Mobile

Tue, June 23, 2009 - Palm's first webOS device, the Pre, certainly marks a step in the right direction for the struggling handset maker: But a poor keyboard, weak battery life and questionable build quality, among other hardware disappointments, will likely hinder the Pre's success. That's a shame, given how promising the webOS software looks.

Tue, June 23, 2009 - Users love the iPhone, but IT does not. The biggest complaints: The iPhone can't be managed for security and access policies like a BlackBerry can.

Mon, June 22, 2009 - The iPhone 3G S handset is well appointed, functional, and nicely packaged, but it's not at the high-end of the smartphone hardware scale. The OS and interface -- and the richly stocked App Store -- remain the best reasons to buy an iPhone. Unless you need 16GB or 32GB of storage, a compass, and a faster CPU, the $99 iPhone 3G will suit you as well as the more expensive iPhone 3G S.

Thu, June 18, 2009 - Call it an enigma. Few concepts have generated as much internal IT controversy -- or caused as much vendor handwringing -- as the "business class" netbook. The idea that the traditionally consumer-focused netbook platform, with its underpowered CPU and toylike form factor, has a place at the enterprise IT table seems almost preposterous. Yet a quick glance around the Web reveals a groundswell of support for using netbooks as companions to -- and in some cases, replacements for -- traditional business PCs. It seems that many end-users have become enamored of the netbook's light weight and all-day battery life, and are now quite willing to turn in their more powerful, yet less convenient, corporate laptop PCs in order to reap the rewards of ultraportability.

Fri, June 12, 2009 - There are quite a few dialing helper apps available for the iPhone. Up until now, none really interested me because the built-in iPhone Favorites list did an OK enough job for my tastes. However, I've become increasingly annoyed with the inability to categorize contacts into groups, like friends, family, clients, and so on. That's what got me looking for an alternative and ultimately sold me on Dial 9 by Flicck.

Fri, June 12, 2009 - Sony Ericsson's 'PlayNow arena with movies' service bundles new phones with a selection of downloadable movies. The service is simple to use, the image and sound quality is adequate, but the selection of movies leaves a lot to be desired.

Thu, June 11, 2009 - I have a confession to make: About two years ago I made a big mistake and bought a phone designed for mere mortals when what I really wanted was an Apple iPhone. Don't get me wrong -- my Sony Ericsson W580i has served me well -- but I'm ready to move up to a super-phone.

Wed, June 10, 2009 - The Palm Pre and the Apple iPhone 3G S are the smartphone standouts of 2009, but they're not the only news. Operating systems are receiving updates, new devices are debuting, and app stores are growing by the day. Here's what to look for from the six big operating systems in smartphones today.

Fri, June 05, 2009 - Does the world need another smartphone operating system? Apple's iPhone OS is still booming; Google's Android is increasingly promising; and three longtime contenders - Microsoft's Windows Mobile, RIM's BlackBerry OS, and Symbian's S60 - are undergoing serious renovation to keep up with the times.

Thu, June 04, 2009 - It's T-minus two days until the Palm Pre will hit the stores nationwide (with the adequate shortages) and the highly anticipated device already found its way onto a sleeve of reviewer's hands, including our own Ginny Mies.