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, 

Ever get frustrated with trying to figure out how to dial vanity telephone numbers?

A vanity telephone number is one that uses the alphabet as a mnemonic to remembering the number.  For example (800) FLOWERS. 

Well now you can dial to your little heart’s content with the new Vanity Dialing feature now available on many WM6.1 mobile devices such as the Samsung Blackjack II Smart Phone. 

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

Hello Everyone, 

Just a quick note to let you know that Windows Mobile 6.1 users can now select which website is automatically displayed when opening Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer. 

To set the browser’s default home page: Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone, 

While those using Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional (touch screen) devices have always enjoyed the convenience of Microsoft’s Voice Command, with the upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard Edition, those using non touch screen devices such as the Samsung Blackjack II may now take advantage of this handy tool as well without having to purchase it as a separate product. 

What is Voice Command? Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone,

Among the many changes those upgrading to Windows Mobile 6.1 are noticing are (1) the SMS Inbox is now displayed in a threaded or conversation mode view and (2) sent SMS notifications are disabled. 

As usual, Microsoft, while brilliant in it design, is amazingly dull in its implementation.  By this I mean, it would have been nice for those using Windows Mobile 6.1 devices to have a way of enabling and disabling these features.  Please note that while there are a couple of Windows Mobile devices that allow these features to be toggled on and off, at the time of this post, most WM6.1 devices do not. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone,

The following is my reply to a statement that deals with what being an advanced, intermediate, or novice technology consumer means:

… Yes, I tend to agree that categories such as advanced, intermediate, and beginner are very subjective but, alas, it is the best we can do given so many variables. 

I’ve been thinking about this ever since I read this post.

Generally, I think of an advanced technology user as someone who possesses enough knowledge or confidence to recover from almost any non catastrophic problem with little or no immediate person-to-person assistance. 

Again, this, too, is subjective but, for those with whom I have supported in a customer service environment, this definition has served me well. 

Kindly,

Mark

Hello Everyone,

I am delighted to let you know that the WM6.1 upgrade has just been released for the Samsung Blackjack II AT&T Wireless Smartphone.

While there are many links on the web that, eventually, take you to the same download site, the one I am posting will, in addition to providing the official link to the files, hopefully answer some questions you may have before upgrading. 

 Behold and Beware.

Click Here to get started. 

Good Luck and Enjoy.

Mark

Save A Little Power For Me

Hello Everyone,

The following are some simple suggestions which may help reduce battery drain on your Mobile device:

1.
When not in use, disable both the Bluetooth and/or WIFI transmitters.

2.
If possible, such as on the Samsung Blackjack 2 Smartphone, turn off the keyboard backlight or, in the alternative, reduce the time period which is automatically turns on.

3.
Reduce all display time-out periods.

4.
Lower the display brightness level. 

5.
Generally, charging from a standard outlet provides better battery power than charging from a computer via USB.

Click Here for a companion article entitled “When All I Want Is A Little Power”.  

Good Luck,

Mark  
 

INTRODUCTION:
By now, many of you know that I am a huge proponent of “cloud computing”.  As the online universe continues to evolve, this cleverly coined concept will continue to define our digital destiny.

Be that as it may, as a visually impaired person using both screen reading software such as Mobile Speak (Mobile Phones) and Jaws (Desktop/Note Book PCs) as well as Screen magnifying software such as ZoomText, I find accessing web-based email, in the “cloud” as it were, slow and inefficient at best, unsatisfying and tiring at worst. 

In a previous article I posted entitled “Email Me One More Time”, I discuss how the iMAP (iMAP4: Internet Message Access Protocol) as opposed to the POP (POP3: Post Office Protocol) has significantly shortened the gap between web-based email access via a web browser such as Fire Fox and locally installed email clients such as MS Outlook for those not fortunate enough to be on an MS Exchange service, truly the Cadillac of online communication vehicles.

In its infinite wisdom (not), Microsoft does not allow iMAP access to those using Windows Live Hotmail, MSN, or anything else Microsoft.  Further, those wishing to access Live Hotmail through an email client can only do so via POP and only after upgrading to a Windows Live Hotmail Plus account at the cost of $19.95 per year.

Now, let me say that I have no problem with the upgrade cost as paying it insures that my Microsoft Live account will not be deleted due to inactivity and, more importantly, it removes any advertisements from any messages sent or received.  

You may be wondering why a person like me, who owns and manages several email and web servers, would want to use a Microsoft Windows Live account.  There are several reasons but perhaps the most significant is the fact that using a Windows Live Hotmail account streamlines the Microsoft Mesh experience.  Oh yeah, and I like having an email address with the domain of “live.com”.  (Smile) 

Like Google, Microsoft offers an ever increasing array of free online services such as Calendar and Contacts synchronization.  Unlike Google, however, Microsoft makes any online synchronization convoluted and, at times, down right painful; at least until now. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello Everyone,

The following is the general procedure for deleting text messages from your Windows Mobile Smart Phone:

NOTE 1:
The following instructions assume that you wish to delete more than one text message at a time from any folder. Read the rest of this entry »