HTC just launched a new Windows Mobile Professional
(nope, I refuse to remind you guys again that Pro is the new WM 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition which is the new Windows Mobile 2003SE which is the Pocket PC 2002 which is the...no...not funny?)
which set the industry on it's ear.

Well, not exactly.
That would be the i-that-must-not-be-named-phone.

Well, you lucky ducks, Hal just gave me permission to post a my review of the Wing that will appear in the next issue of the magazine. So, below you'll find a slightly edited copy...As always, your feedback is welcome. Enjoy!

T-Mobile is on a roll, recently announcing a Windows Mobile 6 Standard upgrade program for its Dash Smartphone users and then North America’s first ever WM6 Professional device—The T-Mobile Wing. T-Mobile’s focus on style is evident in the devices it sells, and the Wing fits in with the Nokia 8801, Blackberry Pearl, and other smartphones it offers.

I hate traffic. So do you (I think).

Unfortunately, there is very little we can actually do about it; the only effective action we can take against traffic doesn't really stop it- we can avoid it. The problem is how do we know when and where it will take place? You can, of course, use applications like INRIX traffic, or Google Maps and Windows Live Search to display visual indication of estimated traffic lockups or real-time accidents.

Like Parrot, Scosche Industries hopes to take over your life with their Bluetooth products. Selling Bluetooth accessories, their line is not as expensive as Parrot’s or other high end manufacturers, but is positioned just above ANYCOM’s line.

At CTIA, we stopped by the Scosche booth for a bit, and looked at their Bluetooth product line, which encompasses car kits, home stereo adapters, and headphones.

ANYCOM (yet another Bluetooth oriented company) introduced the FIPO at CTIA. Basically, it’s a little gizmo that you can place into an iPod socket for Bluetooth stereo streaming. It took me a few seconds to grasp the concept here as well- in other words, you put the FIPO (which has an iPod jack) onto a device (like an iPod cradle or car transmitter), and then pair it with a Bluetooth streaming source-an iPod with a Bluetooth adapter, your A2DP compatible cellphone, or any A2DP source.

A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) is the latest buzzword in the portable music industry. Why do you care? Because your mobile device (especially if it’s a Windows Mobile device) probably has it built in. And if it does, that means that after hitting the "Read More" link, you are about to learn about an entire new world of wireless music.

MobiMate’s Worldmate was one of the first traveler oriented programs released for mobile devices back in 1999. Since then, Worldmate has become a catchphrase of sorts in the mobile travel business- with real-time “Flight Status” information being their claim to fame. But in fact, Worldmate does much more than that. Billed as a “Swiss Army Knife” for travelers, Worldmate delivers updated currency rates, clothing size conversion, weather information, and time zone changing from one easy to use screen.

As you have seen, many of the consumer products displayed at CTIA involved Bluetooth technology in some way. Another upcoming player in the Bluetooth field is BlueAnt Wireless. The name BlueAnt was derived from the ‘Blue’ of Bluetooth and the ‘Ant’ in Antennae. BlueAnt is a 4 year old Australian based company who entered the North American market in mid 2006.

Although they announced two new products at CTIA, I only looked at one of the two.

Like most of you, I imagine, I have been using Bluetooth earpieces for quite some time now. At first blush, the BT headset is the ultimate in wireless- true handsfree conversation. And, aside from its convenience, I find it an essential part of driving as it eliminates the dangers and risks (not to mention driving tickets- here in NY, it’s illegal to talk and drive) associated with talking while driving. I have long lamented though, that these ear pieces tend to become uncomfortable after extended periods of time, causing me to take them off; thus effectively defeating
their purpose. So, what to do?

Announced at the PMA Expo just a little before CTIA, the DataTraveler Reader is a joint memory card reader/flash drive. Technically an SD only card reader (it doesn't read Mini or Micro without an adapter) with a built in flash drive, when used in combination with a Dual Adapter pack (also from Kingston) the potency of this combination is increased. I find it has replaced my old flash drive’s place of honor in my bag, since with the DataTraveler, I have been able to drop the SanDisk SD card reader and standalone flash drive.