Asian Tiger

I had the opportunity to attend Microsoft’s [tag]MEDC 2006[/tag] recently where developers gather and drool over smartphones and software that reside in them. During this conference, we were exposed to the [tag]Windows Mobile[/tag] 5 technology. I thought I’ll just share with you about the new [tag]Windows Mobile 5[/tag] (codename “[tag]Magneto[/tag]” during development).

Here’s what’s new in Windows Mobile 5:

PowerPoint Inclusion
I am so glad that this missing piece of jigsaw puzzle is included together with Windows Mobile 5. Previously, only Word and Excel were included, making it difficult for users to view PowerPoint files without a third-party software.

Word and Excel Enhancements
Unlike in the previous version (Pocket PC 2003), Word now comes with the capability to add tables and graphics. Excel on the other hand has charting capabilities. For those who have used Pocket PC 2003, we all know how important these new functionalities are (great justification to upgrade your unit ).

Media Player
Windows Mobile 5 comes preinstalled with Windows Media Player 10. With this version, your smartphone can now play WMA, WMV, MP3 and AVI files.

Caller Identification
A great improvement over Windows Mobile 2003 is the ability of Windows Mobile 5 to have photo caller identification. Now, you don’t have to read the names of those calling you but rather look at the person’s photo. A quick glance will tell you if it is your wife calling or your mother-in-law.

Even though Windows Mobile 5 is recently made available to the market, Microsoft is already working on the next version (Windows Mobile 6) which they have codenamed “Crossbow”. Crossbow is rumoured to have improved battery life and greater processing powers.

The proliferation of mobile and [tag]cellular phones[/tag] have really extended the [tag]Internet[/tag] to our hands. With so many phones (smartphones or otherwise) having the functionality to surf the Internet, we have got to be ready to serve our visitors through their little screens.

I do agree with some skeptics that the mass has not caught on to the mobile Internet fad but we can never be too late to get ready earlier. 5 years ago, no one thought that one could surf the Net from sidewalks or parks. Today, this has proven to be a common phenomenon through WiMax, WiFi, GPRS, EDGE and also 3G. The said [tag]wireless technologies[/tag] allows anyone to access the Internet through a multitude of devices such as PDAs, laptops, desktops and also mobile phones.

Therefore, we cannot discount the fact that 5 years down the road, users will continue this mobility trend to access the Internet through their mobile phones. To get prepared, we should constantly check our site to ensure that it is viewable in the mobile phone screen format.

Assuming that you do not have an Internet-ready mobile, you can access to an online [tag]mobile simulator[/tag] to simulate your site on a mobile courtesy of a demonstration tool by Opera. You can access the tool called [tag]OperaMini[/tag] by clicking here. The result of Amos’ blog is shown in the inset.

Don’t you just love free tools?

I have just laid my hands on a beautiful [tag]Apple[/tag] 15″ [tag]PowerBook[/tag] G4. The unit came dirty with food leftovers on the keyboards, trackpad and screen. I took the liberty of cleaning up this sexy piece of machinery and in about 30 minutes, it looks brand new.

This particular model of Apple product has been discontinued and replaced with the Intel based MacBook Pro. What am I doing with this machine, you asked. This unit in my hands is up for sale and I am contemplating buying it. My worry is really the cost of maintaining an obsolete Apple machine and the fact that I have been a Windows user for as long as I could remember (circa 15 years).

I have heard so many good things about the Mac and now that I can really afford to own one, I can’t decide. A few of my friends who made the [tag]switch from Windows to Mac[/tag] swore that they won’t be supporting Bill Gates and his Windows anymore. MacOS has really converted my friends based on it functionalities, ease of use and reliability.

Tough decisions in life, isn’t it.
p.s. Blogged this using Firefox on MacOS X on PowerBook G4 on Apple.