Wireless Muse: Reiter's Wireless Internet Weblog

Apple creates "killer" Internet software sales ecosystem with superior ease-of-use, distribution

Apple’s public announcement on March 6 to allow developers to write applications directly for the iPhone and iPod touch, rather than just as Web-based apps, will be a very big deal.

In fact, I believe Apple is creating a “killer” ecosystem of easy-to-use hardware and mobile software downloading that will result in iPhone users downloading more software, per-person, than any other single cellular phone.

I discussed “Apple’s Amazing Mobile, Internet Sales Ecosystem” in my most recent “Thinkernet” column for “Internet Evolution” (see below).

Nokia debuts Maps 2.0 with pedestrian features, "compass"

At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Nokia introduced its new mapping software, Nokia Maps 2.0, that includes features for location when walking rather than just for in-vehicle navigation (see left).  This is a very useful feature that also highlights Nokia's "big picture" thinking about societal trends.  Location is based on A-GPS (Assisted GPS) and the location of known WiFi hotspots. 

This is similar to the Apple iPhone announcement at Macworld in January where Google Maps incorporates location based on triangulating cellular towers plus WiFi hotspots through a service from Skyhook Wireless.

Nokia has also added a "compass" feature in select new handsets that is, well, a compass, that tells you what direction you're facing.  As someone who has no sense of direction, this is a godsend. 

Which way do I go?

The example Nokia has used -- that's extremely relevant for me -- is the problem of exiting a subway or train station and not knowing the direction you're facing.  You can look at a map, but which way do you turn, especially if signs with the cross streets aren't in front of you?  That's we're compass comes in.

I can't wait to test this feature.  A beta version of Maps 2.0 is available for download (see below) and the commercial version is slated to be launched in the second quarter of this year.

Societal trends

One reason Nokia has begun to emphasize location technology for walking is the trend to, well, walk more as well as the increasingly use of public transportation.  More people are concerned about their carbon footprint and taking subways and buses.

London traffic is so congested that for several years the city has levied a fee for entering the city with a car, truck, etc. (see above).

I will be writing much more about location services -- especially the integration of new Internet database services -- in the months ahead.

Update (2/14/08):  Andy Abramson, the head of the public relations/marketing firm Comunicano, that's coordinating the "bloggers trip" to Barcelona from Nokia, asked if I had looked at the notebook and pen Nokia has been handing out (see below).

The notebook says on the back, "I used to be a car tire."  The pen says, "I used to be a games console."  It's part of Nokia's campaign to be greener, hence the recycling.  I like the rubbery "tire" cover.  It's easier to carry than the heavier non-flexible covers of other notebooks.

However, the plastic pen is just, well, plastic.  It won't replace my Montblanc pens!

This ties in with what I previously wrote about the societal trend to be greener, that helped influence Nokia's decision to include the pedestrian navigation and "compass" features.

Inside Digital Media interviews me about Google, Open Handset Alliance

Research analyst and audio/video blogger Phil Leigh of Inside Digital Media interviews me (see below) about Google and the Open Handset Alliance’s new mobile software platform, Android.

The audio podcast is about 20 minutes.

RIM announces BlackBerry Unite for family/SOHO PC file, PIM sharing

I just finished watching a WebEx briefing where Research in Motion (RIM) announced a fascinating and valuable new “sharing” product — BlackBerry Unite — for consumers and small/home offices for a maximum of five people (see below).

The service will be launched in Spain by Telefonica Espana (see below) with the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (two megapixel camera, WiFi), but look for it in the United States and around the world in the months to come.  RIM says BlackBerry Unite software will be a free download and is compatible with BlackBerry 88xx, 87xx, 83xx and 81xx series devices (I have three of those four).

In essence, families and small business employees may share calendars, contacts, bookmarks and computer files on home or office PCs — with an always-on computer connection.  Computer files that can be shared include documents, music, photos and videos (see below).

Saving, backing up

The files that are downloaded may be saved on the BlackBerry, but they cannot be edited unless the user has installed other third party software on the handset.  Of course, RIM is always working on adding capabilities to its devices.

Files, contacts, photos, etc. that have been created on the BlackBerry may be backed up to the Unite server via a USB cable, a cellular connection (EDGE) or WiFi, if the handset includes WiFi.  Over-the-air backup is a great service for ensuring your data is safe as well as for the convenience.

Corporations with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) already have backup capability because data on the handset and corporate server is synchronized.  Also, companies with the BES may install Unite so employees may use both BES and Unite on their handsets.

Security features

In addition, BlackBerry Unite has security functions that enable parents and employers to restrict specific capabilities on BlackBerrys, such as browsing certain Web sites or restricting long distance calls.  Also, for phones that are stolen, users may create a new password as well as either remotely locking the device or wiping out all the data.

What I like about Unite (based on the briefing) is it brings some of the back office capabilities of corporations to consumers and small businesses.  And, it does so in a single, integrated package that, I assume, will be easy to configure and use.

I haven’t used Unite, but I hope to do so within a month or so.

Not for everyone

Of course, Unite isn’t perfect or advisable for certain users.  For example, the service requires a desktop (or laptop) PC where the software resides as well as an always-on broadband connection for polling e-mail messages. 

So if you turn off your computer at night or when you’re away for days, Unite isn’t for you.  You’ll need to stick with (or sign up for) the BES, or the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) that’s geared more for individuals

Also, the service’s calendar and phone book sharing feature doesn’t integrate with Microsoft Outlook or any similar software.  I suspect that for some people who live in Outlook, this could be a deal-breaker because they wouldn’t want to duplicate entries on the Unite server.

In addition, Unite is limited to five employees so that leaves out larger companies, unless they want to establish information sharing among groups no larger than five.  And for you Apple Mac users, forget it; unfortunately Unite works only with Microsoft Windows XP or Vista.

However, during the briefing RIM said the company is getting more involved with developing software for the Mac so I guess one should stay tuned for Mac support in the future.

A good solution for many

Overall, though, Unite looks like an excellent new service from RIM that is leveraging its in-house expertise to provide cellular operators with new ways to differentiate their offerings. 

RIM already is working on version 2.0 so it seems the Unite will be a dynamic platform as the company rolls out new capabilities in the future.

Marc Orchant discusses great software on his Treo 650

Marc Orchant, a great technology blogger for mobile office and Tablet PC subjects, a podcaster and a "storyteller" at VanDyke Software, has posted a very informative article about the software he especially likes on his Treo 650.

Here's what he write about the software:

"KeySuite (Chapura): The best Outlook companion for the Palm OS platform IMO.   Even with the enhancements in the built-in Palm information manager apps, syncing to Outlook is critical to having everything on the Treo displayed just as it is on my Tablet PC and KeySuite does a great job of mapping to every   Outlook filed and form I use on a daily basis.

"Splash Wallet (SplashData): Although I own the entire suite, the two   applications I use on a daily basis are SplashID and SplashPhoto. SplashID is a password and personal information   vault that encrypts all of my passwords, web accounts, bank information, etc. It has a great PC companion program so   my personal data is always in sync between the Treo and the Tablet PC. SplashPhoto is a great image manager - there   are many choices in this category but SplashPhoto meets my modest needs well.

"SplashBlog (SplashData): A great photo blogging app that includes in its   license price a hosted photo blog. I can snap a picture, add a comment, and upload it to my photo blog in a matter of   seconds.

"SnapperMail (Snapperfish, Ltd.): A great e-mail client with excellent   usability and support for IMAP mail accounts. I particularly appreciate the “fat finger” mode that enlarges the text   and provides a very wide scroll bar when I don’t feel like using the stylus.

"Resco Explorer (Resco): A “Swiss Army knife” for the Palm - file manager,   zip manager, SD card manager, you name it - if it’s related to working with files on the Palm, Explorer can handle it.

"Note Studio (DogMelon Studios): A wiki on your Palm. I’ve noodled around   with countless outliners, note takers, and other information capture tools but as I continue to become more   “wikified” over time, the free-form linking I can do with a Palm-based wiki adds incredible value to my information   capture while on the go. Note Studio has a great PC companion application that makes it quite easy to grab wiki   content and transfer it to a mind map or other PC environment.

"Documents to Go Professional (DataViz): I use Office (duh). I need access to   Word and Excel files (in particular) while on the go. Docs to Go does it right. One of the very first things I did   after setting up the Treo was to upgrade to the Pro version. A small but very appreciated touch in this excellent   suite is a utility that transfers the DTG applications to my SD card, freeing up precious internal memory for   data.

"Bejeweled (Astraware): Simply the most addicting game of all time and a   great way to amuse myself when standing in line at the bank or post office, airport, or anywhere else I need a   diversion. Great game play and brilliant hi-res graphics.

"Card Backup (jkWare): Simple but vital - Card Backup lets me backup the   contents of my Treo’s internal memory to an SD card. Great insurance."

Treo bugs

I'm a big fan of full featured cellular phones with rich operating systems, hundreds or, preferably, thousands of programs that may be downloaded, a good QWERTY keyboard and a camera.  I've tested both the Treo 600 and the Treo 650.

Iike them both and the Treo 650 is significantly better than its predecessor.  However, I find both models to be less reliable than other, less sophisticated cellular phones.  Maybe it's things I've done, but the Treos lock up and crash more than other cellular phones I've used.

It doesn't keep me from recommending the Treos to people who need a jack-of-all-trades cellular phone.  The 650 is a favorite of mine.  But I do caution people to be aware of possible problems.

For more wireless software

If you like reading about software on cellular phones (or wireless and mobile computers in general), you've got to read Russell Beattie's weblog.  Check out, for example, the software he has on his Nokia 6680.