Palm to Run Blackberry Software

Just as Palm announced last week that the new Treo will run the Microsoft platform, Palm also announces it will run Blackberry.

Palm Runs BlackBerry Software
From redherring.com 10-17-2005

Treo smart phone will run Research In Motion’s email software by early next year.

Palm and Research In Motion said Monday that Palm’s Treo 650 smart phone will run RIM’s BlackBerry Connect email software by early 2006.

Palm has joined RIM’s licensing program for BlackBerry Connect and plans to offer it with the Treo 650 as well as future Palm OS-based Treo smart phones.

The deal comes only a few weeks after Palm signed a deal with Microsoft to introduce the first Windows Mobile-based Treo smart phone (see Palm, Microsoft Team on Treo), so it doesn’t seem likely that the Windows-based Treo will run the BlackBerry software.

Palm also introduced organizer devices last week, but the deal apparently does not include those either (see Palm Debuts Two Models). Full article.

Yahoo Releases Podcasting Tools - The First of the "Big 4"

Yahoo! Releases Podcasting Tools
by Gavin O'Malley, Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 6:00 AM EST

TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH current trends, Yahoo! Monday launched a suite of podcasting tools to search for, arrange, and rate the multitudinous digital audio files flooding the Web. The free service, which has yet to be monetized, is intended to make it easier for consumers to sort through the tens of thousands of podcasts available online today.
The service can be found at podcasts.yahoo.com.
Unheard of until last year, podcasting is the act of uploading audio programs to the Web, following which the files can be played via personal computer or downloaded to multimedia players for listening at a later date. Read entire article.

For information from Yahoo visit: podcasts.yahoo.com

"Always on" Wireless Internet Web Access

"Always on" Wireless Internet

So, it's finally time to dive into getting an "always on" wireless Internet connection. Of course there are loads of free wi-fi hotspots in the Washington, DC area and certainly a Starbucks on every corner for a paid hotspot but it always seems you need a connection when there isn't one available.

So what are the alternatives?

1. Verizon offers the BroadbandAccess wireless connection. This runs at $59 per month with a 2 year activation. Plus the cost of the wireless PC card. Generally it works like this... you setup your account, install the software on your laptop, get the wireless laptop card activated and you are off and running. I would recommend that you go to a business Verizon store to setup the service if it's only for one or 2 users. More than that number, work with your Verizon business sales rep.

The service works well, like cellular service for your phone. If you are in a good location for full strength signal, things work well at decent bandwidth speeds. If not, you speeds drop considerably.

The cool thing is you can buy wireless access points that work with the wireless card so you can actually share the BroadbandAccess connection with multiple users. Can be good in a pinch or for a variety of other reasons.

2. Cingular 3G services: Cingular currently offers, in select west coast markets, their version of highspeed wireless access but at higher speeds than Verizon's. It is currently available in San Fran, Seattle, Phoenix, Dallas, and other west coast cities (you should check the Cingular site for the exact market offerings). If you can wait until it is rolled out in Washington, DC, that's what I would do. The target date in early-mid 2006. Here's more information from Cingular on their service. Essentially, it's the same technology running on a faster network.

3. WiMAX: If you can wait even longer, you may want to hold off for WiMAX. WiMAX is WiFi on steriods. Instead of talking feet for how far you can be from the wireless access point, with WiMAX you are talking miles. A VP from Intel, James A Johnson, has an excellent Q & A on the topic. The momentum is really rolling on this for an international standard.