About a week ago I commented on how Microsoft would fare against the emerging Apple iPad. Microsoft’s mobile platform has declined in recent years, and while it still remains a solid workhorse for embedded applications it’s no longer the favourite amongst business executives. While Apple, Palm, Blackberry and Android are appealing to the data-heavy smartphone user, Windows Mobile seems to cling on in a variety of special niches such as portable ticketing systems and electronic [...]

When I was at University, I used to wear a coat in almost all seasons. It wasn’t because I was studying in a cold climate or because I didn’t own a sports jacket, it was because I needed the pockets. You see, back then there wasn’t this idea of multifunction devices, so I tended to carry a bundle of them with me. My mobile phone, MP3 player, dictaphone, USB keys, GameBoy, PalmPilot and more all [...]

I’ve recently handled a number of queries from friends and family about problems with their iPhones. These issues can be as simple as the battery indicator not updating. They can also be as serious as the phone not waking out of standby to alert you of an incoming call, or refusing to charge or sync when docked. While some problems can be ignored, others can make the phone unusable. The good news is that in [...]

Ever heard of the phrase “end-to-end”? It’s what service providers use when trying to test out new products that they’re looking to bring to market. They test out every step of the process, be it order fulfilment, streaming entertainment or real-time data services. Part of that process is about catching the weakpoints and improving them, but it’s also about ensuring that adequate customer support mechanisms are there in order to catch things when they go [...]

As we reach the close of yet another year, it’s only natural for us to start looking at what the future will bring. Some of us are also incessantly nagged by family about what we would like for Christmas, or what we’re thinking of getting. It’s one of those strange blends of thought – what do we want, what do we hope for, what do we think will happen? I’ve described below my 5 ideas [...]