Iris Browser v1.1.2

The Iris Browser (by Torch Mobile) has been updated to v1.1.2

It may not be mobile Safari, but it's a really nice browser for Windows Mobile. I also use Skyfire, Opera Mobile, and Opera Mini. I'm still waiting on mobile Firefox (I haven't tried the sub-beta alpha test version because of reports that it's so slow). My experience so far with the new and improved version of Pocket Internet Explorer has been quite positive on my XV6800. I'm running Windows Mobile 6.1 and I don't think my device can handle 6.5 so that's somewhat disappointing.
At least I should be able to find a good mobile browser that will work on my device.

Improving Mobile Security and Patient Information

Modern mobile devices are set up so that data can be erased remotely if the device gets stolen. This level of security can help reduce problems related to personal identification and information theft. Imagine losing your UMPC, tablet, netbook, or laptop that contains ultra-sensitive patient information. Would you have the capability of erasing that device after you lose it?

Now, many devices come equipped with the capability to wipe the hard drive if the device gets stolen. This is also true for mobile devices. There are circulating stories of a prototype Windows Mobile 6.5 phone that was stolen last week. The reports state that the data has been erased on this mobile device. I don't think most thieves are thinking that someone is remotely trying to access the device to wipe it clean. Now if we can build a self-destruct mechanism, I think we'd be all set and laptop theft would decrease tremendously.

EV-DO Apple iPhone Coming to Verizon Wireless?

There are many circulating rumors about an EV-DO Apple iPhone for Verizon Wireless. I know that the original plan was for the iPhone to be exclusively sold under the AT&T mobile service, but plans can change (or can they?). I think it would be truly exciting to see the iPhone on Verizon. I know many people who have recently gotten either a BlackBerry Storm or a Samsung Omnia. They'd probably switch to the iPhone in a heartbeat.

The HTC Touch Pro2

Wow, the HTC Touch Pro2 really looks like a nice device. It will have a 3.6" touch screen (which is almost an inch longer than my current HTC Titan or XV6800 that has a 2.8" screen). Plus, it will feature the tilting keyboard that slides out. Personally, I think this is a great feature because you can set your device on a table and still see what's on the display.

With much more internal RAM and a fast processor, it should run Windows Mobile 6.5 without any problems. Maybe it will even get the upgrade for Windows Mobile 7 when it becomes available (or maybe that's just wishful thinking). Well, I'm happy with my XV6800 for now, so I don't plan to make any changes.

Actually, if (or when) I upgrade to a new smartphone, I probably won't go with a slider anymore. I'll probably get a candybar style device or maybe a thin touch screen device that doesn't have a hardware keyboard. I like to use my phone with one hand and I find that the slider just isn't good for that.

$4 Walmart on Epocrates

Yes, you can now get the national $4 Walmart formulary on Epocrates.

Verizon Wireless 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution)

Verizon Wireless is working on 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution). Is it possible we'll start seeing some phones with 4G capability next year? Download speeds of 50 megabits per second!

Defective keyboard on my XV6800

I've recently discovered that my refurbished replacement XV6800 sent by Verizon Wireless has a severely defective keyboard. Not only do certain keys repeat themselves when I press them once. The "B" button does not work. The #7 is also on that button. Hence, I am crippled with a defective keyboard and I have to pull up the on-screen keyboard when I want to type either "B" or "7." Come on Verizon! Send me a working replacement please!

iPhone vs. Windows Phone

Who will win? Smartphones running Windows Mobile 6.5 will be dubbed "Windows Phones." Seems a bit silly to me, but since iPhone is so catchy, why not play along? Will RIM call the BlackBerry the "Berry Phone?" What about Palm and the webOS? The "Pre Phone?"

If we were to fast forward into the future, would we see regular mobile phones that don't run a sophisticated operating system? Will we have basic phones that don't have a touch screen, a web browser, and office applications? My prediction is that all future devices will be smartphones.

Mobile World Congress 2009

The Mobile World Congress is in Barcelona this year. Too bad it's not just right down the street. Wouldn't you like to have an excuse to travel to Spain? It looks like several companies are either announcing High Definition (HD) versions of their touch phones (like the Samsung Omnia HD). Others are moving from VGA to WVGA (like the HTC Touch Diamond 2 and the HTC Touch Pro 2). Will we establish a screen resolution standard for the next generation of smartphones? My prediction is that everything will eventually move to a widescreen format.

I wonder how mobile phone technology will change over the next two years. Right now we see 3G taking off on phones, laptops and notebooks, netbooks, and UMPCs. We see people using their mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot by streaming 3G data through the air. More laptops are coming equipped with a 3G card and built-in antenna. People are using their mobile phones to tether and get connected on their laptops.

Windows Mobile 6.5: Touch Input

According to the folks over at Brighthand, Windows Mobile 6.5 is official. However, it may be a while before you see it out there (unless you happen to know some people at Microsoft). Of course, developers have been working on leaked ROMs that are based on Windows Mobile 6.5.

Smartphones are transitioning to finger-only input. The phones that are "business" or "professional" still have a hardware keyboard with physical buttons. But the vast majority of other phones running Windows Mobile are relying on screen-based touch input.

We've seen this phenomenon burst with the iPhone. Now we have the BlackBerry Storm. On the side of Windows Mobile, we have Samsung with the Omnia and HTC with the Touch Diamond, Fuze, and Touch Pro (which is a slider with a keyboard). LG has the Incite.

So are you ready to transition to a phone that only has a touch screen? Can you live without a hardware keyboard? How will this impact your search for drugs when you're using Epocrates? What if you're typing an email or editing a contact?

Pay per KB on Verizon Wireless Still Available on the XV6800

If you're lucky enough to have the XV6800 on Verizon Wireless, you can still avoid the "mandatory" data plan. So, does that mean that these types of smartphones will be in higher demand by those who don't want to pay for a data plan?

Data plan now required with verizon wireless

If you're on Verizon Wireless and you want to get a new smartphone (or PDA phone if you will), you MUST get a data plan. This policy started last September. Why?

I'm so disappointed by this. My wife has been using a Treo for a while now (without a data plan) and now she needs a replacement smartphone. She doesn't need a data plan, but now she's forced to get one if she wants to keep a smartphone. Doesn't sound right, does it?

What's going on Verizon? At least offer the pay per KB plan for all smartphones and BlackBerry devices. That's the least you can do for all those users who don't need a data plan but want to combine a phone and a PDA.

People Love the BlackBerry Storm

If I weren't so devoted to Windows Mobile, I'd go out and get a BlackBerry Storm. If I weren't stuck on Verizon Wireless, I'd get an Apple iPhone. Currently, I use an XV6800.

Since the reality is that I'm on Verizon Wireless, I have a family plan, and almost all my friends use Verizon Wireless. So, I won't be playing with an iPhone anytime soon. (of course, I do have an iPod touch that has Wi-Fi, so I can still have fun).

Also, I am dependent on Windows Mobile for certain applications. However, this is slowly starting to change. I won't be surprised if I'm carrying around a BlackBerry in a few years. Especially since Epocrates now runs on the BlackBerry STORM, I may make that switch someday. I'm waiting for the BlackBerry that has a touch screen and a hardware keyboard.

Tethering on the Palm Pre

Looks like the Palm Pre will allow tethering. Tethering is a great way to get online on your laptop by using your phone as a modem. You don't need any fancy broadband cards if your phone is already broadband capable. I use my XV6800 to connect my UMPC or laptop whenever I travel. No need for Wi-Fi as long as I have my phone. Even though I have built-in 3G on my Thinkpad X200 tablet, I don't use it (except for the GPS part). I use my Verizon Wireless phone instead. I still get 3G speed, but at a fraction of the cost. I'm connected all the time!

Palm Pre allows tethering

Looks like the Palm Pre will allow tethering. Tethering is a great way to get online on your laptop by using your phone as a modem. You don't need any fancy broadband cards if your phone is already broadband capable. I use my XV6800 to connect my UMPC or laptop whenever I travel. No need for Wi-Fi as long as I have my phone. Even though I have built-in 3G on my Thinkpad X200 tablet, I don't use it (except for the GPS part). I use my Verizon Wireless phone instead. I still get 3G speed, but at a fraction of the cost. I'm connected all the time!

Improvements to Skyfire

If you use a Windows Mobile device, I hope you've tried Skyfire. It's probably one of the best mobile browsers currently available. I think it beats Pocket Internet Explorer, Opera, and Iris. I say this because you rarely run into a "out of memory" error using Skyfire (although you may not get this problem if you use a different phone. I've only tried it on my XV6800).

Skyfire is still in beta, but the most recent version adds social networking Web 2.0 features.

Predictions about Google Android

There has been so much speculation about Google Android. Will this be the next major smartphone operating system that beats out Windows Mobile (probably), webOS (yes), BlackBerry (yes) and iPhone (maybe)?

I hope Epocrates has a working version for Android in development. It took them quite a while before they had anything robust for BlackBerry. Since these smartphones are evolving so rapidly, it's vital to keep up with them if you want to stay in the race.

People are getting excited about the Palm Pre

Are you excited about the Palm Pre? Some people can't wait to replace their Treos with a Palm Pre. Are you in that camp? I know so many doctors and medical students who still use the old Palm OS Treo.

I hope Palm has better luck with this operating system. The previous one was just so archaic and it really didn't keep up with the 21st century. Hopefully the webOS will be a significant improvement.

Death of Palm OS

According to some news reports, there will be no more new devices running the Palm OS.

Palm will focus its energy on smartphones running webOS and the first device will be the Palm Pre.

I'm surprised its taken Palm this long to kill their OS. The inability to multi-task has really hindered this OS from being robust enough for modern devices. It was great in the late nineties when you used your Palm Pilot to keep your calendar and contacts. Now, these things are essential mini-computers that run very sophisticated software.

How will webOS compete against Windows Mobile, iPhone, and BlackBerry?

Buying a new Verizon Wireless smartphone

If you had to purchase a smartphone as a new Verizon Wireless customer, which one would you choose?

Windows Mobile?
BlackBerry?
Palm?

Windows Mobile 6.5

Interested in running Windows Mobile 6.5 on your Verizon XV6800? (AKA Mogul, HTC Titan). Or, are you content with 6.1 and are you waiting for Windows Mobile 7?

Some developers have released a working beta of 6.5. Check out the XDA Developers forum to find it.