Office Mobility Blog

The Microsoft booth had a theater presentation that was full every time they did it. They were showing off the Windows Mobile experience for Email, Calendar, Contacts and Tasks, as well as the support for attachments using Office Mobile. The demos were impressive and they highlighted some of the improvements they have made, like being able to easily get at all of someone's contact methods from any part of the system, like an email.

They used the demo as a means to showcase a lot of different devices as well. Samsung announced a new, super thin Windows Mobile smartphone that looked a lot like the Motorola SLVR. Motorola's Q phone was also on display and is very cool indeed with a great looking screen with unusually clear fonts. It was the first time I had seen the Q in person and I liked it.

I thought the current crop on Windows Mobile Smartphones, all using the similar design of the Cingular 2125 device we have here in the states, were very nice. Small, solid and functional. An excellent phone for talk oriented users who want to review schedules and email, maybe reply back with a short message, but mostly like to talk on phones as their action of choice. The lack of a QWERTY keyboard in favor of a keypad will turn off users used to the messaging convenience of a BlackBerry or Treo.

Microsoft Live Communications Server was on display showing integration between Exchange email, IP Telephony/PBX systems and Instant Messaging services. For me, this demo was a look into the future where a single mobile device acts as an email client, instant messaging client (with Presence, a big buzzword for the team), wireless phone voice and data service and IP telephony for voice and data. Wherever you are, smart devices can determine the best use of available networks and provide you with optimal services. You could be at a remote location with WiFi and receive not only your email and IMs, but also incoming calls to your direct office line. Very cool stuff and happening now.

Nokia and S60
Nokia had a booth and was highlighting its Series 60 Symbian OS as the newly branded S60 platform. They had a number of developers showing applications like over the air device management and push to talk systems. What struck me about these applications was that it seemed they were really focusing on standards based systems, possibly hoping to find traction in IT departments looking for more control or use of Open source solutions. Could be a good strategy.

Nokia was also showing its new e Series devices aimed at the enterprise, including the very BlackBerry-like e61 and the e70 with it's phone-like looks and fold out QWERTY keyboard. These devices will have a broad range of mobile email solutions available to them including BlackBerry Connect (RIM was showing these devices at its booth) and many more through it's new Business Center server software it recently aquired from Intellisync.

I've never seen so many Nokia Communicators (9300 and 9500) as I have at the show.

Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson had a number of camera phones and walkman phones, but the big buzz at its booth was the new m600 device. Thin, stylish with a QWERTY keyboard, it runs the UIQ Symbial OS and looks to be an improvement over the p9xx series devices it has evolved from. It has Messaging capabilities including Exchange ActiveSync out of the box.

Motorola
Motorola didn't appear to have much new big news. RAZRs are now available in more colors. They should be releasing the Q very soon which should prove to be a very hot item in the Windows Mobile world. It has all the style factor of the RAZR and is a formidible Windows Mobile device with a good one handed experience and keyboard.

Other Technologies on Display & Random Observations
NTT DoCoMo had a booth there and was showing off iMode, but without a proper network at the show, it was hard to see why it is that much different than browsing specially mobile formatted sites. I think one of the differences may be that there is so much more content available there, that it makes for a more rewarding experience.

They were showing a side by side comparison of 3G networks vs a new higher speed network for broadcasting streamed video to phones. The difference was very noticable, but the mobile TV concept still has a way to go before becoming fully mainstream. But the technology is certianly getting there to allow it to happen. The coolest thing at the NTT booth was the proximity based payment system that turns your phone into an electronic payment system capable of purchasing airline tickets & movie tickets, storing membership information for stores and health clubs, rides on the metro system and much more. I expect this to be a trend that develops rapidly. I'm already using these types of technologies to pay tolls (EZ Pass) and buy gas and convenience store items (ExxonMobil Speedpass).

I saw very few people wearing Bluetooth headsets. I was expecting to see many more. It seems almost socially unacceptable to use one and a few people I talked to about it said that it's unusual to use one outside the car. Even wired headsets were uncommon, most people held the phone up to their ear to talk.

There were a number of mapping services at the show showing carrier-oriented services for driving/walking directions and points of interest. Location based services like this should prove to be very interesting and useful.

That's it for this posting. Overall, it was an interesting show and a look at the future of wireless technologies.