC Thoughts - …Tested at Mobile Tech Review