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The Adventures of Jerry and Bill: Shoe Circus

"During the NFL season opener on September 4, Microsoft aired the first of the ads that it paid agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky $300 million-plus to create to help make over the company’s image. No mentions or even thinly veiled references to Apple. And there is only an indirect reference to Windows."

I was a huge fan of the Adventures of Seinfeld & Superman. If you haven't seen those hilarious Jerry Seinfeld commercials, they were a little 2-5 minute webisodes that were used to promote American Express. One of the best marketing campaigns on the planet, at least in my opinion, because it actually had me going out and searching high and low for these commercials. Once again Jerry has managed to make lightning strike twice with the first of hopefully many Jerry and Bill dynamic duo commercials. If you have seen some of Bill Gates classic spoof videos of the past, such as Bill Gates' Last Day of Work, you will be happy to know that this new campaign has the same feel. Whether you love Microsoft or hate Microsoft I think it is safe to assume that everyone will love on camera Bill Gates - he is hilarious.

One thing I am grateful for is that these advertisements make a point to not mention Apple and the series of smear advertisements Apple has put out in the past few years. When I first heard about Microsoft's new campaign to combat the Apple advertisements, I just envisioned Microsoft's version of "I'm a Mac," which made me cringe a little inside. I've always felt Microsoft's products were better than that and now releasing something that will make people laugh instead of thinking they eat babies for breakfast will do wonders for their public image while at the same time making Apple look petty and negative for their series of commercials... which when you stop and think about it, if you have to mention your competitors products in your advertisements and bad mouth them the whole time only to sell a tiny fraction of the amount of products they sell, how good is your product, really?

AT&T Samsung Blackjack II Updated to Windows Mobile 6.1

"This has to wrap up the lunacy that has seen Windows Mobile 6.1 updates for just about everything that needed one in recent times. We've seen 6.1 hacked for Sammy's BlackJack, but it's sorta sweet of them to get it out to us all official-like. The release notes on Samsung's site mention threaded SMS, Domain enrollment, and even a BMW iDrive patch as tout-worthy features, in this, the newest and best from Microsoft. As a word of caution, following the instructions to the letter is always a good plan during ROM updates, as failure to do so can lead to a very dead handset. Thanks Samsung, we appreciate the speedy software updates. Read link has the goods."

As all of you have probably already heard, Windows Mobile 6.1 has been released for the Samsung Blackjack II. We would have reported on it earlier but when news first broke the update was pulled offline for whatever reason and after almost two days of regular refreshing of my browser hoping the update has come back... I eventually got distracted and forgot all about it. Sorry guys!

Before performing this update do not forget to back up all of your data! This update will completely restore your phone to its default factory settings! You can download the update from one of the two links below:

• Download for Windows XP
• Download for Windows Vista

HTC's Dream in the Flesh (Well, Plastic)

"Sure, we've seen some blurry videos and managed a few stolen glimpses when Andy Rubin demonstrated this beast, but now we've gotten our hands on a slew of pictures showing off a very real T-Mobile-branded Dream in all its Android-running glory. Not only does this confirm the design spied in those FCC docs as well as show off that nearly-done version of Android, but it seems to confirm the fact that this will be headed to T-Mobile, and sooner rather than later judging from the looks of the above device."

Will Android be a real compeditor to Windows Mobile? A lot of people are hoping so, but I'm reserving judgment until I see it in action myself. It looks like there's a lot to like, but building a mobile operating system isn't a a cakewalk and until seeing Google's new Chrome browser, I had very little faith in Google's ability to develop desktop software. I do like the look of the user interface above - looks quite Mac-like, and that's not a bad thing on a mobile device.

Spb Software House Announces Spb Online

"Today at ITU Telecom Asia, Spb Software, the world's leading maker of Windows Mobile software, releases Spb Online to mobile network operators. Spb Online is a set of premium online services for 3G networks that stimulates subscriber uptake of mobile entertainment. Spb Online makes the following services easily accessible from handsets: Mobile TV, Online Radio, News, Weather, Online Games, On-device Catalog. Spb Online radically changes the on-device user experience, functioning as a clear single entry point to advanced online services from mobiles, and allows mobile network operators capture multiple benefits from 3G networks: Increased ARPU, Branding through fully customized content and UI, Improved subscriber loyalty through quality mobile experience. Spb Online, with its breakthrough patent pending TV technology and unparalleled on-device usability, is a solution that tackles the issue of weak user interest in multimedia services, fuels subscriber content discovery, and unlocks the potential of 3G."

Spb has just announced the availability of Spb Online for Windows Mobile Standard and Professional. But, before you rush off to the Spb Software House web site hoping to download it - while salivating uncontrollably, of course - you should know that it's only available for mobile carriers at this stage. End-users will get a shot later this year.

Jump the break for more screenshots.

Google Launches "Chrome" Web Browser

Yesterday, Google launched their own Web browser. Since this is pretty big news, I decided it was worth posting network-wide. Do we really need another browser? Before yesterday, my answer would have been no - I'm a very satisfied Firefox user, and Internet Explorer 8 is shaping up quite nicely. But after watching the 90 minute Google Webcast yesterday, I was very interested in with what Google had created. There's a great online comic that walks you through why Google created the browser, and what kinds of things were important to Google when creating Chrome. I think this comic is also how the browser was leaked before Google was ready to announce it.

The features list is pretty impressive for a beta, but the real proof is in using it: I just started doing that this morning, and I have to admit, the speed differeces that Google talked about really do make a difference. I have a fast cable modem connection (10 mbps, but I just tested it and it benchmarked at 25.2 mbps) so I don't usually think of the Web as being slow in general, but after hitting a dozen or so sites with Chrome, everything really does seem faster. Web pages seem to snap into place quicker, and Chrome itself is extremely responsive. The work that Google has done focusing on speed seems to have paid off in a big way.

Beyond speed, the way that Chrome works from a stability standpoint is fascinating: each tab is actually a separate running process. That means that if one Web page crashes your browser, it only takes down that one tab, leaving the rest intact. I've lost more work than I care to admit through Firefox and Internet Explorer crashes, so this is hugely appealing to me. Being a beta, there are some bugs and quirks, but I found that with the import of all my Firefox bookmarks, usernames, and passwords, I was up and running really quick. It includes an install of Flash (or maybe it's using what was already installed on my computer), so I was able to see and interact with everything on the Web easily.

The user interface and design of the browser is typical Google: minimalist, but well-thought out and quite effective. I really like the "Omnibox" which is a combination of address bar and search box. You just start typing something, and it quickly gives you options for searching Google (or whatever search engine you have configured) or going to that Web site. Chome still needs more polishing, but it's shaping up to be quite impressive. Check it out for yourself.

Live Mesh for Windows Mobile Surfaces at Tech.Ed Australia

Your eyes aren't deceiving you. Indeed, that's

Windows Mobile Development Webcast on September 3rd

"Tomorrow (September 3rd) there is a webcast available for those of you considering starting to develop applications for Windows Mobile. The webcast is an introductory session on developing managed applications for Windows Mobile devices. It will cover the tools that are available as well as giving guidance on how to best approach developing applications."

I just ran across this interesting little tidbit on Jason Langridge's blog. If you are looking to get into software development for the Windows Mobile platform, this would be an ideal starting ground. To sign up for the MSDN Webcast and for more information point your browsers over here.

Cage Match Between HTC Phones

"Now that the cat's out of the bag it was no trouble tracking down HTC's S740 this morning, and just for kicks we rammed the phone up against the Touch Pro, which we subsequently rammed against the Touch Diamond and an iPhone for a generally violent display of smartphone force. It is worth noting that while the S740's keys are similar to the Touch Pro's, they're not quite as deep or clicky, which leads to a rather sub-par typing experience by HTC's standards. That glossy mirror finish on the phone screens isn't doing them any favors either -- even when wiped smudge free it seems to impede viewing -- and we must say the Touch Pro's matte finish makes the Diamond and iPhone 3G look cheap in comparison"

Engadget is pitting brother against brother in their short note regarding the HTC s740, the Touch Pro, and the Touch Diamond. the s740 is a lovely device - now why can't they make ones this sleek with a touch screen yet? The size of the components was an issue years ago - shouldn't that have been resolved by now. In my mind, the Touch Pro should have the same dimensions (albeit with larger screen) as the s740.

Skymarket - Microsofts Own Application Store For Windows Mobile

"It appears the software giant expects to launch an applications store called Skymarket this fall for its Windows Mobile platform, if a recent job posting spotted by Long Zheng at Istartedsomething.com is accurate. According to the ad posted Sunday on Computerjob.com, the Skymarket senior product manager will head a team that will "drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile."

There is a link to the job posting in the article if you are interested. It is great to see Microsoft doing this, but it seems once again it took Apple to do it first and show that it really can help drive the market. Any bets MS has something along the lines of a MobileME in the works, but one that works correctly of course.

Hurricane Information Optimized For Your Mobile Device

Bev Howard has set up his mobile web page with tons of links to sites optimized for mobile browsers over any speed to keep you up to date on the latest track of hurricate Gustav or other tropical storms that may be brewing. If you are interested in hurricane activity in North America, you should click on the link above and add it to your mobile favorites.

FOX Business Showcases Windows Mobile Devices

"Microsoft Mobile Communications Group Manager Scott Rockfeld was on Fox Business chatting up quite a lot of Windows Mobile devices. The context of the discussion is basically 'competitors to the iPhone,' which is a little aggravating because, let's face it, the iPhone and Windows Mobile aren't always going for the same demographic. Some of the smartphones shown off: HTC Diamond, HTC Touch Pro, and the BlackJack II."

I've watched this video several times, mostly because the Touch Diamond looked so swanky in it, but also because I thought Scott Rockfeld, Microsoft Mobile Communications Group Manager, handled himself brilliantly. Scott came out swinging showing off some of the more popular Windows Mobile 6.1 devices on the market, including the HTC touch Diamond, and was really hammering home that the Windows Mobile platform is all about choice. This seems to tie in exactly with all of the recent talk on the Internet of Microsoft’s new "Windows Not Walls" campaign. On top of that you throw in the fact that every device featured in this segment has sold over a million or more devices it starts to make a lot of the recent Apple sales hype start to look a little sad.

Microsoft builds fantastic products but unfortunately they're not the best when it comes to feeding the publicity machine. One of the biggest hurdles for Windows Mobile has always been lack of visibility in the public’s eye. All of us as Smartphone and Pocket PC fans have heard the pitch that Scott gave in this video dozens of times over but I think Microsoft is finally understanding that we are not the ones that need to be told this over and over again but instead the general populous needs to know. I just hope Microsoft does more of these segments on other news networks. So what did you guys think of the video?

New Mobile Portal in v2 Beta: KeyToss

"KeyToss mobile is extremely customizable, and similar in concept to iGoogle for mobile, but it's got a lot of cool and unique features, including: the ability to search using dozens of different search tools (e.g., Google, Amazon, IMDb, UPS Package Tracking, Acronym Finder, Dictionary.com, Wikipedia) from one search bar; local searches on Google Local, Yelp, and yellowpages.com based on your stored location; RSS and Atom newsfeeds with mobile-optimized links; localized links (so you don't have to enter your location when you click on Fandango, for example); the ability to organize modules on multiple pages; and file transfers between PC and phone. You can also get sports scores for your favorite (US-based) teams, weather, stock quotes, etc. And you can manage your site from your desktop at www.keytoss.com."

Mobile data is great to have, but while some sites either scale nicely or offer a seperate mobile version, others can crash your browser as you see "heavy" entry pages. A mobile portal is a convenient way to be able to pull frequently requested data into one location. Speaking of location, KeyToss will access location-aware data without requiring GPS so you won't have to re-enter a zipcode on some sites. WapReview compared it very favorably to iGoogle. You can check out a desktop representation or visit the site directly on your smartphone or other mobile device at http://m.keytoss.com. For those that use a mobile portal, does KeyToss offer enough unique features for you to switch?

Even Critics Give Apple a Pass on iPhone 3G Woes

"Such a string of mishaps and missteps might throw another electronics company into crisis. But of course, Apple Inc. isn't just another electronics company. Even as iPhone griping rages online, it looks like Apple's sterling reputation will emerge untarnished. Baba Shiv, a professor of marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, compares Apple's fan base to Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders who pass over arguably higher-quality Japanese bikes.Shiv said Apple's fans play down negative information to explain their relationship to the brand - and justify spending more for products that may not be better than the competition's. Once that loyalty is formed, "the transgression has to be so egregious for someone to completely change the narrative," Shiv said. 'If something like this had happened to Microsoft, the long-term impact would be much more for Microsoft than for Apple.'"

I'm just curious what you all think of this article. Apple and it's beloved iPhone have certainly had their share of mishaps lately. They've had some real problems with MobileMe, 3G, the App store, syncing, freezing, security and so on and yet it seems that no matter what they do, there's a strong loyal crowd that will defend them to the hilt. Yet when Microsoft has issues or flaws with just about anything, forums around the web seem to rip them apart. So after reading the article, do you agree that "Apple's sterling reputation will emerge untarnished?" Do you think there's a bias towards Apple sometimes? Are Apple and MS really on playing fields that are that different or is it just easier to pick on one more than the other?

MOTO Q Global with Windows Mobile 6.1 Now Available from AT&T

"Motorola and AT&T Inc. today announced the availability of the MOTO Q Global with Windows Mobile 6.1, one of the first devices featuring the latest mobile software on sale to the public. Available exclusively to AT&T customers, the new MOTO Q Global has a bold pinstripe design with eye-catching metallic edging and a robust feature set, including Motorola’s patented CrystalTalk technology for clear calls, assisted GPS via the AT&T network for quick, accurate location fixes, and threaded SMS for chat-like texting."

If you read this site regularly then you probably know how I feel about Motorola constantly rehashing the same design and making a big hoopla about the handset like it is the first time we have ever seen it. They did this with the Motorola RAZR for years and now they are doing it once again to the Motorola Q9 Global. The only difference between every other time that Motorola has done this and today is that I actually like this new handset! Sure it is the same exact Motorola Q9 variant we have all grown to know and love but now it is up to date with the latest version of Microsoft's mobile platform - Windows Mobile 6.1 - and the new silver and pinstripe design is actually pretty snazzy. Mix this together with the already incredibly QWERT keyboard, 1.3MP camera, aGPS, Opera browser and Documents To Go and you have yourself one incredibly powerful device in a tiny sleek form factor. Thumbs up to Motorola! Read the full press release after the jump.

MOTO QTM Global with Windows Mobile 6.1 Now Available from AT&T

Motorola’s Popular Q Global sports a sleek new appearance and advanced functionality for a different kind of smart phone experience

Schaumburg, Ill., 28 August 2008 – Motorola (NYSE:MOT) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced the availability of the MOTO Q™ Global with Windows Mobile 6.1, one of the first devices featuring the latest mobile software on sale to the public. Available exclusively to AT&T customers, the new MOTO Q Global has a bold pinstripe design with eye-catching metallic edging and a robust feature set, including Motorola’s patented CrystalTalk™ technology for clear calls, assisted GPS1via the AT&T network for quick, accurate location fixes, and threaded SMS1 for chat-like texting.

“Consumers have been clamoring for a single device with the most advanced Windows Mobile software to keep them connected, informed and entertained, all while looking sleek and sharp,” said Juergen Stark, corporate vice president of Productivity, Mobile Devices, Motorola, Inc. “Motorola is proud to provide AT&T customers with one of the first devices featuring Windows Mobile 6.1, and the unparalleled smart phone experience of our MOTO Q Global.”

Much like the original MOTO Q Global, that was lauded for its ergonomically-designed keyboard, voice quality and 3G speeds, the new Q also comes pre-loaded with Good Mobile Messaging1 and BlackBerry Connect1, an Opera browser and the award-winning Documents To Go from DataViz3, which enables users to view, create and edit Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files as well as view Adobe PDF files.

The new Q strives to enhance the user experience with productivity features, including the latest device and security management and improved messaging. Integrated GPS gives consumer seamless access to location-based services with AT&T Navigator for use both in the U.S. and abroad, including spoken and text-based turn-by-turn directions and business finder capabilities. The device also helps business owners manage their mobile workforce with TeleNav Track1 a fully hosted GPS-based workforce-management solution. Motorola’s CrystalTalk technology helps users to hear and be heard, and AT&T Mobile Music1 and MEdiaNet1 keeps users entertained, while on the go.

With a new pinstripe design accented with tasteful chrome elements and sleek metallic edging, the new Q brings a bit of class and a little something different to its users.

Windows Mobile 6.1 Experience
Windows Mobile 6.1 provides the latest in mobile software technology, making it easier for users to stay connected and receive up-to-the minute updates. New capabilities, such as a new sliding panel home screen design that enables users to find things of importance quickly, threaded SMS for chat-like texting, and the ability to cut and paste, significantly enhance the user experience. Users can now keep track of appointments or messages with just a glance, while playing music, browsing pictures, or downloading a favorite song1, 2 can all be done with just a click.

For the enterprise user, Windows Mobile 6.1 provides advanced user-friendly applications, such as support for Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager to provide single-point access to applications, files and other information located on the corporate network. For added security, Windows Mobile 6.1 supports encryption, remote administration, Information Rights Management and enables users to send and receive encrypted email.

Pricing and Availability
MOTO Q Global is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract and qualified voice and data plans at AT&T retail stores nationwide, online at http://www.att.com, at select national retailers and through AT&T’s business-to-business sales organizations. Unlimited monthly data plans, which include corporate e-mail, are $44.99 a month with a voice contract. Personal data plans, which include personal e-mail, begin at $29.99 a month for 20MB of data. AT&T also offers international data plans for the MOTO Q Global covering 67 countries — 20MB for an additional $24.99 a month or 50MB for an additional $59.99 a month. AT&T Navigator is available for an additional monthly charges of $9.99 for domestic service, or $19.98 for domestic and international use. TeleNav Track monthly service plans range from $12.99 to $21.99 for each device.

Small business customers also can add AT&T’s new BusinessTalk voice plans, which start at $60 a month for five users and 700 Anytime Minutes and can be expanded for $9.99 a line to accommodate up to 40 users and 20,000 Anytime Minutes. Companies also may choose BusinessTalk with either unlimited Mobile to Mobile or Push To Talk features. For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit http://www.att.com

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications. The company develops technologies, products and services that make mobile experiences possible. Our portfolio includes communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility solutions, digital set-tops, cable modems, mobile devices and Bluetooth accessories. Motorola is committed to delivering next generation communication solutions to people, businesses and governments. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $36.6 billion in 2007. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com.

Certain mobile phone features may not be available throughout the entire network or their functionality may be limited. All features, functionality and other product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

1 Network and/or SIM card dependent feature, not available in all areas. Airtime, data charges and/or additional charges may apply. Wireless e-mail functionality requires an e-mail account with wireless server capabilities.
2 The unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials is contrary to the provisions of the Copyright Laws of the United States and other countries. This device is intended solely for copying non-copyrighted materials, materials in which you own the copyright, or materials which you are authorized or legally permitted to copy. If you are uncertain about your right to copy any material, please contact your legal advisor.
3 Includes support of Office versions 2000 and 2003

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. 2008. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Motorola, Inc. 2008. All rights reserved.

© 2007 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

HTC Dream Skinny Compared to iPhone?

"Attempts to keep the most hotly anticipated consumer electronics devices under wraps these days are getting more and more futile. It's hard enough for companies to control disgruntled employees and leaks in the international supply chain, stir in a giant government organization and things quickly unravel. Case in point: T-Mobile's HTC Dream, widely believed to be the world's first Android handset. After Engadget loosed the Dream from its FCC constraints on the 18th of August, HTC contacted the agency on the 19th with a request to use a less detailed diagram for the FCC label placement. Fortunately for us they complied, giving us what can only be construed as official measurements in the process. The newly unveiled 115 x 55-mm dimensions tell us that it beats the iPhone 3G in terms of length and width but is almost certainly thicker than the iPhone due to the Dream's sliding QWERTY"

Everybody has news on the Dream, whether you want to hear it or not. Engadget speculates repeatedly (here and here) on it's dimensions via FCC documents. And the above video with the Darth Vader like breathing? Well it's probably the lord of the Sith playing with a Dream, if you're to believe the hype surrounding it. I guess we'll know more in coming days, but at this rate I have to let Dream information sit in my inbox for a day or two before posting to make sure it's not changed, updated, debunked, or clarified. I wish this thing would just appear in the marketplace!

Microsoft SyncToy v2.0

"There are files from all kinds of sources that we want to store and manage. Files are created by our digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. Increasingly, computer users are using different folders, drives, and even different computers (such as a laptop and a desktop) to store, manage, retrieve and view files. Yet managing hundreds or thousands of files is still largely a manual operation. In some cases it is necessary to regularly get copies of files from another location to add to primary location; in other cases there is a need to keep two storage locations exactly in sync. Some users manage files manually, dragging and dropping from one place to another and keeping track of whether the locations are synchronized in their heads. Other users may use two or more applications to provide this functionality. Now there is an easier way. SyncToy, a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows, is an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without additional complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another case. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder."

I installed this yesterday and I really like it. It has finally let me set up backups the way they should be done and should be much speedier. I've actually set it up to do three separate synchs of my user data (which totals 82 GB). The first synch goes to a second hard drive installed in my PC. I set a Windows task to automatically perform this synch ever time I boot up. A second synch occurs weekly to network storage. Finally I set up an on-demand synch with a USB drive to let me quickly update my off-site backups. Now that they are all set up, synching the changes will be MUCH quicker than the full backups I was previously doing. Plus, having a fully automated synch will protect me from my own laziness!

Apple iPhone Ads in UK Declared Misleading

"Apple has come under scrutiny on its iPhone 3G for false advertising, and now the Advertising Standards Authority, a UK ad group, has come forth to declare a specific television ad for the touch-based smartphone to be misleading to consumers."

Above is the ad in question, and while I'm not normally a fan of the Eurocratic system of slapping fines on every company they can find, it's pretty easy to see their point here: Apple makes some very bold claims about having the best browsing experience on a mobile device, but that browsing experience comes to a screeching halt as soon as you hit any Web site that uses Flash - and many of them do. These commercials fail to mention that. They also fail to highlight that nothing happens that quickly on a 3G network, but that might be splitting hairs. Java is also mentioned, but I can count the number of times I see the Sun JVM fire up on my PC on one hand - and it's almost always when I'm uploading photos on Smugmug. Is Java on a phone really needed for Web browsing? I don't think it is.

So why did Apple leave Flash out of the iPhone, even in the second generation product? This article has some insights, but I suspect the truth is somewhere along the lines of Adobe wanted "x" amount in royalties off every iPhone sold, and Apple balked at that. That's just my guess mind you, but the iPhone has a lot of power under the hood so I find it likely that the blocking point here is business negotiations, not a technological limitation.

Adobe has fumbled the ball for years on mobile devices. Their model on the desktop has been giving away the player for free to encourage developer adoption of Flash, which in turns sells all their commercial Flash development tools - and we've seen how that's worked out extremely well. For reasons of short-sighted profit, they turned that around on the mobile device side of things: they seem to want licensing fees to put Flash on any mobile phone. And that's the reason why to this day we haven't seen any great Flash implementations on a Windows Mobile device. Maybe there's an opportunity here for Microsoft to steal some Flash thunder with Silverlight? If they released Silverlight clients for the iPhone and Windows Mobile, they'd give Flash developers a viable alternative for mobile device playback?

Photoshop.com Going Mobile in September

"Adobe® Photoshop.com Mobile is the easiest way to upload, view, and share your photos online from your phone. All you need is a supported Windows Mobile phone and your Photoshop.com account ID. Photoshop.com Mobile beta will be available as a free download in September."

Adobe claims that Photoshop.com Mobile will only support the MOTO Q, Blackjack, and Treo 700/750 series, although we're willing to bet most other Windows Mobile devices will handle it just fine as long as Flash is installed. At any rate, we'll let you know the moment it's available.

Samsung/Rogers: Where's My Nice Phone Graphic?

That's my Samsung Jack, also known as the Blackjack II, and I purchased it through Rogers Wireless a few weeks back. There are a lot of things that I don't like about the Windows Mobile Device Center, but one of the things I've always thought was cool was that when you connected a device, it should show you a graphic appropriate to that device. When I connected my HTC Touch Diamond, I saw a little graphic of the HTC Touch Diamond. So why is it that my Blackjack II, when connected, shows me that generic phone image? You other Blackjack II owners, do you see the same thing? Or do you see a graphic for your Blackjack II? I have a strong hunch that this is something that Rogers Wireless simply screwed up on...