Feed: Ben Forta's Blog - Mobile - AggScore: 67.3

A few weeks after releasing the Photoshop.com iPhone client (which I've been using this week in Australia), now we've added an Android client.

This one was a pain to figure out, so I am sharing it here in case others can use the info (or for the next time I need it myself). iPhone supports syncing with multiple calendars, and displays them in a single integrated calendar using a different color for each. But have you ever tried to remove one of the calendars? There is no option to do so! And unchecking the calendar in iTunes simply prevents it from being synced in the future, but does not remove the unwanted calendar from the iPhone - all that left over data just sits there. In my case I have an Exchange calendar and a local Outlook calendar on the iPhone, and I wanted to remove the local calendar and leave only the Exchange calendar. Here are the steps that worked for me (adapt them as needed):

1. On the iPhone, go to settings, select the Exchange mail/calendar, and turn OFF Exchange calendar use.
2. iPhone will ask you if you want to delete the Exchange calendar data, confirm the deletion.
3. Then turn ON the Exchange calendar.
4. iPhone will ask you what you want to do with the existing (non-Exchange) calendar data, giving you the option of deleting it.
5. Go ahead with the deletion.
6. As soon as Exchange syncs you'll have just that one calendar.

Pretty simple (although there really should just be a simple delete option!).

The Open Screen Project has launched a YouTube channel, appropriately named openscreenproject's Channel . Initial videos are of projects funded by the OSP Fund.

The Flash Lite Developer Challenge is the leading competition for developers working with Flash Lite. The competition challenges three groups of developers: 1. those currently working with Flash Lite, 2. Flash developers interested in developing applications for mobile devices, 3. mobile application developers interested in using Flash Lite. If you belong to one of these groups and you are a company or an individual, a professional or a researcher, you can enter the competition in one of the five categories, get access to great tools from Adobe and stand a chance of winning one of the great cash prizes and promotional packages from the sponsors (including Adobe). The competition is open to developers worldwide (with just a few exceptions, see the rules). The deadline for entries is May 31st, 2009, and winners will be announced June 17th, 2009.

PC World is running a story entitled Flash Headed to Mobile Devices Say Manufacturers on the Flash (and AIR) related announcements coming out of Mobile World Congress this week. Among the announcements was one about Flash on the Palm Pre, which is fast becoming the phone I want next (assuming they release a GSM version in the U.S., which unfortunately is not at all clear right now).

I'm always looking for my next phone. My BlackJack II has served me well, and continues to do so. The biggest flaws with it are the lack of Wi-Fi, and the GPS being painfully slow to initialize, so slow that it is barely usable. But, those faults aside, I have been pretty happy with the device. But, that is no reason to stop the endless pursuit for the ultimate cell phone. And the latest one I tried is the much anticipated and oft discussed HTC Diamond Pro. I've used several HTC devices before, including the 8125, the Tilt, and the G1 Android, and in general HTC makes solid and very reliable hardware. The Diamond Pro promises a mix of HTC hardware, cutting edge styling, and iPhone like touch screen gestures and interactions, and so I picked up one of the very first available in the U.S. (released as the AT&T FUZE). The HTC Diamond Pro is a Windows Mobile device, and HTC has created a touch screen UI called TouchFLO 3Dthat sits on top of Windows Mobile. I took the device to MAX with me, and used it for close to two weeks before drawing conclusions - yep, I so wanted to love this device. But, well, here's the scoop: Pros

• The HTC Diamond Pro comes with Windows Mobile 6.1. And yes, I know that some won't see that as a pro, but 6.1 really is superior to v6.
• The HTC Diamond Pro is sleek and is styled really nicely, the thing just looks cool.
• More importantly, the slide out keyboard is one of the best I have used on a device this size, it feels right, the tactile feedback is good, it even features Caps Lock LEDs etc.
• The screen is clear and bright, well lit, and usable even in bright daylight.
• Superb Wi-Fi, and equally good Bluetooth (although I wish Microsoft would finally fix Windows Mobile so that it published cell and battery strength via Bluetooth).
• The stylus is stored really well, with (what I assume is) magnetic pull to easily hold it in place and reducing the chances of losing it.
• Like most HTC devices, connectivity and power are via a mini USB connector. This should be standard for all devices, and vendors like Samsung (who like to change connectors between phone versions) should take note.
• The camera is superb.

Cons

• The device is slow, make that painfully horribly frustratingly annoyingly slow. The touch screen version of Windos Mobile is indeed more resource intensive, and TouchFLO seems to make it even more sluggish. The device needed a much faster CPU, and by not providing one HTC has basically rendered the device too sluggish to use. Yep, first con, and this one just about renders the phone useless. But it gets worse, much worse.
• TouchFLO 3D looks really cool, check out the screens linked to above. But as hard as TouchFLO 3D tries, it can't succeed. Why? Because it is a thin veneer over Windows Mobile which was designed for use with a stylus. The gestures to move through favorite contacts are ok, but when you need to display all contacts you drop to the standard Windows Mobile contact list which was never designed for fingers, it needs a far more precise interaction. Same thing for the calendar, and messaging, and e-mail - when the area to touch or click is a little button or an X at the top of the screen, finger control is useless. You are going to need to try multiple times, or pop up the included stylus, and that gets frustrating very quickly. The problem is that Windows Mobile was never designed for finger gestures the way iPhone was, and TouchFLO 3D does not replace enough of Windows Mobile UI to change that.
• Now combine the previous two points, and the bad news gets much worse. TouchFLO 3D is so slow that it sometimes won't respond to gestures at all, so you end up trying again, and again, and then it catches up with all of them, and thus doing things you never intended - dialing wrong numbers or prompting you to delete contacts or changing settings. Unacceptable.
• The device is rather uncomfortable to hold next to your ear for any extended period.
• The keyboard slides out far too easily. If you hold the phone to your right ear this won't be a problem, as you'd need to push up to open the keyboard. But hold it to your left ear, and your thumb ends up holding the keyboard closed and your four fingers try to push it open, and the four fingers tend to win. So, you're talking, and suddenly you have an open keyboard on the side of your face, which is not comfortable and highly conducive to pressing wrong keys.
• One of the things I like about iPhone is that it seems to intuitively know what you need to do. For example, hold the phone to your ear and the screen blanks, move it away and it comes to life. The Diamond Pro blanks after a few seconds, but never comes back to life until you press a button, which may also pop up a menu or hang up or something else.
• MicroSD slots do not belong under the cover, enough said.
• Phone volume is terrible, highest volume is not high enough.

Bottom line, this phone is an absolute failure. As I said before, I really tried to like the device, but after two weeks just had to return it. Interestingly enough, when I did return it, they asked me my opinion (they know me personally at my local AT&T store, scary, huh?) as I was the very first to buy it at this location. I gave them much of this feedback, and they acknowledged that they've had several returned already, and all with similar complaints. The HTC Diamond Pro has been pitched as the first real challenge to iPhone. And while I am not an iPhone fanboy, I can still state unequivocally that there is no comparison. Now, to be very fair, the biggest problem with the device (the sluggish and inadequate UI) are not entirely HTC's fault. Windows Mobile comes in two flavors, a version for touch screens and a version for non touch screens. The latter does less, but is always more responsive, and far better suited for one handed operation. The former does more, but is slower, and is designed for careful and precise stylus use - it was never intended for casual finger gesturing. HTC's biggest failure with this device was trying to make Windows Mobile do things it was never intended to do, and then not backing it up with the horsepower to even attempt doing it. For now though, there is no way I can recommend the HTC Diamond Pro, and am back to using my Samsung BlackJack II. There are other Windows Mobile touch screen devices out there now. The new LG Incite looks interesting, but lacks a real keyboard, which is probably a deal breaker for me (that's actually the main reason I gave up on iPhone). The Samung i907 (aka Epix) is based on the BlackJack II, but uses Windows Mobile for touch screen, and introduces a touch pad that moves a mouse cursor, an interesting UI concept that may make Windows Mobile touch screen better suited for one handed use. I need to play with both, although of the two, the latter seems more interesting. If (or when) I get to try these, I'll be sure to post a review.

If you want to learn more about what we're doing around mobile technology, here are two MAX U.S. events you may want to attend:

• Mobile Summit on November 16, 2008 at the Marriott from 1pm-6pm. Get a sneak peak at what you will see and hear at MAX before anyone else does! Here from Adobe, Nokia, Qualcomm, Verizon, Sony Ericsson, and more. RSVP required.
• Mobile Fast Pitch Networking Party on November 19, 2008 at the Thirsty Bear from 6:16pm-9:30pm. We're hosting a showcase to allow developers to show off their mobile applications. You can mingle, chat, learn, or present your creations and ideas. RSVP required.

More details posted by Bill Perry on his blog.

Samsung BlackJack II first shipped with Windows Mobile 6, and newer devices now come with 6.1 pre-installed. Samsung is now providing a 6.1 update for those early BlackJack II devices. One of the most important differences is a dramatically improved SMS client that features message threading (finally). Other improvements include enhancements to the GPS software, homepage customization, and voice command support.

Dave McAllister has posted that as part of the Open Screen Project, Adobe has published the spec for Mobile Content Delivery Protocol (Formerly Flash Cast).

Apple's new MobileMe service certainly sounds impressive, it delivers push functionality for the masses - your data is pushed up to your own storage spot in the cloud, and then automagically synced with your iPhone. Pretty cool. And it really works, kind of. It syncs contacts really well, and syncs schedules too (although Apple seems to be having serious issues with the Ajax based online scheduling app). Where MobileMe falls flat on its face is where it would be most useful - email (which generally gets updated more frequently than contacts or schedules!). The problem? The service is really designed for users who want a brand new e-mail address, one on the shiny new me.com domain. Which is great, except for the fact that the vast majority of users who'd want to use this service probably already have e-mail addresses that they like and want to keep using. Sure, there are hacks, forwarding mail back and forth, and the like. But for all of those users with good old POP mail accounts and a local copy of Outlook, MobileMe is pretty much useless. Which is sad really, because Apple could have synced Outlook inboxes to the cloud exactly as it does Outlook contacts and calendars. But nope, be it due to arrogance, shortsightedness, or just dumb oversight, Apple managed to mess up the single most compelling use case for MobileMe. What a shame.

We just announced the Open Screen Project which will be working to enable a consistent runtime environment, starting with the Flash Player, and in the future AIR, to remove barriers for developers and designers as they publish content and applications across desktops and consumer devices, including phones, mobile internet devices, and set top boxes, and more. The Open Screen Project is also supported by ARM, Chunghwa Telecom, Cisco, Intel, LG Electronics Inc., Marvell, Motorola, Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics Co., Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Verizon Wireless, and leading content providers, including BBC, MTV Networks, and NBC Universal.

I've been wearing Bluetooth headsets for about as long as they have been around, and have owned lots and tried even more. And I have a new favorite, the BlueAnt Z9. Here's the scoop: Pros:

• The Z9 is small, one of the smallest and lightest headsets I have tried.
• It is also extremely comfortable to wear, even for very long periods. It is so comfortable that I often forget I am wearing it.
• Sound quality is superb, at least based on what the people on the other end of the connection are telling me.
• Many very lightweight headsets have optional ear loops, but they often feel like afterthoughts, not fitting the devices well or coming apart (Plantronics devices seem very prone to this). The Z9 ear loops (there are 3 of them, all identical, or so it seems) fit well and stay in place properly.
• Battery life is really good.
• It comes with both an AC charger and a USB cable. The latter is an absolute must for anyone who travels, and I automatically rule out any Bluetooth headset that does not include this necessity.
• The Z9 comes with a built in clip, making it easier to carry the headset in your pocket or attached to your shirt and so on.
• The headset is firmware upgradeable. The actual upgrade process is convoluted and horribly unfriendly (yes, I tried it). Still, it's nice to know that firmware updates are an option if they are needed.

Cons:

• I have only found one downside with the headset, and that is that I find the volume too low. Others hear me fine, the problem is me hearing them. It's fine in most environments when cranked up to the highest volume, but in noisy environments the volume is definitely too low. I contacted BlueAnt and they suggested that I update the firmware which I did, and unfortunately it did not make a difference. This is a shame, and hopefully they can release another firmware update that really does fix the problem.

The verdict? The BlueAnt Z9 is definitely the very best Bluetooth headset I have owned, and is highly recommended (but keep that one negative in mind). It is available from Amazon.com.

I mentioned the Samsung BlackJack II a week or so ago, and I stand my most of my original comments. With one big exception: My biggest complaint with the original BlackJack was a lousy Bluetooth restriction whereby only one paired device could be active at a time. You could pair as many devices as you want, but to switch from one to the other (as in from car to headset) you need to go through menus and activate the other! This is a major flaw, and Samsung told me (both online and in a call to their customer support line) that the BlackJack II had the same restriction. But, in fact, this is not the case! The screens are the same, and there is still the SET option to select which one is active, but I discovered (by mistake) that when my car was set as active the headset still worked! Whether this was an intentional improvement or not, this seals it for me. I'm keeping the BlackJack II (until I find a better phone).

I couldn't help myself. I kept calling the local AT&T stores until I found the Samsung BlackJack II that I mentioned the other day, and then I asked them to hold it for me, and dashed over to buy it. And the verdict? Well, first some pros and cons: Pros:

• Samsung has been touting the new bigger screen. And the screen is indeed larger than the BlackJack screen, but only marginally so. And at first glance the glass is indeed bigger, but then you turn the device on to discover that the actual display area is only few millimeters bigger in each direction. So, yes, bigger screen is a pro, but barely.
• Having said that, the screen is much brighter and clearer.
• The device edges are a little rounder than before, making the device more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
• The keyboard is definitely improved. The shape and size of the keys is better, as is their angle and placement.
• The phone buttons (including the soft keys) are better shaped, easier to press, and harder to press accidentally.
• Battery life is good, although not great. Basically, Samsung replaced the battery with a slightly bigger one (it was an optional add-on purchase before), and so the battery lasts longer.
• The device is fast, much faster than the original BlackJack. Not that the speed of that other device ever bothered me, but this one is noticeably quicker.
• The new device has added an external LED that flashes to notify you of events, a welcome addition.
• Audio quality is great.
• The new Office client apps are a welcome addition.
• The GPS is pretty slick. AT&T opted to tie the service to a specific paid provider, but a 3rd party has disclosed how to unlock the GPS so that it works with other clients, like Google Maps. And it works really well.
• The device runs a newer version of Windows mobile, and the apps are cleaner and crisper. While not truly a BlackJack II pro, it is an improvement nonetheless.
• I did not get to try the phone in Japan today (that's a tad out of the way), but the fact that the phone will work there is a big plus.

Cons:

• Ok, first the biggie. Don't trust the hype! Sure, this device runs Windows Mobile instead of Windows Smartphone, but it's actually Windows Mobile Standard which IS Windows Smartphone (they changed the name going from version 5 to version 6). I'd not have considered this a con if this were blatantly clear, but it's not, and so con it is.
• And even worse, the device has the same lousy Bluetooth restriction of one active paired device at a time. You can still pair as many devices as you want, but to switch from one to the other (as in from car to headset) you need to go through menus and activate the other! Considering how many users complained about this, it is unbelievable that Samsung did not fix this major flaw.
• Bluetooth works, and works well. But the device still does not publish signal strength and battery life (something my Sony Ericsson device did 5 years ago). Basically, it's the same okay-but-not-great Bluetooth functionality as in the original BlackJack.
• The device has a slick glossy surface. It looks cool, but after holding the phone for a few minutes it is completely smudged and looks filthy. I found myself wiping it clean constantly - very annoying.
• In addition, the new surface is actually far less comfortable than the old rubberized feel back.
• The new jog wheel is ok, but not great. It replaces the side scroll wheel, and while cool, it is not as convenient for one handed use as the scroll wheel.
• While Windows Mobile 6 looks better, and the apps are cleaner, they are still the same apps. The scheduling app is a bit better, but the SMS client is just as pathetic.
• Windows Mobile devices are unlocked using an unlock button and then the * key. So the * key needs to be prominently placed, and indeed it is on BlackJack. But BlackJack II uses the 5 key as the *, making it just that more fidgety to unlock the phone.
• Ah here's a doozey for you. Samsung uses a proprietary adapter to charge and synch the BlackJack. And the BlackJack II also uses a proprietary adapter, but not the same one! It looks similar, but the size is slightly different. Which means that if you bought any adapters or chargers for the BlackJack you'll need to throw them out and buy new ones for the BlackJack II. Outrageous!

The BlackJack II is an incremental improvement over the original BlackJack. This new device has retained some of what made the BlackJack so popular, but it has also retained some of the biggest flaws and limitations of that device. The biggest new benefits are the better international support and the integrated GPS, but do those justify the upgrade? I don't think so. I can see BlackJack II appealing to users who don't already own a similar device, but if you are a current BlackJack user then the BlackJack II is really not that compelling an upgrade. So, the verdict? I do like the BlackJack, but it does have known flaws and limitations, none of which BlackJack II address. I am disappointed with this new device, and will be returning it tomorrow.

I've been carrying a Samsung BlackJack around with me for a year now, and posted extensive comments on the device back then (actually, it was a year ago to the day!). All in all, I have been very pleased with the phone, and have even been willing to overlook its shortcomings. But, I am always on the lookout for something better. And so the announcement this weekend of the Samsung BlackJack II caught my attention. Based on the published specs, this one looks very interesting:

• The biggest change is that the BlackJack II runs Windows Mobile instead of Windows SmartPhone, that will resolve some important limitations. It'll also mean that far more add-on software is available (including a Windows Remote Desktop client).
• The biggest difference between Windows Mobile and Windows SmartPhone is that the former is designed for point-and-click or point-and-touch, whereas the latter is not. Of course, this means that the BlackJack II (which, like its predecessor, has no touch screen) needs a way to point-and-click. To address this, the BlackJack II replaces the old circular direction button with a jog wheel (kind of like an iPod control). And in doing so, it looks like they removed the side scroll wheel (which I use constantly). I'll have to try this for myself.
• Battery life has supposedly been improved, that's a biggie.
• In addition to quad-band GSM (an absolute minimum requirement), the BlackJack II supports HSPDA, which means it'll work in Japan and elsewhere. That's a big plus.
• GPS is included, and it appears that it'll work with Google Maps. Nice!
• Bluetooth 2 is supported, but no word yet if they removed the ridiculous one active paired device at a time restriction. Some have noted that this may be a Windows SmartPhone issue, in which case in may indeed not be a problem with the BlackJack II. We can hope.
• It's slimmer and lighter, although the width and weight have never been an issue for me.
• The device is supposedly faster, has more memory, and a higher resolution camera, but those have never been issues for me, either.

Of course, I dropped by the AT&T store today to look at it, but was unable to do so. Although they received a shipment over the weekend, none had been unpacked yet. And while they were willing to sell me one, they did not have a unit on display for me to play with. I'm going to have to drop by later in the week, and will post more comments then. My gut feel is that I am going to have to upgrade, but ... In the meantime, if you've had a chance to tinker with the BlackJack II, please share your thoughts.