Prevent Opera Mini from Freezing in Windows Mobile

I've been testing Opera Mini on my Windows Mobile device and I was pleased by the speed and performance, but I noticed that it would freeze up occasionally. My entire device would crash and I'd have to reset the phone. I decided to change the Network Protocol from Socket to HTTP. Now, I have yet to experience a freeze or a crash. Opera Mini 4.2 has become my favorite mobile browser on my XV6800 (HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul) Pocket PC because it's so much faster than Skyfire, Opera Mobile, Iris, or Pocket Internet Explorer. So, if you use your mobile device to browse medical websites and participate in CME activities, I would urge you to try Opera Mini. You won't get any "out of memory" messages and if you switch your Network Protocol, you shouldn't get any frustrating freeze-ups. Caveat: you won't get Flash content on Opera Mini.

Improvements to Skyfire

If you use a Windows Mobile device, I hope you've tried Skyfire. It's probably one of the best mobile browsers currently available. I think it beats Pocket Internet Explorer, Opera, and Iris. I say this because you rarely run into a "out of memory" error using Skyfire (although you may not get this problem if you use a different phone. I've only tried it on my XV6800).

Skyfire is still in beta, but the most recent version adds social networking Web 2.0 features.

Opera Mini, Opera Mobile, Skyfire, and Iris

I've been testing several different mobile browsers lately. They are:

• Pocket Internet Explorer (I hardly use this one anymore)
• Skyfire (lots of positive press recently)
• Opera Mobile
• Opera Mini (need Java Virtual Machine)
• Iris (recently updated)

Verdict? Still don't have one since most of these are still beta versions. I'm still waiting for final versions. While I wait, I think Skyfire is at the top of my list right now.

When will Firefox be available for Windows Mobile? I doubt that Safari will ever be made available for Windows Mobile. Is there a chance that Chrome will make it to Windows Mobile? Doubtful since Android is trying to win some of the marketplace.

BlackBerry in Healthcare

More and more doctors are checking their e-mail on the go. Traditionally, they've relied on the Palm Treo. However, many have recently switched to the iPhone and even more and now going with a BlackBerry.

So what role will the BlackBerry play in the healthcare sector? The Palm OS is dying, unless the Palm Pre really takes off and recaptures dedicated users. Windows Mobile is still a dominant platform for healthcare professionals. The iPhone has been a bit hit among medical students, residents, and recent grads. Where will the BlackBerry fit into all of this?

Since these devices all have internet connectivity, the need for a standalone application is diminishing. All you need is a web portal that is optimized for mobile browsing. Once you make that available, then you can look up medical information without installing an application. Will that be the future trend?

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry has evolved tremendously, hasn't it? I'm very eager to see what will appear at CES 2009. My prediction is that most future BlackBerry models will have a touch screen plus a hardware keyboard. They will look similar to a Treo, but will be wider and thinner (bigger keys compared to the Treo).

The big question in my mind is: will the BlackBerry become a dominant player among healthcare professionals? We all know how about its popularity among corporate users. Doctors, pharmacists, and nurses have traditionally relied on Palm and Windows Mobile. Now you have the iPhone gaining substantial momentum, especially with the availability of Epocrates on the iPhone. What about BlackBerry?

The death of Palm?

I've always been a Windows Mobile user (aka Pocket PC), so I may be biased. However, according to this PC World article, it looks like Palm got rid of 200 workers this week. What does this mean about the future of this company?

Medical professionals (especially medical students) have traditionally tended to favor the Palm OS because of the availability of medical applications. However, the recent trend seems to be towards the iPhone and even the BlackBerry for those who check their e-mail frequently. Of course, I still use Windows Mobile and I have no plans to change anytime soon. Will Android put the end to Palm?

Skyfire

So far, Skyfire seems to be the best mobile browser for my Verizon XV6800. Since Skyfire isn't publicly available for anyone to download, you have to sign up for their private beta testing program. One of the best features of Skyfire is that you can easily select your zooming area. You can just tap and drag the edge of the zoom box to fit your screen. The other great feature is the built-in Flash player.

Still testing and comparing with the other mobile browsers, but so far Skyfire seems to be the best one.

Official Treo Pro - the Slimmest Treo

The official Treo Pro is the thinnest, slimmest Treo to come out of Palm. Unlike other Treo phones out there, this new phone will run Windows Mobile 6.1 and have built-in GPS + Wi-Fi. Since the phone is so thin, people may think it resembles other Windows Mobile devices that lack a touch screen. This device will have a high resolution touch screen and use the universal micro USB connector.

Will Palm also release a CDMA version for Verizon/Sprint? Or will the GSM version be the only one? Also, what type of battery life will this phone have? Form factor always needs to be balanced with functionality. I think I'd prefer a slightly bulkier phone that has robust battery life. Otherwise, make sure you offer an extended battery option.

Palm Treo Pro 850 Windows Mobile

The latest Palm Treo looks like it's going to be a very popular phone. Take a look at the Treo Pro 850 running Windows Mobile! I used to have a Treo 700wx on Verizon Wireless. I liked the phone, but it was big, slow, and didn't have enough memory. Plus, that old phone lacked a built-in GPS.

Well, the new Treo 850 may be one of the best Windows Mobile phones for those who want a hardware keyboard but don't want a slider. Can't wait to see it!

XV6800 with GPS vs. iPhone

Since I'm on Verizon Wireless, I can't use an iPhone. However, I can use the XV6800 that has a built-in GPS chip. To use the GPS in the XV6800 (also known as the Sprint Mogul or the HTC Titan), you have to make some custom changes to the operating system (or ROM).

The nice thing about the XV6800 is that it runs on Windows Mobile 6 (or 6.1 if you load customized ROM). Therefore, you can run all sorts of GPS and mapping software, ranging from TomTom Navigator, Garmin Mobile, and several other software packages. Plus, there are FREE software solutions like Google Maps and Microsoft Live Search. Before you know it, you'll have a fully-functional GPS navigation unit in your hand.

Google Maps gets updated

If you use Google Maps on your Windows Mobile (or Pocket PC) device, then you'll be glad to know there's an update available. Version 2.2.0.16 is now available. Get it here: www.google.com/gmm

Do you use more than one computer?

Many of us have more than 1 computer at home. We keep old ones and we may even have a mini museum of old PCs.

How many people regularly use more than 1 computer? I'm sure that most use a computer at work. Are you familiar with different operating systems? Windows XP? Vista? Mac OS? Linux? Laptop? Desktop?

Do you use a UMPC or tablet PC?

I've been thinking about how usage patterns have been evolving. People are using their PC to check e-mail, browse the web, chat on forums, socialize in social networking sites, and do their work. At what point does a person decide that "I need another PC in my life?"

Where is the UMPC market going?

Switch to Verizon XV6800

I've been a Verizon Wireless customer for many years now. I've also been a Windows Mobile user since the days of the old Pocket PC and Windows CE devices. I went ahead and upgraded to the new XV6800 and I'm happy so far.

Here are the main reasons why.

Compared to the old Treo 700wx running Windows Mobile 5:

1. I can save $15 each month for a cheaper unlimited data plan ($29 instead of $45).
2. I've loaded a custom ROM that includes Windows Mobile 6.1 and this gives me much better Internet browsing capabilities and several other useful features. Want to know how I did it? See below.
3. Much faster processor.
4. Much more internal RAM.
5. Larger screen.
6. Built-in GPS (only available if you load the custom ROM described below)
7. Bigger, better keyboard.
8. Smaller size and no antenna sticking out (not by much, but it still counts).
9. Mini-USB connector and charger.
10. Bluetooth 2.0 vs. the older 1.2

Those are the top 10 reasons why I went for this upgrade.

So what do I miss about my old Treo 700wx? I miss the one-handed operation. I could hold that phone and press the keyboard buttons using one hand. Now with the XV6800, to type on the keyboard, I really need to use two thumbs. Also, the Treo seemed to have better screen visibility outdoors.

So how did I load the custom ROM for the XV6800? I will refer you to these sites:

http://www.phonenews.com/how-to-add-gps-to-htc-mogul-xv6800-p4000-titan-2663/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371314&page=1

I'm currently running the DCD 2.3.2 ROM for Verizon. The instructions may seem a bit complex, but you just have to have some faith and go for it! It reminds me of the old days when Compaq would release ROM updates for the old iPaq 3600 models. Some of those ROM updating attempts would 'brick' the iPaq and turn it into a dead paperweight.

To get the internal GPS to work (only works with custom ROMs):

1. Go to Settings -> Phone - then click on the Services tab -> Location Setting and set to "Location On"
2. Allow Windows to manage the GPS automatically
3. For Google Maps, set the GPS settings to be set by Windows (not manually to a specific COM port)
4. For Windows Live Search, set the GPS to "GPS Intermediate Driver" at the bottom of the list.

To learn more about using the GPS on this phone, take a look at this:

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=17032