THE MARK TAYLOR CANDLESHORE BLOG

Hello Everyone, 

Here is a very well written and comprehensive article, by CNET’s Marguerite Reardon, that explains the technology behind the next generation of wireless connectivity.

Enjoy,

Mark

October 3, 2008 4:00 AM PDT
What’s the big deal about WiMax?
Posted by Marguerite Reardon 

Sprint Nextel has made headlines all week as it’s started lighting up its first 4G wireless network using a technology called WiMax. But what exactly is WiMax? And how does it fit into the future of wireless? Here’s a primer to help you sort it out.  Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone,

Even though I know it’s a bit confusing at first, you will soon discover that the upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 is well worth any learning curve.

One of the more significant changes to Windows Mobile 6.1 that I want to bring to the attention of those who are visually impaired is that, unlike the previous version, in Windows Mobile 6.1, a recently used program grid appears when the Left Soft key is tapped from the Home/Today screen.  Consequently, in order to display the Windows Start Menu, you must tap the Left Soft key a second time.  I recommend that visually impaired people disable this feature as doing so will once again cause the Left Soft key to immediately display the Start Menu when tapped from the Home/Today screen. 

To disable the most recently used program grid:  Read the rest of this entry »

Dearest,

You are more than welcome for this little token of my effection.

You know, so often during the course of a day, week, month, year, etc, one can forget her value in life.  As one deals with the day-to-day trials and tribulations of both work and family, it is so easy to forget that she is someone special and, as such, touches the lives of so many in very extraordinary and wonderful ways.  Read the rest of this entry »

FROM CLAIRE (Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008)

No offense here, but since I’ve been on this Code Factory mailing list, I’ve seen several posts of what I’d consider to be a negative spin in regard to Mark’s postings. 

If this is true, and I’m in fact reading this correctly, then let me simply ask, “Why?”  Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone, 

The following is a very gracious letter I received in response to my article entitled “Doctor Doctor Give Me The News”.  [Click Here to read the original article.]

Mark

Hi,

My name is Dorine.

I have a T-Mobile Dash and I was able to create medication reminders on my phone by following the directions that you posted.  It is an individual thing. For me it is a lifesaver because I have a T.B.I. and often forget to take my medications.

Thanks Mark I like having my independence.

It irks me to have an aide remind me.  I am on my way to being caretaker free.

Dorine

REPLY FROM MARK

Hello Dorene,

Thank you for taking the time to send this feedback. 

I wish you all the best.

Most sincerely,

Mark

QUESTION FROM JAY

Hey Mark,

I wanted to talk to you in regards to the principle of why you posted that article in your blog. [Click Here to read the article being discussed.]  Not to harshly criticize the content, or even the effectiveness of the application, but more so for my own interest as I am looking at entering into assistive technology consulting for my local area.  Read the rest of this entry »

From Marco

Subject:  Doctor Doctor Give Me The News

why aren’t you having a balanced approach to the technology reviews that is out there.  Every  thing that you have been posting on to your blog has been favoring google as if they need support and you have been demonstrating an anti Microsoft bias in your postings to your blog.  Kind of funny considering you are using or probably using windows mobile on your mobile device since google doesn’t have an accessible operating system for any of their products.  Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone,

INTRODUCTION
Recently, I received several emails requesting that I make a recommendation for an accessible medication prescription reminder application that can be used on a mobile device.

While there are both commercial and free medication prescription reminder applications available for use on a mobile device, I cannot recommend them at this time for several reasons not the least of which being that they are not comfortably accessible with screen reading software, like Mobile Speak, for the blind and low vision.

Not to worry my friends for as is often the case, Google provides a free, easy-to-use, and reliable tool that will remind you when to take your medicine.  Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone, 

I invite you to, like me, start tripping
with TripIt. 

TripIt is a personal travel assistant that automatically organizes all your travel plans. TripIt is free and makes it easy to (1) quickly organize all your travel plans — flights, hotels, cars, trains, cruises and more; (2) automatically get itineraries with all your plans, weather, maps, restaurants and more; (3) easily access your itineraries via paper, email, personal calendar or mobile device; and (4) share your trips and see where you overlap with friends and colleagues. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you enjoy this approximately 11 minute podcast CNET News review of Google Android, T-Mobile, and the world’s first Google phone.

Click Here to listen.

Mark

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you enjoy this approximately 9 minute audio CNET News review of Google’s new mobile operating system, Android.

Click Here to listen.

Mark

Hello Everyone,

Because of all the recent emails I’ve received regarding the Verizon Wireless SMT5800 Smartphone, I decided to go into a corporate store and take a look at it, today.

I must admit, I was very impressed with what I saw.  The SMT5800 is a very, very handsome device.  It has a good solid heft to it and it is very well put together.  I really like the way the phone slides revealing the full QWERTY keyboard which is remarkably tactile.  In fact, I could hardly keep myself from opening and closing the phone while I reviewed it.  It was so much fun.  Were I to own this model, I doubt very seriously if I would get any work done because I really got a kick out of opening and closing that thing. 

Verizon Wireless, like the other two major wireless providers in the USA, continues to sell models with Windows Mobile 6.0. 

Don’t worry A T & T Wireless Blackjack 2 users, the BJ2 is still my first love; but I will admit I regretted having to give the SMT5800 back to the store manager. (Smile)

I will definitely begin recommending the SMT5800 for Verizon Wireless subscribers.

Congratulations to all of you who chose this very high quality, ultra convenient Smartphone.  

Most Sincerely,

Mark

Hello Everyone, 

Recently, AT&T Wireless released Windows Mobile 6.1 for the Samsung Blackjack II Smartphone.  This is a free upgrade that I strongly encourage you to install as it greatly improves the responsiveness and functionality of the Samsung Blackjack II Smartphone. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone, 

Did you know that you can now register Internet domain names directly from your mobile device?

Well, my dear friends, you can!

Read the rest of this entry »

Hello All,

I found the following article posted on the WM Experts BLOG entitled “How To Edit The Registry”.

It is an excellent introduction for those of you who desire to demystify the dank and dark doldrums that is Windows Mobile.  (Smile) 

Enjoy,

Mark

Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone, 

The following press release from Google is one of the most exciting I’ve read in quite a while. 

For the record, I am now using this little trinket on my Samsung Blackjack II Smart Phone and my world has gotten a little brighter.  Google, show me the way.  (Smile)

Enjoy,

Mark Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone,

This is for those using Windows Mobile 6.1 wireless devices.

As you know, WM 6.1 now displays SMS (text messages) in what is referred to as threaded or conversation view.  This makes a text message conversation appear similar to that of an instant message complete with a text message history.

NOTE 1:
Please be aware that the following information applies to the Standard Edition of Windows Mobile 6.1 ( for Smart Phones) as opposed to WM6.1 Professional (Pocket PCs) because as a general rule, WM6.1 Pro has a bit more functionality; hence Pocket PC users may find the information in this article either redundant or unnecessary.

NOTE 2:
At the time of this writing, Windows Mobile 6.1 Smart Phone users do not have a direct option  to disable SMS conversation/threaded mode.  Currently, Smart Phone users may either download third-party applications that will disable this mode or they may modify the Windows Mobile 6.1 Registry (for advanced users, only).

NOW, BACK TO OUR SHOW: Read the rest of this entry »

“So Mark, what is the difference between Symbian and Windows Mobile phones?”

Hello Everyone,

Regardless of how many times I am asked the above question, I cannot find a succinct and satisfactory answer.  Does such an answer even exist?  I do not know but I can tell you that the following article brilliantly written by CNET’s Rick Broida (May 2, 2008), entitled CNET’s Quick Guide to Handheld Operating Systems, makes me oh so aware of the difference they, the operating systems that is, make in my life. (Smile)

Enjoy,

Mark Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone, 

Samsung Blackjack II users who have either upgraded to or purchased a model running Windows  Mobile 6.1 will notice a new feature that is sure to enhance their Windows Mobile experience.

This new feature has to do with the navigation (JOG) wheel on the Blackjack II. 

Click Here for a keyboard layout description of the Blackjack II.

Previously, one could not adjust the speed ratio at which the selection bar would move in relation to the turn of the wheel.  However, just like its big brothers Windows XP and Vista when dealing with pointing devices, now this ratio can be adjusted by the user. 

Here’s how it works: Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone,