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 [...]