wireless users

Portals take usable focus

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:59:57 -0400

On-device portals (ODPs) may not be part of your everyday mobile vocabulary, but the odds are pretty good that they will be. These software portals are designed to make it easier for wireless users to gain access to the applications they need, and smaller vendors like Handmark and Action Engine are beginning to realize that they'll have to compete with the likes of Google and Yahoo. How do they plan to compete? Usability is the key, with functions and navigation aids designed to make it easier to reach web-based apps through the tiny screen on most wireless portable devices. It's not an easy task, given the differences in platform specifications, but it will make life easier and more interesting for most wireless users in coming years.

For more on the growth in ODPs:
- read the hands-on analysis at WirelessWeek

Three new Nokia phones

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Nokia has hit the market with three new cell phones, ranging from a high-end fashion phone named for a goddess to two mid-range phones carrying the sort of features that have become musts on the pre-purchase checklists for most enterprises and consumers. The 8600 Luna is a status phone with the sort of finish and design that will look at home on the very best luncheon tables. The 6500 Classic and Slider are different form-factors with similar features, including multiple network access, cameras, micro-USB port, and a video output connector. Looked at beside the new phones from Samsung and Motorola, the Nokias are strong evidence for a new wave of high-function phones for enterprise wireless users.

For more on the new Nokias:
Read the product analysis at CIO-Today.

How to achieve mobility in 10 easy steps

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 20:01:38 -0400

The first step in creating and rolling out, mobile applications for your wireless workforce is to realize that it has nothing in common with desktop application development. So toss out that mindset. Tech leaders must decide what they want, and what their users need, in order to have a working mobile environment. At the same time, you must work to ensure that your users, as well as your partners and clients, know that mobility platforms and applications usually require hefty changes to management requirements. Then its time to form a mobile assessment team to identify who needs the mobile applications, and what the expected return-on-investment of the effort will be come completion. The final eight steps include policy work, choosing the right application host and the all-important pilot before formal deployment. By taking a 10-step approach to mobile application development, you can create a stable and strong foundation for wireless users in your enterprise. Article

Laptop hog-wild with wireless capabilities

Sun, 29 Jan 2006 19:01:37 -0500

Dell is taking its laptops wireless and planning to debut Latitude notebooks featuring Wireless EV-DO and mobile broadband modules from Novatel Wireless. Users will be able to wirelessly transmit emails, gain access to corporate networks using a VPN, roam the Internet and share files. The embedded modules are backward compatible with 2.5G and 2G wireless standards, including GSM, GPRS, CDMA and 1xRTT. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 18 Dec 2005 19:01:40 -0500

There's an interesting report from research firm WTRS on how mobile device users are getting more frustrated, angrier and disenchanted with mobile technology thanks to clunky user interfaces and stalled functionality features. While it's not encouraging news for the industry sector--those who make and deploy new products and services--it is good news for enterprises and users. It's typically the customer/user response that can only bring about needed change and better technology. The report says users want plug and play features, easy to use applications and better service stability. Just like in any industry, the winning product and tool makers will be those who listen to customer feedback and bring about technologies that meet the needs and solve the problems facing wireless users today.

Also, this is the final issue of IT-Wireless for 2005. We'll be back with a special issue on Wednesday, January 4. We wish you a joyous holiday season and a healthy and productive new year. - Judy