aGPS: Only Great When Supported
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Otherwise, you’re better off using plain ol’ GPS.
I learnt this the hard way yesterday when I decided to take the Touch HD out for a navigational spin. Having TomTom all set up and running, I wanted to see if the lag issue (which will be discussed in another article) was as bas as some claim it was. What I found out instead was totally unexpected.
Protecting Data with Encryption
Smartphones have gone from being a novelty to an essential business and mobile tool. They not only allow users to access the Internet from anywhere, but they can also be used to view PowerPoint presentations, write and review documents, and receive email. While portability makes the gadgets popular, it also makes them easier to steal. Personal data stored on a smartphone can be easily copied or removed and used in malicious ways.
The solution to prevent this is the same often touted for computer data security - encryption. Encrypting files ensures that if an unauthorized individual comes in contact with the data, they will be unable to open the file and scan it’s content.
Data encryption on Windows Mobile is a newly developing field - with the release of higher-capacity and better equipped smartphones, more users are looking for ways to protect their data. One of the most sophisticated and popular methods of doing so is via PocketLock, which encrypts files and folders with ARC4 128-bit encryption, and then protects it with a password. The file can be decrypted with the PocketLock software, or easily unlocked by entering the correct password.
There’s a MobileHeist Going On
And you’ll be the one to benefit from it. For 5 days only, our affiliate store, MobiHand, has some great titles at unbelievable prices. Titles like Pocket Informant and Resco Explorer 2008 should already be on your device but if they aren’t, now’s the best time for you to get them at 50% off the regular price. They’ll cost just $14.98 each! Just head over to the links below to make your selection:
But hurry! Offer is good till December 23rd 2008 only. There are no coupon codes or special instructions to enjoy these prices; just follow the links above, choose your software and checkout. MobiHand just makes it so easy don’t they?
I Hate My Fuze, I Love My Fuze
I have been saying this over and over again since I got my HTC Fuze…
The Fuze is one of the flagship devices for AT&T and really the entire Windows Mobile Professional brand right now. It has all of the bells and whistles just like the AT&T Tilt did when it was released. To some, it is the next step in the evolution of a HTC Windows Mobile device. To others, it is a step backwards because it loses some functionality that the Tilt had…
Christmas Gift Idea: Gift Cards
It’s not original but it’s still a great gift idea this Christmas: gift cards from our store. They’re so easy to get and you can send them to those near and far. Unlike most gift cards, you get an option of which one to choose:
Product Specific Cards
So you know what kind of software they’ve been eyeing. Why not give it to them? Product specific gift cards are great stocking stuffers and adds a level of personalization because you know exactly what they want and give it to them.
How it works: Go to the product page for the software you want to give and click on the “Send as e-Gift” button. During the checkout process you will asked for the recipients name and email address. You can also specify the date of delivery and add a personal message.
Cash Value Gifts
Maybe they were not specific about what they want. Or maybe they wanted to give some of those software a try before deciding on which one to purchase. If that sounds like your gift recipient, these cash value gifts are perfect for him and her. Choose any amount and check out!
To make it easy for one and all, you don’t need to know their Hotsync ID, Owner Name, or PIN. When they redeem their e-Gift they will be asked to enter that information themselves. We also have accessories in our store, from chargers and cases to Bluetooth headsets as well so make My Today Screen’s Software Store your one-stop shop for all the Windows Mobile fans in your life. And don’t forget to get something for yourself too.
A Great Backup Just Got Better
When I was first asked to review Resco Backup, I was rather hesitant because I was so comfortable with Spb Backup. It had been a great solution for me, backing up promptly at 2 every morning and restoring my files reliably as well when the time came. But I did give it a shot and what do you know…
The Arcade Greatest Hits 2008
This is going to be a bitter sweet post for me. First the sweet. What can I say, I love bringing you free stuff, and The Arcade has given me an opportunity to do that on a monthly basis for over two years now. And today, we are not just going to look at any five applications. No. Today, we are looking at the best of the best. The top five Arcade applications from the past year. But before we get to that, we should probably talk about the bitter.
This is going to be the last entry for The Arcade. As much as I love doing this column, it has simply grown untenable for it to continue. As much as it saddens me, over the course of the past months, trends in the development community have shifted significantly. Development of free Windows Mobile games has slowed significantly, almost grinding to a halt. Does this mean there is nothing left? Of course not. What it does mean, though, is this: when I started the arcade in November 2006, there were roughly 4-5 or more free Windows Mobile games getting developed weekly. This gave me a huge pool of games from which to choose, not to mention all of the older, existing games. This pace has slowed significantly, however, since the iTunes app store opened for business. To the point that now, I am lucky if I can find 4-5 new games each month (and often less).
But don’t worry all of you lovers of free software, there is still hope for you. In addition to Tariq’s 111 free Windows Mobile apps, I just kicked off a new series over at just Another Mobile Monday called Free For All. This new series will cover free games and applications, not only on Windows Mobile, but also on Symbian, iPhone, Blackberry, and more. Heck, it is a little something for everyone, so check that out.
OK. So that is part 1. But that is not the really bad news. Some of you may have noticed that I have not been around here much lately. And it saddens me to have to say that this will be my last post here at My Today Screen. As most of you know, over the summer, I took over the operation at Just Another Mobile Monday. And for a few months, I really thought i could pull off running both sites. But the truth was that I was not giving either site the attention it deserved. So, I made the decision that I would have to step aside from one of the sites. With huge apologies to Tariq, I determined that I would have to leave My Today Screen and focus on JAMM. but in my absence, it looks to me like you are all going to be in good hands with Tariq, Brett, and the rest of the gang here at MTS.
Anyway, enough of that. I did not come here to share my issues. I came here to share some free games with you. So, let’s go ahead and get on with that. This month, like I said, I am going to take a look back over the past year and highlight what I felt were the top five games we looked at here in The Arcade. So, what were the best games of 2008? Here we go:
Crimson Fields
Pocket RackO
Creatonia
Realms
Tangled Bugs
Windows Mobile Worthless?
So thinks Gizmodo. You might have read about how they were biased in their browser wars. Word got to them and they redid it with more powerful devices and included Opera Mini 9.5 beta this time around. But what bothered me was this:
If you haven’t noticed in our reviews of Windows Mobile phones, we’ve basically ceased comparing to them anything but other WM phones, in a wishful attempt at dulling our totally appropriate disdain for the OS, lest the review essentially turn into one giant bitchfest. They’re clearly off in their own world of performance and function.
I won’t touch another Windows Mobile phone until WM7 or at least 6.5, no matter how awesome the hardware looks. Call me when it runs Android.
Seriously Gizmodo? Do you read what you write?
Boy, Do I Miss The Touch HD
Yeah, I no longer have the HTC Touch HD with me but that’s a temporary situation right now because I’ve sent it over to the guys at ZAGG to apply an Invisible Shield. It’s a military-grade clear plastic that is wrapped around the device to protect it from scratches. Just how good is the protection? See for yourself:
Nope, I am not going to put the Touch HD through such a test but I will definitely be covering it in greater detail when I get it back (hopefully sometime later next week).
Until then, I have been and currently am using the BlackBerry Pearl (initially the 8100 and currently the 8120) and I really do not understand why it’s such a great platform.
Unboxing The HTC Touch HD
Sorry it took so long. A slow computer, a busy work week couple with lack of experience with video editing all played a part in getting this unboxing video of the HTC Touch HD out. But now that it’s up on YouTube, fire away with your comments and tests you would like to see being carried out. Enjoy the video.
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Update: There is a problem with the audio from 4:20 onwards. I am currently fixing it and will upload the new version. Sorry about that.
Update: Video is now fixed.
