New Wireless Phones

I have not published any new news about new wireless phones because there really haven't been any new devices launched. However, Blackberry has launched a couple new variations of existing devices. T-Mobile and AT&T have launched the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 sporting a 2 MP camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, external microSD slot, and Wi-Fi support. T-Mobile has released the BlackBerry 8820 that features: Wi-Fi enabled handset sports GPS, a full QWERTY keyboard, microSD slot, and a whole lot more.

Samsung has launched a device in Korea that is very interesting and I hope it makes it to the States soon.
The Anycall Haptic (model numbers SCH-W420 and SPH-W4200) phone has a 3.2-inch widescreen display, a 2-megapixel digital camera, full Internet browser, Bluetooth 2.0 and terrestrial digital TV reception.
Why is the device named Haptic? The device provides haptic feedback, information transmitted via the sense of touch, when using certain functions on the device. It means, for example, that when the volume of the radio is changed, the phone simulates both the sound and feel of the "clicks" on an old-style volume knob on a real radio, said Samsung.
I like any device that will compete with the iPhone and I'm a fan of Samsung devices, so please bring to over the Pacific.

Here's a rumor courtesy of Ken Dulaney, an analyst with the well-respected Gartner firm.
Apple may have ordered a second round of 10 million iPhones based on the 3G network. Do you know what 3G is?
3G is the closest thing to broadband data connectivity that is currently available to wireless users. High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is a 3G (third generation) mobile telephony communications protocol in the High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) family, which allows networks based on Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or (GSM) to have higher data transfer speeds and capacity. AT&T and T-Mobile both utilize this network technology.
One of the big complaints about the existin iPhone is the lack of a high speed data connectivity. The data connectivity currently available in the iPhone is EDGE which is a 2.5G and is considerably slower than HSDPA. Many observers speculate that one of the reasons why the iPhone did not do well in Europe was because of the lack of a 3G data capability. I will not even consider an iPhone until it includes 3G connectivity.

So there are some new Blackberry models out Samsung launched a new iPhone competitor in Korea and supposedly Apple has started manufacturing of 10 million new iPhones. That's it? Rumor has it that more new device launches will be revealed at the upcoming CTIA Wireless trade show next week. I can't wait.

IT'S 2008

Last year I wrote about the new computer/mobile device genre created by Intel the Mobile Internet Device that provides laptop like features in a small form factor with either Windows Mobile, Linux, or Symbian. The first big name to release such a device is Nokia which launched the N810 in late 2007 and rumor has it that new versions of this device will be released at the CTIA Wireless 2008 show April 1 - 3 in Las Vegas. Other manufactures like Samsung, ASUS, Lenovo, HTC, and Aigo have either created prototype devices or have announced that they will be utilizing the Intel chipsets. I expect that we will also see a Sony Vaio MID that may support PSP games. Don't forget that a number of UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) devices are already on the market by Sony, Samsung and OQO to name a few. The UMPC utilizes Microsoft XP or Vista in most cases. Engadget broke down the difference between MID and UMPC.
Dan Monahan, Intel's Global Internet Segment Manager of Ultra Mobility. This is how it breaks down.

UMPC

• Business-class device for enterprise users
  
• Runs a "heavy" OS like Vista
• Optimized for office-use applications like Excel, Word, etc.
  

MID

• Consumer-class lifestyle device
• Runs a 'lightweight" OS with quick startup like Linux
• Optimized for things like media playback and web surfing
• In 2009 (or so) Moorestown-based devices will be classed as MIDs only

Another manufacturer that hasn't been documented for these devices is Palm. The failed Palm Foleo was pretty similar to a MID, but it didn't have a built-in wireless chipset, but if you add that then the Foleo would be a great device that could compete in the MID and UMPC genres and could even compete with the Mac Book Air. Hopefully CTIA will provide more details and more cool devices for us to anticipate and then we have to wait for the launch of the Xohm network to really utilize the full capabilities of these new devices.

MLB Season OPEN

Regardless of how you feel about the baseball season starting in Japan the fact remains that the season is underway. As a life long Texas Rangers fan this spring really does not hold any hope for the upcoming season. I do believe that the team as constructed as some serious holes in the line-up and that the pitching is still developing, but there is a core of players that I truly enjoy watching. Michael Young is one of my favorite players in all of the MLB. Michael works everyday and many people complain about his lack of range at Short, but I disagree compared to what the Rangers have had at Short in the 80s and 90s Young is the second best Short Stop to ever play in Arlington. He's only second to ARod. Some of the other players I cheer for are Kinsler, J. Hamilton, Hank, and Laird. I know many people disagree with me on Blalock and Laird, but I like them. I really think this team is just a few players away from being a legitimate contender. DH is the gap I'm concerned about as the season starts, but if Bradley can be healthy maybe that concern is being addressed. My second concern is the outfield, Marlon Byrd needs to prove that last year was no fluke and then left field platoon of players will need to each play well. I hate having a platoon of players for the outfield and wish there was a defined line up out there. First base is another question, with Saltalamachia being pushed into the catcher position that leaves first wide open. Too bad Adrian Gonzales is in San Diego now. Don't even get me started on that trade....

Pitching is always an issue, Padilla, Gabbard, and McCarthy have a lot to prove in 2008 and if they pitch like last year the Rangers are in for a long season. Padilla has had good years and we need a decent year with more that 15 wins from him. Gabbard and McCarthy need to have at least 10 wins and I expect Jennings and Millwood to have more than 15 wins also. My prediction is that Luis Mendoza will excel and show that he is a 3 or 4 in a 6 man rotation. He will be better than both Gabbard and McCarthy.

I expect the Rangers to have at least 80 wins this season, and could even be sniffing the Division lead late in the season if they can split or win the majority of their series with the Angels and Mariners. I believe the heart is there if they can just perform on the field and if the pitching can stay healthy and play up to their ability.

GO RANGERS!!!!!