High Tech Computer has joined Intel's efforts to develop Mobile Internet Device Products and the company is expected to launch their first product with handset functions this year, according to sources in Taiwan's handset industry!  What does this mean?  It could mean that we finally see a true alternative to the laptop . . . Let me explain. 

Currently mobile devices are built upon what is called in the industry an ARM processor.  But  Mobile Internet Devices use the x86 architecture. Windows PCs all are built upon the x86 platform.  There are many MID devices available today!  But most are not exactly what one would call pocketable.  And I don't expect HTC's first one to be either!  But I am betting that its only a matter of time before we see an x86 based mid the size of the TyTN II.  And that could be mobile world changing!  The x86 platform could mean that software designed for your windows PC may be compatible with your handset!  Michael Chen, director of INtel's Embedded Sales Group, in Asia Pacific, is already claiming that these devices will perform much better than the current ARM based devices!

I don't expect the World to migrate to this platform this year, but I am betting in two-three years, most smartphones offered will be built using the x86 platform.  Intel also has a 2nd generation platform scheduled for 2009, and thats when I expect things to get really fun! Even with voice functionality, the prices of second-generation MID devices are also expected to more competitive than the current generation of MIDs which are mostly available in prices ranging from US$599-799, according to market sources.  If your wondering where the future of mobile computing might lie, my guess is its with Intel's MID x86 processors and HTC's first generation devices.

 So people are walking down the street so absorbed with their texting that they are getting injured walking into things.  This has prompted the UK based Charity Living Streets  to break out Lamp Post Pad in Brick Lane, London.  If all goes well then plans are to roll out the idiot proof system in other areas of London.  Now just how stupid is this?  Where does this end?  Will double decker buses also be outfitted with padding?  I am sorry, but you can't engineer for every scenario.  You can't prevent "Stupid", no matter how hard you try . . . 

PIctures are surfacing that show Sony's very anticipated Xperia X1 with AT&T logo right on the sign up screen!  This doesn't necessarily mean that it will appear on the blue and orange network, but it is a sign of hope.  If it is true, then give AT&T some credit!  They currently carry a wide variety of smartphones at several pricepoints, including that exclusive deal with the iPhone.  Without a doubt, AT&T does the best job of the big three here in the states when it comes to SmartPhone selection.  Lets hope that this means they are adding this one to the stable!  And that Sprint/Verizon have already made the call to enquire about getting their CDMA versions in their display cases as well!

There is a great article written by Michael Mace about 3rd party apps and how the industry is basically choking this market.  I would encourage anyone interested in Mobile Tech to read how Mike sums up the current climate within the mobile market.  Mr. Mace says that Mobile apps are headed to be more browser based apps, and less of system apps.  He lays out several reasons why, and I certainly am not arguing with him.  His whole article makes a lot of sad sense. And he hopes that maybe this will force us to innovate around the mobile browser experience.

I think we need to take a long hard look at this experience . . . .    Now love or hate the iPhone, Apple has come close to giving the user an almost decent interface on its Safari browser.  But it still lacks much to be desired!  Palm thought that the answer might lie in its companion device; The Foleo.  That one never got off the ground, as who wanted to carry another device to basically do what their phones were already doing? No, what mobile users want is a laptop experience in something that they can put in their pocket.  There is much to overcome here!  Even though the industry is improving bandwidth, today you only have decent speeds in larger cities. And even there, grabbing your information over a web browser still wouldn't be described as "painless". 

So until the browser experience improves, I believe there is a considerable market for 3rd party apps, and those apps will make their way to consumers in some way or another.  Microsoft has recently stated that they sold 11 million Windows Mobile Licenses this year, and they expect to sale 20 million more in fiscal year 2008.  I totally agree with Mike that the market is fragmenting in that you have all of these choices and its hard for a developer to cover them all.  But at the same time, I am betting that every smartphone manufacturer out there, except maybe Palm are setting recrods for sales.   So even though its harder to build for WM, RIM, Palm, Linux, the rewards when you do are much higher. 

My Treo 650 and 680 came with a nice OS for the time.  But it wasn't until I added Chatteremail, QuickNews, zLauncher and Treo Alarm that it really became useful for something beyond a phone. My HTC TyTN II came with a plethora of 3rd Party software on a CD.  Most of it licensed!  I think the people building the OSes for these devices recognize the importance of 3rd party developers and will find ways to get these apps to consumers.  Handango, and Mobi-hand makes sense.  They sale for the developers and everyone wins!  The Microsoft and Palm  people win because it makes their system more valuable to the consumer.  The Developer wins, because he has a gateway to sale his app to the masses.  The web site wins because it is making a profit by providing a service to both the developer and the consumer, and the consumer wins because he has an easy way to obtain an app that expands his device.  

I would love to see the mobile browser improve!  But until it does, I believe that everyone recognizes the need for an application that resides on the device itself. When the iPhone was introduced, Jobs had a similar vision . . .  Use the Safari browser to do whatever you wanted to do.  This was one of the most critisized decisions about the iPhone (along with only an EDGE radio) and finally, Apple is caving in to the consumer to allow for certain 3rd Party apps.   I do agree with Mr. Mace, that building apps inside web sites make a lot of sense, would be cheaper on the developer, etc.  One app that I think already exists that is similar to this model is Boopsie .  Its a very small app that allows you to search Boopsie's web site and depending on your search, takes you to mobile versions of the web sites, such as Wikipedia, Celebrity Pics, etc.   This app is fast and one of my favorites, especially for freeware!  But I can't see an app like this, replacing my SBSH weather app, or my Flexmail app, given the mobile browser as it is today.  But I believe that given time, when the mobile browser does improve . . . and it will as mobile phones get faster data abilities, and designers build more sites with the mobile experience in mind, that many apps won't be apps any longer.  But will be mobile web sites where all you have to do is launch a browser or an Icon.  

One app that I really loved with the Palm OS was Quicknews .  I am talking a very complete RSS Newsreader that did a great job of retrieving news and podcasts from web sites that I was interested in.  So when I knew I was making the move to a WM platform, I knew there were certain apps that I would want to replace the ones I used for Palm.  Enter Newsbreak !  Since I have made the switch, this app and my email have probably been used more than any other on my device.  I tried several newsreader apps before deciding on this one however. And I must admit that there are several good choices out there when it comes to newsreaders.

One very cool feature about NewsBreak is the ability for it to auto-update.  You can't specify a time, but you can specify a timeframe. So when I have a chance to get caught up on my news interests, its not like I have to go update the news articles and then start reading.  There are a few newsreaders out there for both Palm and WM that are missing this crutial feature.  

 Another necessary is the ability to search for your news interests, and this is really the feature that won me over to this particular app!  It seemed that searching in Quicknews was a hit or miss adventure when looking for particular feeds.  But so far, "Livesearch" has been very accurate in helping locate exactly the feeds I am looking for. If I don't want to use Livesearch, I have the option of using Syndic8.com.  Newsbreak also gives you the ability to import OPML files, or choose from the list of Newsbreak's own built in Channels which lean heavily  to mobile tech, and that is certainly not a problem with me! 

 But Newsbreak also gives you the ability to grab podcasts!  So many times, I will pick out two or three to listen to, and download them.  Then later one, I grab my headphones and while I am doing things such as housework, or yardwork, I take in things such as "This week in Tech, or Wired Magazine. All and all, this is a very nice application, as the ability to run in the background, auto-update and keep me informed is just hard to beat.  Also, suddenly I am pretty interested in any article that mention "HTC" or "TyTN II" then I tell it to flag me if any updates show these tag-words in the content.  Very nice!  The menu options seem to be complete and make this a solid choice for a news reader. Also, this reader supports images so you have the ability to see content that includes photos.  All and all, a very solid reader and I am enjoying it very much!

Click on the read more link below for a photogallery of different screen shots of this newsreader. 

RIM has applied for a patent on a Sliding design.  I guess I have to ask why?  The first one I guess I ever saw was the HTC Wizard. Now, HTC offers a plethora of designs featuring this design and Nokia, Sony, and others have copied it.  Yet, RIM feels it necessary to patent it? Maybe there is more to this Patent than meets the eyes.  It does feature a trackball, and the screen overlay does look a little larger and maybe offeres some sort of panel behind the screen?  But I am guessing its nothing that we haven't already seen from many mobile phone manufacturers. 

Expect Lawsuits!

Android is looking so very promising!  Remember as you are watching this, that this is functioning on a 300 MHZ processor.  Google is showing off how well it does street view.  Currently not available on any production made mobile!

OK, so after 10 years with various Palm units, I made the switch to WM in an HTC TyTN II.  So what do I like better?  What do I miss in my Trusty and Faithful Palm OS?  Below are the Categories that I have come up with and how everything shakes out!

• Size:  the TyTN is actually smaller than the 680!  It might weigh a little more, but its a smaller phone.  Winner TyTN II
• Operating System: The Palm OS is Simple.  WM is more complicated, but I am learning also that it is much more powerful.  Winner TyTN II
• As a phone: For the ability to make a quick call, WM and yes, even Apple could learn a thing or two from Palm's interface.  There are shortcuts that you can incorporate in WM to bring your favorites a little closer to you, but I am still missing my 680 interface when it comes to pulling or looking up contacts.  Winner: Palm Treo
• Data input: I was very concerned about the lack of a keyboard on the front of the device.  But the TyTN II design is simple to to access, and is a pleasure to type on.  I don't miss the Palm's qwerty at all!  I still say its an excellent design, but the TyTN II is also well designed.  My bet is however, that the Palm's qwerty might be more durable.  Time will tell, but given my experience so far, I am calling this one to the TyTN corner:  Winner: TyTN II
• WiFi: Since the Palm isn't capable: Winner TyTN II
• Camera:  The TyTN II has some video issues.  HTC is said to be working on them.  Even if they don't address them, the video quality as well as the Camera Quality blows the 680's out of the water!  Forget that we are talking 3.2 megs vs VGA quality!  This camera is better at 1.2 megs than any camera phone I have used to date!  Winner: TyTN II
• Flash Support: Again, Palm doesn't support it: Winner TyTN II
• Web Browsing: IE is a pleasure compared Blazer!  And the ability to go from a protrait screen to landscape only adds to the appeal.  Add the fact that you have a qwerty for text input, and well . . . Winner: TyTN II
• Included Software:   The TyTN includes a nice  package to get you started.  To see the list, head here .  Winner: TyN II
• Signal Strength:  The Palm 680 ain't bad, but I believe the TyTN is even better.  Winner TyTN II
• Email: Give this one to the Palm as long as you are adding on Chatteremail:  Even with the highly touted Flexmail for WM, its still not as good as the Palm was with Chatter.  Winner Palm OS.
• SMS: Its hard to beat Palm's out of the box threaded SMS.  Winner Palm OS
• User Interface:  The Palm might be a hair friendlier to use, but WM on a TyTN is sure a lot nicer to look at!  Winner TyTN II
• Price:  Palm is very affordable!  Winner: Palm OS