CrazyPhoneGuy.com

Nokia E90 Communicator: The Best Business Productivity Smartphone on the Market?

2009-05-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

My latest obsession is with the Nokia E90 Communicator phone. This phone is a beast. It is a big phone at 5.2” by 2.24” by .79” and might be a tight fit for jean pockets. But there is a reason for the dimensions of this phone. It opens up, in a clam shell fashion, to reveal a tremendous full qwerty keyboard, and more notably a 800 by 352 LCD display. I am reminded of the promise of the Celio Redfly to increase productivity. With the Nokia E90 true business productivity is possible. With the 800 by 352 LCD screen and the excellent keyboard I can truly imagine preparing or reading a spreadsheet or viewing slides. How anyone was able to work on spreadsheets using a device with a 320 by 240 screen is beyond me. I read that the device is Blackberry-Connect compatible. I am not familiar with Blackberry Connect, but to have BES quality push email service with this device would just be a phone nerd’s dream.

But, this phone is big. And, its not particularly sexy. You won’t get oohs and ahhs when you whip this baby out. Opinions might change when you flip the phone open to reveal the keyboard. It’s always what’s under the hood that counts.

First Peek at Blackberry Niagara 9630

2009-03-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Total props to Crackberry.com for these first teaser shots of the Blackberry Niagara. Verizon Wireless customers are long due an update to the Blackberry 8830. This new Blackberry offering seems to meld features from the T-Mobile 8900 Curve with the awesome Blackberry Bold. I actually considered switching to AT&T for the Bold, but may stick with Verizon Wireless for just a little while longer for this sexy number.

Nokia N-95 For Sale for $379!

2009-03-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Nokia N-95 is now available for $379! It wasn't that long ago that the phone sold for $700. Remember Brian Tong's enthusiastic endorsement of the phone on CNET naming it an editor top choice phone of 2007? http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-31287.html.

The Nokia N-95 sports a 5-megapixel camera 5 MP with a 2592 x 1944 pixel resolution using Carl Zeiss optics and shoots VGA video. It is on sale for above price at the Nokia Flagship store in New York City.

Going Retro

2009-02-06T16:41:00.000-08:00

A colleague of mine uses the T-Mobile 8700. I work for a firm that encourages Blackberries so it was surprising for me to see this particular model when everyone here carries 8830s, Curves and increasingly the Bold.

I love all things retro (I sport a Zune), but felt compelled to tell her about the upcoming 8900. T-Mobile customers don't often get bragging rights, but in a few short weeks, they'll have first dibs on what some may consider the coolest Blackberry device.

Verizon Wireless XV6800 and Celio Redfly Pairing

2009-01-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

In December I bought a Verizon XV6800 Windows Mobile smartphone. I decided to try on trial the Celio Redfly which is a mobile companion designed to be used with Windows Mobile phones.

The XV6800 is about a year old, and already feels dated compared to newer offerings such as the HTC Touch Pro, and Diamond. It is a powerful device taken on its own with a 320x240 screen, and reasonable specifications. I have written in blog posts last year about my affection for this phone. It isn't a beautiful phone, but there was something defiant about its design which appealed to me. It is a true geek phone, and meant to be tweaked, flashed, and customized which brings me to the Celio Redfly (http://www.celiocorp.com/).

The Celio Redfly extends the capability of a Windows Mobile device by providing a beautiful seven inch 800x460 pixel resolution display, and a fuller Qwerty keyboard for selected Windows Mobile phones. The Redfly provides an almost netbook like experience for Windows Mobile users. The Redfly has no operating system of its own. It is powered by the Windows Mobile operating system and computing power of your smartphone via either a USB or bluetooth connection.

With all the extra screen real estate of a 7 inch 800x460 screen resolution it becomes possible to work on an Excel spreadsheet, or to do real word processing using the Windows Mobile Office suite that comes pre-installed on most Windows Mobile smartphones. I liked the idea of extending the functionality of my XV6800, and pushing it to its limit. Unfortunately, you can't push too hard. Some applications work great like Excel and Word. Powerpoint slides look awesome, but you have very little editing capability. Opera Mobile browser works well, but I wasn't able to get a fully rendered NYTimes page. It always defaulted to a mobile version which frustrated me.

I downloaded Skyfire, which works amazingly well on the XV6800. It doesn't work on the Redfly though. On my XV6800 I get fully rendered webpages with embedded flash video. ESPN's website looks great. But, it didn't work on my Redfly.

I thought I would carry my Redfly everywhere with me. I had visions of connecting to the internet anywhere via my EVDO Rev A connection, and typing my articles seated at a Starbucks. However, I found I left my Redfly home more than I brought it out with me. The editor of PocketNow might have said it best, "..my Windows Mobile phone IS my mobile companion." He also wrote that if he needed more computing power out on the road that netbooks work better for him, and seeing the prices and relative computing power I am prone to agree with him.

The Redfly can be purchased inexpensively for about $230. However, with the competitive prices of netbooks, I can't justify keeping a device because I like the idea of the Redfly. I'm probably going to send it back, and save for a netbook.

Microsoft, what are you doing?

2009-01-23T21:35:00.000-08:00

I am pissed with Microsoft. How can they treat Cesar Menendez - the voice of the Zune community this way? So you didn't make your quarterly estimates. You still made $16.63 billion in Q2. Why would you splinter your Zune community by treating one of your faithfuls in this manner? One of the reasons why I love the Zune is because I felt I was part of a small dedicated and loyal community. Now one of our own - one of our best is adrift, and that makes me very angry. Microsoft, you were becoming a company I was rooting for because you were the underdog in this space, but now you've shown your stripes as the large, profit margin clinging behemoth that you are. Cesar better get one hell of a severance package.

Zune

2009-01-01T14:20:00.000-08:00

I am sticking with the Zune. Happy New Year!

Reflections of a Crackberry

2008-11-22T20:26:00.000-08:00

The new Blackberry Storm came out yesterday. People lined up around the block to try to get their hands on the new Blackberry Touchscreen Storm. I was feeling nostalgic, and decided to look up pictures of Blackberry devices from several years back. Look at this picture. It’s one of the early Blackberries. Who would have thought that the Blackberry would go mainstream, and become, well…cool.

I bought my first Blackberry device earlier this year – the Blackberry Curve. It is a great device. I rarely access my emails on my desktop anymore. I am completely mobile, and read my emails on the train, on the bus, in the office, at the coffee shop…you get the idea. I carry my Blackberry everywhere with me, and can’t imagine being without it, yet I don’t truly feel a part of the Blackberry Nation. As a relatively new Blackberry user, I feel I’ve missed out. I didn’t have a chance to use the older Blackberry devices - the Blackberries without the fancy touchscreen, or multi-media capability. I wonder what original Blackberry users that have stuck with the device (since 2000!) feel about the Storm and the Bold. Do they lament RIM’s current consumerist focus? Don’t get me wrong, the Bold and the Storm are solid devices, but somehow, 2000, which wasn’t that long ago, seems innocent… pure; I wish I could have been a Blackberry user then.

More Zune News

2008-10-25T03:41:00.000-07:00

I was at a Zune party last night at a trendy Lower East Side bar in New York City. Zune was in town as one of the primary sponsor for a music festival call CMJ.

I spoke at length with Rob Greenlee who heads up Zune’s podcasting initiative. I queried about future iterations of the Zune, and found his thoughts illuminating. Zune seems content to do its own thing, and while it realizes it is a David to Apple’s Goliath in the mp3 space, it is trying to set itself apart differently from Apple. Microsoft is first and foremost a software company, and it is to those roots that Zune appears to be focusing on. Zune wants to build itself more as a software platform rather than a device platform. It envisions itself converged, much like Apple is doing now, on Windows XP/Vista, Xbox 360, and Windows Mobile. Zune will be about music discovery, and its Social, which although in its infancy has a lot of potential. I also found the target demographic for the Zune to be interesting. Zune is targeting the urban young. Zune is actually a top 20 recognized brand in the Latino community.

The Blackberry goes Adult

2008-10-25T03:25:00.000-07:00

Are you kidding? That's the last thing I want to see; businessmen viewing porn on their Blackberry devices.

Pinota is looking for beta testers and will offer free subscriptions to videos, pictures and sex blogs for interested BB users.

First Impressions of Sprint's HTC Diamond

2008-10-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

I spent some time with the HTC Diamond from Sprint last week. Here are my initial impressions.

The phone is everything bloggers and critics say it is – it is small and powerful. What really astounds the first time you see the phone, especially if you’ve accustomed yourself to a 320x240 display on last year’s HTC phones (Touch, Mogul, XV6800, etc), is the sharpness of the display. The colors are incredibly rich and crisp. I maneuvered to the device’s YouTube app and opened a random video and was amazed at how great the video looked.

I actually had a chance to play with an unlocked GSM version of the HTC Diamond before seeing Sprint’s version. One difference between the GSM and Sprint’s CDMA version is the back cover. The original GSM version of the Diamond has this faceted back meant to simulate the surface of a diamond. Sure, it was a fingerprint magnet, but I liked it. The Sprint CDMA version has a smooth soft-touch burgundy back. Some might like the new back, but I favor the original back better. The Sprint’s HTC Diamond phone is rounded and just a tad thicker. The phone is still tiny, but not as small as the original GSM version. It’s all a matter of preference but I find the original GSM version of the Diamond to be slicker; all black design, etc.

The new 3D-Touch Flo works fine. The unlocked Diamond had some lag issues as reported by CNET, but Sprint seems to have taken care of these problems. One should remember that underneath all the glitziness of the new GUI is still Windows Mobile 6.1.

I recommend the Sprint HTC Diamond for heavy multimedia users. Without a full qwerty keyboard, business users may want to wait for the Touch Pro, although MoDaCo reported in one podcast that the HTC Diamond’s touchscreen keyboard isn’t bad and works reasonably well (for an all touchscreen device). That being said, CPG is more a fan of sliders, and waits patiently for the HTC Touch Pro.

Storm Leaks

2008-10-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

There's been a ton of leaked news about Verizon's newest phone on all the cellphone blogs.

On the train ride home I listened to a British podcast about cellphones call "MoDaCo". The podcaster was surprised he wasn't more thrilled about the HTC Touch Pro, which is the slide-out version of the HTC Diamond. He made the comment that maybe "slide-out" purists will stick to that form factor, but he liked having a smaller device, and found typing on the next generation of touch-screen phones to be acceptable. I wondered how the Storm will be accepted. Will it be a largely consumer group that buys this, or will business power-users forgo a tactile qwerty keyboard for a touch keyboard ala the Apple iPhone?

Push email for Windows Mobile

2008-10-05T20:38:00.001-07:00

If you own a Windows Mobile Device you might envy the email capabilities of Blackberry smartphones. There are solutions that allow push-email functionality on your WinMo device.

There are two solutions for push-email for Windows Mobile users. The first is to get a hotmail email account from hotmail, and use Windows Live for push email. The second is to use an online host service.

There are almost no free hosted exchange services left. However, the cost for most host exchanges are reasonable considering the benefits and convenience of push-email. Here is a list of some of the best services (source: WMExperts):

http://community.seven.com/forum/main.php

http://www.reliablehosts.org/

http://www.4smartphone.net/

http://www.mailtoweb.co.uk/

http://www.qorefunctions.com/

Acer Aspire 5315-2698 versus Celio Redfly

2008-10-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I caught a profile of the Acer Aspire One on the podcast "Gadget Pron". I must say, I am intrigued.

The Acer Aspire 5315 is a netbook, and is considerably smaller, and less fully featured than a more expensive laptop. But, it is the price point that has put the Acer Aspire 5315 on my radar. It is selling for about $330.

It is not as powerful as a full featured laptop, but then again, you aren't paying as much. It is ideal for a road warrior type who wants internet access and the ability to edit documents.

I was looking at the Celio Redfly, but considering the price difference I think I am getting a better bang for the dollar with a netbook in spite of Celio's price reduction. In the future, perhaps, there may be a software option that will allow me to link my smartphone to any netbook or laptop. That would be really cool.

Presidential Smackdown

2008-09-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

The premier issue of iPhone Life reports Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was "frequently photographed early in the campaign with his trusty Blackberry". But, in recent days, he has been spotted with a new iPhone 3G.

No confirmation, but somehow, I see Republican presidential candidate John McCain as a Blackberry user. Can you picture John McCain with a iPhone?

Barack Obama is tech saavy, no doubt about it. He has mobilized tech geeks to blog for him, and his webpage is cutting edge. John McCain is more old school. Someone needs to get the new Blackberry Bold into his hands.

Verizon XV6800

2008-09-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am thinking about buying the XV6800. I checked on CraigsList, and this phone can be mine for $220. If I bought this phone, I might consider picking up the Celio Redfly as well. Wouldn't it be awesome to surf the internet and use Windows Mobile Office on a higher resolution screen! I was a little bummed that the XV6800 is not a compatible device with Qik yet (see http://www.qik.com/).

These are hard economic times, and this purchase might be seen as frivolous. I feel like someone with a hot girlfriend, but somehow I can't help eyeing the girl the other guys have overlooked. The Blackberry Curve has been good to me, and this is how I repay all the sweet email goodness it has given me?

Treo 800W

2008-09-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Treo 800W is on CrazyPhoneGuy's radar. Palm was a leader in the PDA space, but many of its recent Smartphone offerings were buggy. Yet Palm commanded a loyal following, and Palm seems intent, in recent months, on turning itself around.

Over the summer, Treo 800W came out on the Sprint network, and it seems to be selling well. It is a utilitarian looking device. Podcasters and bloggers (see WMExperts' review) rave about it.

I haven't had enough one-on-one time with the device, but when I do I'll write a more detailed review. It is suppose to come to Verizon Wireless (CrazyPhoneGuy's carrier), so I may check it out.

WMExperts Podcast

2008-09-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

I listen to WMExperts' podcast faithfully. Two guys, one living in Florida, and another living in New York City talk weekly about Windows Mobile. I don't even currently use a Windows Mobile Phone, but its great fun listening to these two guys. They clearly have their biases, I mean, the podcast is call WMExperts (they are really into Treos, especially the 800W), but I still enjoy listening to them report the news and their opinions about the Windows Mobile world. Load it up using your favorite podcatcher. http://www.wmexperts.com/.

Jacksonfish.com

2008-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

CrazyPhoneGuy admires well made cutting edge mobile devices. He also admires good companies.

Jacksonfish.com is a special small business. It has an amazing website. The firm has a simple mission statement - to create beautiful consumer software for the web. The unique character of this small company can be discovered through navigating Jacksonfish.com's website.

In an age of brashness where profits and short term gains rule the day, there is something refreshing about the existence of a company like this. It actually renews my hope about the U.S. amidst all the financial turmoil of recent day.

The webpage is something special. It depicts an ordinary street you might find in a small town. It is teeming with activity during the day, but at night, stores shut down, lights are dimmed (literally). It is really clever. Visit http://www.jacksonfish.com/.

Celio Redfly - $199 until October 31st

2008-09-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Celio Redfly is available for Windows Mobile users for $199 until October 31st. Why the temporary reduction in price from $500? Celio believes once users get the Redfly in hand that word will get out about this new technology.

I have to admit I am intrigued by the idea of a pocket PC phone delivering a desktop user experience.

The following Windows Mobile phones are fully compatible with the Celio Redfly: SCH-i760, Blackjack, Treo phones, Moto Q, Sprint Mogul, XV6800, AT&T Tilt, etc. (see full list here: www. http://www.celiocorp.com/smartphone/)

iPhone Quality Browsing?

2008-09-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

More HTC Touch HD picture goodness for all you gadget-philes.

This picture of a internet browser on the new HTC Touch HD looks almost as good as the iPhone's Safari browser.

Introducing another iPhone Challenger: The HTC Touch HD

2008-09-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

The iPhone is in a class of its own. It is the most seamlessly converged mobile device currently on the market. The Blackberry, Symbian, and Windows Mobile platforms all have their strengths and weaknesses, but it is the iPhone that is able to provide users a true, mp3, personal video player, telephone, pictures, and browsing experience that sets the standard for developers and manufacturers. That is until now. Ask a gearhead who has succumb to the lure of the iPhone what he wishes it has, and of course, you'll hear, removable battery, greater resolution, better camera, ability to customize (a la Windows Mobile).

Imagine, a phone with a similar form factor, but with even higher resolution. I am talking WVGA or 800 x 480 pixel resolution. Windows Mobile and Treo Users have had to make due with 320 x 240 for the longest time. Early previews of the HTC Touch HD's display report it as absolutely gorgeous. It will trump iPhone's 480 x 320 resolution. Comparisons are inevitable, because the HTC Touch HD looks so much like the iPhone.

Its other features will have loyal Windows Mobile users drooling: a 5 megapixel camera (no flash), stylus, microSD slot, 3.5-mm headphone jack, and a 1350mAH battery. We're talking a serious smartphone here, and not a neat multimedia phone with a touch keyboard (sorry iPhone).

No news on who will get this first in the US. Perhaps, by the end of the year. The iPhone 3G is a truly amazing device, but this new offering from HTC provides an alternative. Competition is good.

Verizon Fall lineup?

2008-09-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

I was at a Verizon store over the weekend. Verizon must have many new phones in its fall line-up because there were few smartphones on display. Verizon stores have pulled the Samsung SCH i760, and the XV6800 from its store. I was told that the last batch of SCH i760s were faulty, and Verizon decided to pull it. Sprint in recent weeks introduced the HTC Touch Diamond, and the new Palm Treo 800W has been available for a while.

I feel Verizon puts all of its time and energy into making it the most reliable cellphone network in the nation at the expense of new and exciting phones in its line-up. When I questioned a sales person about the fall line up, he started talking up the new Blackberry Touch-screen device. While I'm excited about the new Touch Blackberry, it would have been nice if Verizon could get the Bold too. I'm just tired of seeing all the newest phones released first in Europe, and Asia, and then AT&T. It makes me almost want to move over to a GSM network.

There's excitement building about the Blackberry Storm, and rumors of the Treo 800W coming to Verizon, and I'm sure its just a matter of time before the HTC Diamond comes to Verizon (since its gone Sprint already).

For now, Verizon users have to make due with the HTC Touch, and Blackberry devices. Better to wait until October and November if you're thinking about updating at this point.

Zune 3.0 Software Update

2008-09-16T06:08:00.000-07:00

I think I was one of the first this morning to download the new Zune 3.0 software. I haven't had a chance to play around with it yet, but it looks great. I even have games now on my Zune 80.

Congrats Zune Team!

Zune 3.0

2008-09-14T19:50:00.001-07:00

I am a Zune fan, and thrilled to pieces about the new Zune 3.0. On September 16th, Zune users will be able to download for free a software update that will allow wireless download of music via WiFi! The new software will also allow users to tag songs from FM radio for download from the Zune Marketplace. Audiobooks have also come to Zune.

Zune is really trying to be THE device for the serious music enthusiast. Your Zune will track your favorite music, and when you log into the Zune marketplace will make music recommendations to you. It might also introduce you to people that have the same musical taste as you. Microsoft feels music is a social experience and meant to be shared, and it wants to foster this via the Zune Social. It, the Zune Social, is in its infancy of course. It kind of reminds me of some wild sociology experiment. Someday I'll organize a huge Zune Meetup in New York City. It will be huge. It will be wild. It will be YouTube worthy.