Microsoft Innovates And Here's Proof

Okay, so Microsoft has been down on its luck as far as its stock price is concerned. Oh, it is getting its clock cleaned by the iPhone an Android in the mobile market. But here's the thing. IDC predicts that Windows Phone 7 and/or whatever comes after will surge to such proportion that by 2015, it'll be the second most popular mobile platform on the planet.

Skeptical? Sure, who wouldn't be. But watching this Windows 8 video from Microsoft. Who says Microsoft does not innovate anymore?



Oh, and this is this week's Friday video clip. Have a great weekend!

SSD - A Must Have For Mobile Ruggedness

Upon learning that Apple will be going all out with SSD instead of traditional hard drives has me thinking that that the era of power efficient and relatively safer memory storage is upon us for every day mobile warriors and corporate drones.

Apple wasn't the first to come out with SSD but does that matter? Nor was Apple the first to have USB in the iMacs but that didn't matter either.

However, Apple made it okay to have USB in PCs and it was quickly adopted as a standard. And for SSD adoption, The MacBook Airs with SSD only options made it okay for for mass adoption for even consumer lines.

I imagine that by this time next year, Apple will have moved a majority of its macBook lines with SSD options. This will be followed by other PC makers, like Sony and its Vaio laptops.

Keep in mind though that hard drives are not going to go away for a long time. But for folks whose data are very important and requires more insurance from accidents, these excellent prices from Apple are welcoming news.

Personally, I think I've got another year left in my late-2008 unibody MacBook before I find that I need to move on. Plus, I've got my wonderful iPad that has quickly become my main go-to mobile device for work and play.

But if you're in The market now or will be soon, consider SSD options whether it's the MacBook Air or a Windows machine like the Viao.

Note: SSD while great still has issues with degradation over time. TRIM is built into Windows 7 while this support is still lacking in OS X. Perhaps Apple might have something coming in way of this beginning with SSD implementation in the new MacBook Airs.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

Current State of Mobile Computing: Tablet or Laptop

Depending on who you talk to you and who you believe, the netbooks, perhaps even lsptops, are taking a sales hit because of the iPad.

Perhaps. Then there are those who are not so sure this is happen on a large scale. Given the potential that Apple may be on the verge of a $20 billion quarter and cuts on orders by dorm laptop and netbook makers, it has industry and mobile observers such as myself very excited.

Is this the beginning of the end of mobile computing as we know it?

More at Greenjava Mobility.

Malware And Network Attacks Via Mobile Soon To Be Realized

Two disturbing mobile news this week should have security analysts and mobile warriors on a bit of an alert. No, I'm not talking about the Blackberry issue with the United Arab Emirates and the Saudis. That situation is looking more and more like RIM is backing away and capitulating.

I'm talking about vulnerabilities in mobile OS and systems that can allow hackers to break into mobile systems to wreck havoc or spread malicious codes.

Yesterday, a hole in the iOS so big that it allow users to jailbreak their iPhone via a Web browser. I'm not that well read when it comes to the inner workings of a mobile platform but it does sound pretty bad.

And it gets worse.

RIM's Torch Launch Over, Now Windows Phone 7 - Video Tour

Now that RIM has broken my heart by revealing it's been giving out copies of key to its kingdom, not even the news of the new Blackberry Torch is enough to make people happy and excited. Just ask the blogs and the market as investors priced down the stock.

Bottom-line: RIM is likely to hold serve and keep fans happy but its version of OS 6 doesn't have what it takes to attract new users.

Well, security issues aside, RIM will likely continue to grow at a nice pace. We'll see what the fallout of the United Arab Emirates shutdown is going to do.

Now, the focus will be on Windows Phone 7. Here a 4-part video on what we can expect. There's nothing new here that we haven't seen from Microsoft and even other mobile platforms. But the looks is a bit different. That's always good.

Enjoy.









Convincing?

More at WMpoweruser.

Is Palm Even Bothering Anymore?

Yeah, it's been a while since we've heard anything concrete about Palm or its WebOS. Rather, HP's WebOS now.

And you'd think that if Palm does try to follow Apple's example, Palm should by at Palm 2 by now. And yes, all we got was the Pixi. Seriously, I've been worried for a long time but the raging war between Apple's iPhone and Google's Android army has really sucked the air out of the room for a lot of people. Yes, Palm, RIM and Microsoft feels your pain (though Microsoft had the unfortunate distinction of making the news by killing off its two month old Kin line).

So where is Palm going from here and will HP allow the creative energy that created WebOS and Pre to flourish within the HP empire?  Palm Infocenter managed to get this clip of HP's Phil McKinney, VP of HP's Personal Systems Group, talk about HP's mobile device plans and affirm its interests in the mobile market.

Is it too late?

Is Wireless Internet Now Essential?

Is wireless essential now?  There are more mobile warriors than ever before.  I consider anyone who carry a PDA, laptop, or any mobile device and swears by it a mobile user.  But I wonder if wireless Internet is an essential part of that mobile experience.

I had a short discussion with my cousin overseas who managed to lay his hands on an iPhone 4 and was blown away with the FaceTime feature, the video chat feature that Apple is promoting heavily with iPhone 4. He was amazed by what you can do with the iPhone.  I think he would have been amazed with a Windows Mobile or Android device as well.  After all, his previous experience with mobile is a work issued Blackberry that he uses for e-mail purpose only.

We concluded that mobile Internet, while convenient and even essential for some folks, is merely a luxury for the rest of us.  To be honestly, I don't need my 3G connection for work but I love having it.  It isn't as if I am going to miss anything if check my tweets or Facebook at home instead of on-the-go.  And my blog posts can wait until I get  home and upload them once I am in range of a Wi-Fi network.

Then I discussed, not quite jokingly, with Dave the Mobile Warrior about giving up wireless Internet for a short duration just to see how it feels it to be "cut off" and not connected all the time. And right now, I am writing this post on my work PC while watching Happy Town on the Wi-Fi only iPad tethered to my G1.  So my conviction isn't as strong as before being able to enjoy full use of the iPad.  

I guess what I am saying is that mobile communication through telephony, not VOIP, is going to be the main communication for quite some time and I can appreciate the convenience it offered and why folks are getting rid of their landlines.  However, most people are fine without mobile Internet.  

And if I do go through with this experiment of going without wireless access, I don't know how long I'll last before I'm begging for my 3G to be switched back on.  I know that there are people who think any notion of going without 3G access insane.  

So, what do you think?  In the iPhone age we live in now, is wireless Internet absolutely necessary?  Should I go through with this experiment?

Note:  I'm more inclined to give this a try if I can be certain that once I asked my 3G feature turned off, T-Mobile isn't going to come back and get rid of unlimited wireless Internet.

iPhone: Comparison Chart From Tmo or it iPhone 4 Coming to Tmo

I don't want to get ahead of myself here but there is something I want to share with you. Tmo-News got a hold of what looks like a comparison chart between three of T-Mobile's top existing mobile devices and the iPhone 4 (except in the picture, it is that of the 3GS).

Now, that could be just what is it: a comparison chart. Or is it? It doesn't seem to be making any disparaging remarks about the iPhone. Rather, it seems to be playing up both the strengths of iPhone 4 and iOS4. The three devices also in the chart are myTouch Slide (lame because it's using two-year old tech), HTC HD2 (lame because it's using last decade's OS), and Garminfone (no comment because I honestly know nothing about it but welcome it to the market because more competition, the better).

As with other comparisons released by, say, Verizon, Verizon make sure not to make the iPhone sound good at all (like what "Droid does"). Not one single good thing about the iPhone at all.





Again here, the descriptions for the iPhone 4 could have come from Apple or ATT because they all sounded very good. Lots of Apps. New OS. Thinnest iPhone. Better battery life. Frontal camera. Better display than the other devices.

So, I submit this: this is not a comparison chart but a chart of a line-up of mobile devices that T-Mobile has and will have in the near future that includes the iPhone 4?

Why with the wrong pictures for the iPhone? My theory is that No one has been given the right marketing pictures (comparison chart or otherwise) of the iPhone 4. T-Mobile can't very well go to ATT and Apple's websites and rip off the pictures they need.

Also, to keep in mind. Most of Tmo-News' commenters do not think this is anything other than a comparison chart that really made some of them want to get an iPhone 4.

What do you think it is?

Note: This may well be just that, a comparison chart that was trying to be "fair and balanced" (take notes, Foxnews) and nothing more. Historically, folks unhappy with ATT have unlocked their iPhones for use with T-Mobile running on the slower EDGE rather than suffer through the network issues or whatever problems they may have encountered with ATT in the past (for me, it was bad coverage and worst customer services in the industry). Or, though not likely because of Tmo-News' connection, is that this is a fake chart to make us think the iPhone is coming to T-Mobile.

More at Tmo-News


-- Post From My iPad

Questions About the HP-Palm Deal

Here are a few questions HP buying Palm that I have:

1. When will I see Pre 2?!
2. What is the future for WebOS?  
3. Will WebOS find itself on other mobile devices like smartbooks and tablets?  If so, how soon?
4. HP's slate has not been well received from the looks of things.  Can WebOS be the answer?
5. How will HP position itself and WebOS against the rest of the field that is different from what Palm has already done and succeed?

While we've got many questions about the deal, the fact that HP bought Palm does say a lot about the mobile market in general. 

• HP doesn't want to play second fiddles to WM7 or Android.  It certainly doesn't see Windows 7 as a viable platform for the tablet market given the iPad competition.
• WebOS promises to offer more in terms of mobility for the tablet and other mobile devices.
• HP doesn't want to be left out of the mobile war.  With Palm, it entered the market is a big way.  Catching up and, in some cases, surpassing players already in the arena.
• iPad is a threat.  More specifically, Apple's mobile strategy is a threat.  Palm was dismissed by its competitors as a threat.  HTC, Dell, Lenovo, and others saw nothing of value that Palm can offer them.  HP was not even in the mobile market as a serious contender.  But with HP/Palm, now we've got something people need to pay attention to.
• HTC seems happy with Microsoft's patent deals but really in bed with Android.  HTC doesn't see WM7 as a major game changer.  HP probably doesn't either.  
• Dell, Lenovo, and others did not pick up Palm. Same reason as HTC.  Android is the future.

What HP needs to do:

• Assure the millions of loyal Palm fans (or is it mere hundreds of thousands now) that it intends to go forth with innovations and investments in WebOS.
• WebOS gets another chance to establish itself in the market.  This time, time and money isn't going to be an issue.
• Investors need to be patient and not have lofty expectations.  Palm has a lot of issues to resolve but the resources of HP should help immensely.
• Quickly bring to market products.  HP may need to go out and buy other mobile companies with products and services to complement WebOS.
• It needs to streamline.  WebOS and nothing else.  No Android or WM7.  The Slate will run Windows 7 but quickly release another one with Tegra 2 for the tablet and possibly Snapdragon for the smartphone.  
• Deal with everyone and anyone in the wireless services.  
• Possibly even license WebOS.

What do you think?

More at Engadget, Business Insider, Reuters, HP Press Release

That Other Big Mobile Event This Weekend

This is a big weekend in mobile. Of course you know that. You can't miss it. That's right. T-Mobile has once again, and likely not for the last time, sold out of HD2 online.

Well, you not going to hear to end of it from the Windows Mobile folks and the fanboys who just can't shut up about how great T-Mobile is and how its upcoming 3G upgrade, HSPA+, is going to give WiMax a run for its money and leave vaporware, LTE, with no room to hide.

I'm here to provide relief.  There just happens to be another mobile even this weekend from a fledging...no, I'm gonna be positive here...a mobile product with "potentials".  That's right.  I'm talking about the iPad.

After trying with the iPod and then again with the iPhone in the market, a little known company from Cupertino is hoping the third time is also a charm by trying change mobile computing again.

Unlike with the iPhone when Apple made folks wait hours, sometimes days, in line, the iPad was pre-ordered and rationed.  Still I expect lines in some of the more popular locations.  Yeah, I don't get what people in big cities and the lines they like to form.

So, if you're sick and tired of hearing about Windows Mobile 6.5, HD2, and T-Mobile, I'd turn my attention towards this iPad underdog and see if there is a Cinderella run in it.  After all, it is Final Four weekend.  And outside of CBS, no one is routing for Duke at all.

Note:  In all seriousness, expected to be inundated with iPad news.  I'll be leaving a bit early for my Apple Store and snapping pics of what I see to be interesting at my local launch (we're a small town) and some personal touches of my iPad at On Apple.

After iPad, Who's Next?

This iPad week whether mobile warriors from other camps like it or not. But it'll be over eventually and another platform will get the attention. So who might that be?

Amazon with Kindle? Sony with a slew of Viao tablets powered by PSP 2? Nintendo surprising us with DS tablet or Microsoft mashing Zune, Xbox , and WM7 into a revolutionary alternative to mobile computing?

How about HTC, Dell and HP? Well, I don't have much hope for these three based on what I see near-term but I like to be surprised.

More at Onxo Mobile Devices for analysis on who has the best chance of offering a complete mobile computing experience.

VOIP - Future Now

It's a bold move to begin saying that VOIP is starting to make traditional voice obsolete but it's already started.  Skype's the 800-pound gorilla in the room now but I think like any young market, being the first or the biggest is a terrific position to be in but it's never over with giants like Microsoft and Google coming after you.

Plus, voice being a traditional market for a lot of telecoms, they're not going to go quietly and just cede the market to others.  These guys are fighting, possibly, for their survival in a fast changing mobile market.

Over the next year, we're likely to see major changes in how wireless providers change their business models to accommodate the demand for VOIP instead of traditional voice plans.  We're going to see deal cut in such a way that they'll get a piece of the revenue generated from such a move.

How about platforms like the iPhone and Android?  It's a little different here.  No one knows what Apple's going to do given how they like to share nothing.  For Google, I can't think of anyone who doesn't believe VOIP is a market they're going to take Google Voice into.  This is probably why Apple hasn't approved Google's official Voice app.  Of course, this tells us where Apple's going as well.

For Nokia, RIM, and Palm, they'll probably be making deals with the likes of Skype.  I think acquisitions are also possible.  So for those mobile warriors that work in VOIP startups, prepare to be rich or close to it.

Microsoft just unveiled their Windows Phone Series, aka Windows Mobile 7.  I'm sure we'll see more in the coming days but with its tight integration with Live services, I foresee VOIP features as a part of MSN Messenger.  And soon.

For now, as mobile users, we just have to wait and let the coming storm settle.  See who's still in the race.  And as confusing as it'll be, we're the ones who get to pick the winners.  And the market is big enough for multiple VOIP providers.

Microsoft Needs To Say "Enough!"

Microsoft Needs To Say "Enough!"  No more screwing around.

It's time for Redmond to start changing rules and find another way to become relevant in the mobile sphere.  If you spend any amount of time on the Internet going through tech and gadget blogs, virtually everything you've read about is Android, Apple, Google, more Android, and iPhone.

I've read a few Windows Mobile mentions but mostly about how irrelevant WM has become in light of the surge of iPhone and the Android platform.

That's not to say that RIM should be fine with it.  Two main topics regarding the No. 1 smartphone maker in North America did not put the Canadian company in a positive light.   One was about how Storm 2 has failed even before it is out as Verizon Wireless concentrated on the Droid launch with Motorola.  And what's the other one?  Oh, it's just that the Apple is within striking distance of overtaking RIM as the number one device maker in the US.  Both negative and competing platforms still manage to get attention in the posts.

But back to Microsoft.  What's Redmond to do?  I don't have a solution but I do know that this cannot continue or else, desktop or office suite dominance, it will not matter in a few years as more folks rely on their mobile devices to conduct their personal and business affairs and continue the march away from desktops, laptops, and even netbooks.  (Chrome OS will likely gain a lot of attention in the netback segment even as Microsoft is trying to get folks to upgrade to Windows 7).

One example to look at is what Palm has done with Pre. While Palm came out with a good competitor to just about anything that was on the market.  But it lacked many things that others on the market had like its own music and app store.  At least at the time when it debuted in June, the app store was virtually nonexistent.

For Microsoft, Zune HD was a move in the right direction but it was mere a piece of a complicated puzzle.  With Danger, Zune, and the forthcoming WM 7 in the right mix, it can be a force to be reckon with in the mobile landscape.

However, Microsoft cannot afford to simply copy of what Apple has done with the iPhone ecosystem.  The fact that Apple can create a walled garden is uniquely an Apple experience.  Microsoft will likely be looking to partners to help flesh out the hardware as it offers the software (including games) portion.

I think this debate has not be settled and continues at Microsoft.  Can they continue to rely on partners or go at it alone, at least, in the initial part of their roadmap to reclaim relevancy in the mobile market?  It has demonstrated that it can make a first rate mobile device with Zune HD.  So don't be surprise when Zune HD continue to evolve with more functions and software.

And don't be surprised if Zune component of the mobile strategy gains a more robust gaming ability.  With the Tegra chip power the ZHD, it is a powerful system that so far is largely under utilized.

At the end of the day, Microsoft needs to provide an unique experience only Microsoft can provide.  It has an arsenal of impressive technologies and a very deep pocket.  But the window of opportunity is closing and it better hit it out of the park with when Windows Mobile 7  is launched.

WM 7 has been delayed more than a year.  I am hoping it was a year well spent.  I simply sensed that the old thinking about mobility at Microsoft has to be thrown out and something new be reborn.  Maybe Microsoft needs to let something go or break any mold they've been using so that something new can be reborn.  

Note:  Something new at Microsoft.  Hmm...here's my honest opinion about Steve Balmer.  Get rid of him.  He's no good for Microsoft and as a shareholder, I cringed every time he speak and then proven wrong weeks or months later about competitors or prospectives of Microsoft's own product.  Dude has got to go.  He's still living in the Windows 95 era.  

Nokia And Sony Ericsson - Can They Return To Prominence?

My initial intention was to try talking about Nokia and Sony Ericsson with the mention of the you-know-what that has a fruit for its corporate symbol.

Nokia just recently posted a loss of nearly $850 million while Sony Ericsson faired a bit better but still doesn't seem to have an answer to get back into the black. The public line is the economy. And while Sony Ericsson did fare a bit better than what analysts were expecting, it was still not the same thing as actually announcing a positive earnings.

I've long ago given up hope of trying to understand corporate reporting as allowed by regulatory agencies but that's now the issue here. Others in the industry have managed to do well despite the depressed global economy. So, how are Nokia and Sony Ericsson different from say RIM and Apple's mobile offerings?

The main difference I see here is the lack of a cohesive mobile plan on the part of Nokia and Sony Ericsson. Just ask Motorola. It's difficult to see how Nokia plan on turning things around but folks like Sony and Motorola are moving away from Windows Mobile to Android to power their devices and hoping that will solve their problems.

Still, it is difficult to ascertain if that will work as planned. The differentiating factor between Android and Windows Mobile (WM) is that both platforms have different backers and that Android is open source and free while WM is Microsoft's offering and isn't free. And as Android devices flood the market, there won't be much in terms of differentiation among themselves.

In essence, many of these companies using Android will not be able to differentiate themselves other than adding their own proprietary skins to run on top of Android. The underlying operating system remains the same. Not only will Android devices in the future have to contend with Palm, WM 7, Blackberry OS, and others, they will have to compete among themselves.

Sony will need to fend off HTC, Samsung, Motorola, and other Android hardware developers.

However, Nokia stands to have a better chance than Sony Ericsson since it offers its own mobile platform. The only thing that's lacking from Nokia is a mobile vision for its users and prospective mobile users.

Obviously, time will tell. We'll know into 2011 where things stand. By then, Android devices will be in their second or third generation hardware and OS improvements. We'll know if Sony Ericsson and others who chose to back Android was the right decision. And even as the smartphone market continue to grow and adoption accelerates in an improving global economy, it will be interesting to see if Nokia is able to hold its fort against the onslaught of smaller innovative mobile players.

More Robust Streaming On the Way? Good For Streaming Videos Wirelessly

The summer, aside from headlines dominating the release of the iPhone 3GS and Pre, Android devices flooding the market, and Microsoft's ineptitude to mount any kind of comeback in the wireless world, is FCC's interest in exclusive deals such as the one between Apple's iPhone and ATT.

The side-effect of that interest is the FCC asking questions about why Google Voice app for the iPhone was rejected.  This likely came about from the attention bloggers gave to the few developers whose apps were also rejected by Cupertino.  Justify or not, Apple's actions is in the crosshair of the government.

Perhaps, it's why a flood of apps that we might perceived as threats to Apple (their favorite line for rejecting apps is duplication of iPhone functions and anything that might confuse iPhone users) such as those from Rhapsody and Spotify (which I enjoy immensely thanks to Dave the Mobile Warrior) were allowed into the iTunes app store.

And perhaps it's why flood of apps approved today such as CNN's app that allows live video stream, mSpot's movie rental app (more at On Apple) that also allows streaming video, and EyeTV app into the app store.

Of course, we'll never know if attention from the FCC has anything to do with approval of above mentioned apps.

But I like to offer another theory.  Perhaps, ATT's network might be more robust now.  After all, they spent the summer beefing up their network for the flood of MMS service, not to mention that they'll have to gear up for the inevitable wireless tethering service as well.

And whatever reasons we believe ATT, Apple, or other app stores and providers might reject this app or that app, the direction we're headed is clear.  Apps that provide streaming video cannot be hindered for competitive reasons and wireless providers have no choice but to continue to beef up their networks to satisfy this particular need of their users.

Over on Apple, I'm especially excited about mSpot's app being approved because it bolds well for two video streaming services that I know millions of mobile users are particularly interested in:  Hulu and Netflix.

To be sure, talks between these Netflix and Hulu and Apple have taken place and development on these respective apps are going forward.  How do I know that?  For the same reason I mentioned above.  Streaming video services are coming to wireless devices.  No amount of feet dragging will stop that from happen.

And if for some reason, Apple is bold enough to keep Hulu and Netflix apps from being approved, I'm sure RIM, Palm, Nokia, Android (Google's wireless OS) and Microsoft will be happy to welcome those two apps into the ranks of their app store.

Back to wireless networks.  WiMax continues to be built and introduced into new markets by Sprint and Clearwire.  Verizon Wireless will follow up with their LTE network while ATT and T-Mobile beef up their 3G networks.  As wireless capacity expand and come online, there really is no excuse that streaming video from services like Netfix and Hulu should be allowed on them.

More about mSpot and chances of other apps that offer streaming videos at On Apple.

Can There Be One Dominant Player In The Smartphone Market?

When people think about the OS market, it's Microsoft.  When people think about MP3 players, it's iPod.  There's no question about that.

When people think smartphone, you probably get quite a different picture.  And it matters who you  talk to.  Blackberry.  Windows Mobile.  Symbian.  Am I leaving anyone out?  Hmmm....probably.

Palm's newly minted CEO, Jon Rubinstein, believes there can be multiple winners in the smartphone and mobile device market.  It's an assessment that many folks including myself also believe in.

There was a time when Palm had the whole PDA market to itself after Apple withdrew with the Newton all the while people begged Jobs to buy Palm.  Of course that didn't happen.  Today, Palm is struggling to be relevant in the mobile market.

As for Apple, it'll be years before we know if the iPhone has enough attraction and Apple has the ability continue to innovate ahead of its competitors.  We know Apple has planned years ahead.  Nevertheless, iPhone exclusivity deals will keep Apple from an encore performance with the iPhone as it did with the iPod.  It's likely that if Apple will dominate a market outside of MP3 players, it'll have to be a market of mobile devices it creates all to itself.  For now, Apple will have its followers.  A good number to be sure but nothing like the iPod market.  But Apple products tend to generate a loyal following.

RIM likely has the best chance to be a dominant player in the market along with Nokia.  The problem is both of these companies lack the passion it once had.  Nokia with the cell phone market and RIM with the smartphones.  Without reasons for mobile users to stay loyal to these two brands, they will continue to find users looking else where for their mobile needs.  However, if either of these two companies do find that spark of passion to truly innovate, watch out, folks.  Nokia has the best name recognition but RIM is looking to make a big move in China.

That leaves Android and Windows Mobile.  It's hard to say at this point for these two wild cards.  Wild cards?  Because we know so little about how Windows Mobile 7.  We don't know if Zune will be included in the mix or not with Windows Mobile.  Has Microsoft found a cohesive mobile strategy?  We know Android is cheaper in terms of licensing but it seems to lack focus.  Google and its superfriends have had only one Android device, the G1, on the market.  There is also talk about Android in netbooks.  As far as I'm concerned, Android needs more work and until Android 2.0, anything else is beta.

So perhaps, Palm's CEO has is correct.  There will be many winners in the mobile market and there's will be not one super dominant player in the market.  Still, the potential is there for one or two companies to make a move to put a hurt on its competitors.

Palm's Options

There's been a lot of talk about the Pre and how it is Sprint and Palm's hope to collectively gain marketshares in their respective market strike a blow against their competitors.

By all estimates, Palm sold about 55,000 Pre before they ran out of stock.  Before Apple's WWDC keynote when new iPhones were introduced and due to go on sale on June 19th.  Still Pom will have nearly two weeks all itself (assuming the $100 price drop of the iPhone 3G doesn't stunt demand for the Pre).

Still, Palm faces an onslaught of competition beyond the iPhone as other mobile device makers gear up for their summer lineup.  I'm talking about Storm 2 and G2 (G1 is likely to continue to be available, with a price drop being likely).  Windows Mobile 6.5 should also get into the mix with great momentum (however, any excitement is likely confined to WM loyalists until WM 7 comes out in 2010).  Though I've only been able to find one phone, ATT and Samsung's Jack (for $99 with contract).  It'll ship with 6.1 but upgradable to 6.5.

There will be a lot of debates about Palm's future and what path they should take.  I think mobile warriors all over should pay close attention as this may change the mobile landscape, how mobile providers operate, and pace of innovation and 4G network deployment.

There are facts and developments at Palm that you should know about:

• Jon Rubinstein has been appointed the CEO of Palm.  He's likely to bring further Apple-like changes to the company.  This might compel Apple to double its effort to innovate the iPhone platform to try and put more distance between the iPhone OS and the Pre WebOS, which many bloggers and tech watchers determined to be the closest challenge to the iPhone (Blackberry OS and Windows Mobile dominates the market in terms of marketshare).
• Palm has many former Apple engineers who helped with the Pre development.  Rumblings of poaching from Cupertino exist but there is no way to affirm or deny this fact.
• Palm engineers are offering advice to the new executive team.
• Palm is likely to be availabe on other networks in 2010.  Verizon first.  Perhaps there may be GSM models in the works for ATT.
• You'll read blogs about Palm buyouts, Palm's options, and more whether Pre's success will continue as it faces newer and updated mobile devices and smartphones.
• Windows Mobile 7 should be available in the first half of 2010.  By then, the WebOS will be at least six months old.
• Palm has expressed interest in expanding the WebOS beyond the Pre.  No firm statement beyond a vague comment has come from Palm.  There is speculation about the WebOS in the Centro while others have offered suggestions along the line of licensing WebOS to third party phone makers.

Fierce Wireless has offered a simple post on Palm's options.  Simple being the operative word since the same applies to RIM and Apple except Palm isn't in as strong a position.  Onxo will start a series of how Palm should deal with its future, who might be interested in a buyout, and the likely competitions Palm will face.

OLPC, Mac OS, Windows, And Security

When I named this blog, it was mainly to generate  interest and focus on the OLPC.  Alas, there really has not been as much progress as I would have liked.  A lot has changed in the two years since the XO was unveiled and much has happened between the first shipping of the XO and today.

What has happened?  Netbooks has made great in road into the hearts and minds of consumers in economic trouble, Intel's Atom chips, Apple's Macbook rise, and lower priced but powerful mainstream Windows laptops.  And so, I changed focused a bit for "On XO". 

I started talking about general wireless issues, mobile gadgets and smartphones, and editorials on where I think our wireless society will evolve into. 

So, when I stumpled across this post at Appleinsider, a traditionally pro-Apple and rumor site, about Apple's hiring of a OLPC insider, Ivan Krstic, his criticism of the OLPC project (must read), his work on security, and hints of what his work may be with Apple, it really brought me back to think about why the XO isn't as big as it should be, broken promises, and squandered opportunities.

Along with the AI article and Krstic's critical post of the XO development, we gain a good idea of good intentions that went bad, where things stand today in OS and security development, and where we are headed. 

Both posts are recommended reads.  At the end of the day, I hope OLPC's 2nd generation XO works as advertised and continue to drive mobile innovation for children all over the world.

Note:  Krstic, after years of using open source software, has switched to OS X.  His contribution to Apple will bring new innovations in security not just for Macs and the iPhone platform but others as well.  Innovation.  Competition.  Great combo, don't you think?  And at the end of the day, we mobile warriors win.

The Coming Rate War

In the last couple of months, I've noticed a lot of people talking about monthly wireless rates. And they've gone up as more and more people sign up not just for their monthly talk time rates but also a data plan as folks snatch up mobile devices and smartphones.

Right now, we're looking at around $75 and up. Some mobile warriors will argue that it's more like $70 but keep in mind that the wireless providers don't tell us about the variety of taxes. However, I get the sense that in these harsh economic times, these monthly rates are about to change.

And in a good way. It's my belief that with a shrinking pool of subscribers, economic uncertainty, parity in services and devices (okay, this point is very arguable), and a change mobile society, wireless providers like Verizon and ATT in the US are going to have to go that extra mile to get people to sign up or extend their contracts.

My advice to mobile warriors - hold for a couple of months. Not only do I believe these rates should go down a bit, we might see additional flexibility from all quarters as competition for you heat up.

And we are also expect a plethora of Android devices, Palm Pre, and the next generation iPhone to come around June. I'm sure others are like to get in on the act with Windows Mobile devices. And this may also help everyone in terms of their checkbooks. As more mobile device makers offer certain models exclusively for specific models, they are competing with one another as well.

So wait until June. Maybe even July. Look to save on the cost of the mobile devices as well as monthly rates. We'll know this summer if our assessment is correct or not.

Note: The market leaders like Blackberry and Windows Mobile will obviously offer great selection and prices. While the iPhone and Pre may appear more "shiny", Onxo believes mobile warriors should be looking at all the devices to see which best suit their needs.

Another note: Wireless providers likes to lock folks up for two-year contracts. I think they may be flexible enough to offer 1-year lockups. And to make things interesting, 3-year plans are also possible. Instead of paying $199 for a two-year contract, ATT can offer the iPhone for free if you sign up for 3-years.

Virus Alert: Conficker

I've got a couple of computer viruses in the past. The worst one I got, I was forced to reformat my drive and then later find out that I didn't have to. We've got anti-virus software on all PCs running Windows but we managed to get an infection anyway. Now, there's the Conficker.

According to 60 Minutes and Symantec believes its one of the worst computer viruses out there. So, take notice. Protect yourselves. I'm on a Mac so I'm not too concern but a large majority of my fellow mobile warriors are on Windows.

According to Daily Wireless, there are online help:

• CNet
• Symantec
• Microsoft

I suggest everyone running Windows (heck, anyone with a computer) to pay attention. From what I'm able to gather on the Web, it's an April 1 event. That means you've got about to days to do something about this.

Via Daily Wireless

UPDATE: MICROSOFT HAS A PAGE DEDICATED TO THE CONFICKER VIRUS.

Note: Some day soon, we'll look back at this and end up talking about the same thing with our mobile devices.