PDC Attendees Will Get a 160GB USB Drive With All the Goodies!!!

Every time I go to a conference I return with another bag full of freebies. Typically it’s a lot of useless staff and t-shirts but there are a lot of great things I received over the years. It seems like Microsoft this year will top every freebie ever given! Each attendee will receive an external 160GB USB 2.0 PDC08 branded drive that will include the content delivered in the conference and all the different bits of software that will be delivered for the first time to the development community, such as VS 2010 and .NET 4.0! Watch this short clip from Channel 9 announcing this:

Countdown to PDC 2008: This is the Software + Services PDC, Plus a Hard Drive Chock Full o’Bits is a PDC Attendee’s Dream Come True!

Google Maps Brings Street View to the BlackBerry

Google released version 2.31 of Google Maps for your BlackBerry. This version is a great update to have in your pocket! Google added the option to get walking directions (so far you had driving and public transportation) and more importantly, now you can get Street View right on your BlackBerry!

On any point in your map where Street View is available you can see the images in a small window on top of the map and “turn around” using your BlackBerry trackball. The even cooler part is that you can expand the images and get a full image of Street View on the whole screen and scroll around to get a 360 view of the point in the map.

Try it yourself by browsing from your BlackBerry to http://m.google.com/maps

You can also check this movie showing the new features:

WorldMate Live v2.5.20 is Released!

MobiMate released an updated for WorldMate Live for the BlackBerry and their online version. I couldn’t find a lot of new functionality in this version but you will noticed immediately the differences as the user interface was completely changed and looks very nice! When you launch the program you now have kind of like a “home page” where you get the weather info of your current location and upcoming events according to your itinerary. At the bottom of the screen you will see a “carousel” of icons instead of the menus available before.

Although the new UI looks cool and very modern I found it a little slow in response. In any case this is a must application to have for the road warriors out there.

To get the new version just browse from your BlackBerry to www.wmlive.com

Here is what the redesigned web site version looks like (click to enlarge):

Enter To Win A Lifetime Admirals Club Membership!

American Airlines is offering a free lifetime membership for the Admirals Club (retail value is approximately $5,500). There’s no need to purchase anything, just enter your contact information and AAdvantage number. Register before September 25th!

The Wrath of Ike

This week I’m attending the VSX Developer Conference in Redmond. I was supposed to fly on Sunday through Houston, but Hurricane Ike changed the plans for a lot of travelers. Continental completely shut down the operations in IAH from Friday noon through Saturday. I thought my flight Sunday late morning would be safe, but yesterday I got a call from Continental that my itinerary was changed and when I went online I saw that my flight was rerouted through Newark. Today if you go to the notices link, you will see that it was changed and the operations are suspended through Sunday. It is amazing to see the destruction Ike left on his way not only in the coast line, but also in downtown Houston. I hope all my co workers based out of Houston are well as I know that our corporate office in Houston was closed on Friday and moved operations to a backup location. Our email server and BlackBerry server are still down and hopefully it will be back up by Monday. I’m flying back on the Thursday’s red-eye through Houston so hopefully everything will be back to normal by then.

Latest OS: 8800 4.5.0.92 / 4.5.0.69 (MultiLanguage)

The latest official version of the BlackBerry OS 4.5 is available on the BlackBerry web site (through Orange France). If you know what you are doing and would like to upgrade to the latest and greatest, download and follow the instructions.

Software For BlackBerry® (TM) 8800 smartphone
BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.92 (Multilanguage)
Package Version: 4.5.0.92
Consisting of:

• Applications: 4.5.0.69
• Software Platform: 2.7.0.72
• File name: 8800M_PBr4.5.0_rel92_PL2.7.0.72_A4.5.0.69_Orange_France.exe
• File size: 73.81MB

Download

Instructions for installing on ANY 8800 (regardless of carrier)

1. Make sure you have Desktop Manager 4.5 installed. If not, get it here.
2. Download the above file to the PC then install it to the PC by running (double clicking) the OS file you downloaded. Make sure that Desktop Manager is closed and that your BlackBerry IS NOT connected while installing on your PC – You will connect it later.
3. Locate the vendor.xml file and delete it. It's located in c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader
4. Plug in the BlackBerry and Open Desktop Manager. You should be prompted to upgrade.

The process takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have to backup and restore during the process. Once it's done loading the new OS it will reboot (it may do this twice during the entire process.) You will see a white screen with an hourglass for up to 20 minutes at a time while the Desktop Manager says "waiting for initialization."
If you end up with a white screen with small icons and the number 507, simply connect to Desktop Manager again and run application loader again and it should load the OS to the device.

Upgrade on your own risk and don’t complain to me if it fails

BlackBerry OS 4.5 Offered on CraigsList?!?

Some guy from New Jersey is offering on craigslist to upgrade your BlackBerry (any model) to OS 4.5.0.55 for “only” $25 . Seriously?? I wonder if there’s anyone that actually paid him when you can get the upgrade for free on the official BlackBerry web site…

Noticed the message on top of the page warning of scams and fraud, however this post is still available after 5 days. We’ll see how long it takes them to take it of.

FREE THEME: Scribble Pad

Here is a beautiful and unique theme for your BlackBerry 8800 running OS 4.5. You can get more great themes like this one on http://www.pimpmyberry.com.

OTA Download: http://www.pimpmyberry.com/themes/member/bb8800wut/scribble%20today/OTA/scribble_today.jad

R.I.P Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones

About 5 years ago I decided to purchase the Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise Canceling headphones so I can use them on my trips. Since I’ve been flying in the last 5 years almost every week, the QC2 headphones have been one of the most important things to take with me on flights to enjoy the music in my iPod or just to enjoy the silence. It is amazing how well these headphones will reduce the amount of noise in the plane. From a crying baby to the noise of the plane engines – this is a must have for the road warriors.

About a year ago I noticed that the inside plastic of the headband broke. First on one side and then on both. This caused the headband to open up instead of holding tight when extending it. I went to the Bose store to show this to them, check the warranty and see if I could replace the expensive headphones or fix them and was disappointed to hear that it had only one year of warranty and there’s nothing they could do. Since Bose wouldn’t fix or replace them, I decided to fix the headphones on my own using duct tape and after applying it on both sides I was able to extend the headband again with no trouble. I was happy that I was able to keep on using the headphones (although it wasn’t a pretty fix):

A couple of months ago the next problem appeared. The  right ear cup cushion’s fabric seemed to completely tear from the inside exposing the foam. This is very ugly and although I couldn’t find a way to fix this I kept on using the headphones since they still functioned correctly:

This week, on my flight back from Tel Aviv, I noticed that my shirt was covered with black residue from the shedding fabric covering the ear cup. I took of the headphones and went to the bathroom to look at the mirror and I saw that my ear was full of the same black residue. I noticed that the fabric on the ear cup is so dry already that is falling apart piece by piece. At that moment I decided that enough is enough and unfortunately  it is just not worth using the headphones anymore.

Although I’ve used the headphones almost every week on my trips I must say I took care of them very well and always stored them inside the carrying case that comes with the headphones. I enjoyed the headphones very much and recommended them to many colleagues, but I must say that I’m disappointed with the quality of the materials the headphones are built from. I would expect that for  the money these headphones cost they would last longer than 5 years.

MapQuest Mobile for BlackBerry

MapQuest announced today the beta launch of MapQuest 4 Mobile. MQ4M provides an easy to use interface on your BlackBerry for all the MapQuest services you can get online for free!

• Maps: Aerial maps and interactive maps that are adjusted for the BlackBerry screen without the need to wait for long downloads
• Directions: The accurate directions you can get on the MapQuest web site along with the useful direction sign icons
• Search for business
• Traffic – Get traffic reports and information on incidents right on the map
• Find Me – Uses your BlackBerry GPS

To download MapQuest 4 Mobile, navigate from your BlackBerry browser to www.mq4m.com.

Google Mobile App for BlackBerry

Google released a new free mobile application for the BlackBerry. The Google Mobile App is an all-in-one application that allows you to get all of Google’s services from one interface instead of having different ones installed on your BlackBerry.

So what do you get with the new application?

• Fast Google search - enter queries without waiting for a browser to load
• Search history - easily access and amend your previous queries
• Google Suggest - complete queries with less typing
• Easy access to Google products for your phone - click once to download and install our applications for BlackBerry, and get immediate access to our web-based services
• Google Apps support - get direct links to your Google Apps Calendar and Documents/Spreadsheets (select Menu, Options, Use Google Apps Domain: yes, and then enter your domain name)
• Update alerts - learn about new versions of downloadable Google mobile applications and upgrade with just one click (Google Mobile App replaces Google Updater for BlackBerry)

To download the application, browse to m.google.com on your BlackBerry device.

(Bad) Changes to OnePass

Continental Airlines announced on Friday changes to their OnePass members. Most (if not all) of them are bad .

• Effective Oct. 7, 2008, customers will be charged $15 for their first checked bag when traveling on tickets purchased on or after Sept. 5, 2008, within the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Elite members are exempt from paying the fee and will be allowed to check their first bag free of charge. Customers traveling with Elite members are also exempt from the fee as long as they are traveling in the same reservation.
• Effective for travel on or after Jan. 1, 2009, OnePass members will earn the actual miles flown rather than a minimum of 500 miles per flight for tickets purchased on or after Nov. 15, 2008.
• Effective for reward travel booked on or after Jan.1, 2009, reward travel mileage requirements will increase for customers traveling between North America and Tel Aviv (TLV) and between Hawaii and Tel Aviv.

	USA to TLV		Hawaii to TLV
	Economy	BusinessFirst	Economy	BusinessFirst
SaverPass	90,000	120,000	110,000	140,000
EasyPass	140,000	300,000	160,000	320,000

• Effective for travel on or after March 1, 2009, Elite Mileage Bonuses will decrease for Platinum members from 125% to 100% and for Silver members from 50% to 25% for tickets purchased on or after Nov. 15, 2008. Gold members will continue to earn 100% mileage bonuses.

Continental is obviously trying to reduce the amount of miles it gives to their frequent flyers in order to limit the amount of free flights they can take. The most annoying change is the price increase to Tel Aviv which I frequently use. This is by far the most expensive miles flight that is offered. Just to compare the other International SaverPass Economy offered out of USA:

Between North America and Asia	60,000
Between North America and North Asia/South Asia	70,000
Between North America or Hawaii and Northern South America	35,000
Between North America or Hawaii and Southern South America	50,000
Between North America and Europe	50,000

One Million Hilton HHonors Bonus Points

Hilton HHonors has a free contest that gives you a chance to win one of the 5 prizes of 1,000,000 Hilton HHonors points. All you need to do is register for the contest and then book a stay at the Hilton family hotels online or rent a car from National between September 1st and November 30th, 2008 and complete the stay/rental before December 15th.

Google Chrome – First Impressions

Google released this week the first version of their browser, called Chrome, and I decided to give it a quick look. I’ve played with Firefox (even v3) and Safari (after Apple aggressively pushed it to my computer) but always came back to Internet Explorer, so I wanted to see if there is anything here that would make me abandon the Microsoft browser and I must say that from a first impression, there are a lot of good things about this new browser that could actually make me dump Internet explorer. Here is what I observed so far:

• Chrome is blazing fast! Pages just load extremely quickly and efficiently. Google focused on creating a browser that is made for Web applications and not just static pages so JavaScript processing is extremely fast. They created a benchmark page that will allow you to test the different browsers you have for speed and see the results yourself. The results are pretty impressive:

• The browser design is extremely minimalist and only shows you what you need to give you the maximum space for the web page / application you are using. At first it might seem like some important things are missing that you can really live without for example:
  • The Home page button – This is something that you got used to from the first version of the browser but seems to be missing here. When you open a new tab you are taken to the Chrome home page (this can be changed in the options) which shows you the most visited sites, quick search box and recent bookmarks.
  • The bookmarks – This was the thing that I missed most. I’m used to work with the bookmarks tab open all the time in IE. By default the bookmarks (which are imported from your other browser) are “gone”. You can access them only when you are looking at the “New Tab” or change this setting and enable quick access to the bookmarks bar in every tab.
• The address bar is dynamic and shows you very efficiently suggestions as you type. It will suggest sites you visited before, that you have in your bookmarks or even allow you to search directly from the address bar in Google (or other default search engine)
• Speaking of searching, Chrome seems to take over the search capabilities in other sites, so after visiting Amazon and searching for a book, next time you want to search for a book in Amazon you can do it directly in your address bar instead of going to Amazon and then searching for the book. Pretty cool

• Google decided to isolate each web site / application you are using, so if one gets stuck it doesn’t kill the others. Each tab has its own process space so they don’t share the same memory address and threads (also helps the security and isolation of harmful sites). You can even access the different browsers you have open from their own task manager (Shift+Esc):

• And even access more information about the different tabs:

• The browser has a great built-in source viewer that actually looks like an HTML source viewer instead of opening the source in notepad:

• Another great developer tool is the JavaScript console. It is a great tool that gives you a clear navigation in the page source (it also marks in the page itself what part it is) and see errors, warnings etc.

• Searching for a text within a page also is implemented very nicely. Instead of popping another dialog and clicking for next result, the search is built into the page showing you the number of matches as you type them and also highlighting the text in the page. As you type the text, the browser also focuses automatically on the area of the page where the first (or only) result shows up:

• The popup blocker works great! Instead of just blocking the popup window, they are confined to the tab they came from and appear as a minimized window in the bottom right, so you can still look at them if you want (just like dragging an application window). Once the tab they are part of is closed or you browse to a different site, they will disappear as well.

This is a very quick and clean browser that is worth checking out! You can go through the comics book that was created by Google to explain about the features of Chrome and what went into building the application.