curve

New Blackberry details

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

The newest WiFi Blackberry devices--the 8820 and 8320--are similar in having dual-network cellular and WiFi capabilities, but there are significant differences in the networks and the way that the hand-held machines move between them. The AT&T 8820 is an enterprise-ready platform, with few of the consumer-ready add-ons seen in many recent smartphones. For this reason, the 8820's WiFi is ideal for enterprise-specific applications or for simple web browsing. The 8320 Curve from T-Mobile, on the other hand, is full of features like a 2 megapixel camera and stereo audio jack. It's also designed to link with T-Mobile hotspots found at Starbucks and thousands of other locations. Two approaches, two sets of features, but one platform. It's the Blackberry way.

For more on the new Blackberries:
- read the new product analysis at CIO-Today

RIM's new BlackBerry Curve getting rave reviews

Sun, 06 May 2007 20:01:37 -0400

The race to bring out the coolest smartphone continues with the introduction of RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8300, a small, high-style device that combines telephone, email and Internet connectivity with a full QWERTY keyboard, 2-megapixel camera, MP3 player, and more into a 3.9 once package. While the Curve may not cannibalize sales from the Blackberry 8800 in the enterprise market, it will probably be an attractive option for consumers attracted to the Pearl but put off by the stacked-symbol keyboard. Though RIM had service issues earlier in the Spring, the Blackberry and its siblings remain critical tools for the modern enterprise. The Curve 8300 will be available later this Spring at a price that hasn't yet been announced.

For more about the Curve:
- See this article at DailyTechRag
- And read all about it at CIO-Today

Editor's Corner

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 19:01:39 -0500

Signs of Maturity?
Anyone who has kids (or who has been a kid) knows that growing up can be fun, but it's almost never easy. We get to see both sides of the maturity curve this week. Demo 07, the conference where companies pitch their newest products, had a heavy wireless contingent with a lot of companies eager to bring new products and services to the most portable platforms. That's great news. At the same time, we're beginning to see a market emerging in which customers demand high speed and great services, rather than the simple existence of a capability. That's still great, but makes life harder for you when you have to choose partners. Finally, the malware horde of Trojans, worms and viruses is beginning to invade the wireless world in a more serious way, and the anti-virus companies are noticing. It's a product category that you'd love not to need. Put them all together, though, and the signs are clear that wireless platforms are becoming more important as enterprise tools, and that's ultimately a very good thing for all of us. -Curtis

How to secure VoIP in just 5 steps

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 19:01:38 -0500

When it comes to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), there's still quite a bit of debate over the security issue. But it's tough to deny that the technology isn't worth the vulnerabilities. The trick is deploying it and securing it to the best of your ability. There are five specific things you can do to make that happen. The first step is making sure you stay ahead of the upgrade curve and seriously consider running the VoIP network over a separate local area network to limit damage if an attack is aimed at the voice network. The second is to understand that there are many potential entryways for risks and security issues, from the network to applications such as browsers and media players. Each aspect has to be critically reviewed and secured. Find out what the other three top best practices are when aiming to secure that VoIP deployment. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 13 Nov 2005 19:01:40 -0500

No matter which publication--tech or consumer-focused--there is wireless news happening everywhere. What I find most interesting are the technology trends. Gaining insight on how the technology is advancing outside of the US is typically a good barometer for keeping the hype factor in check.

That's why an article on how wireless is advancing in South Korea caught my eye today. In fact, South Korea is way ahead of us (the US) when it comes to wireless deployments, user base and new telco services. For example, while US devices can receive and display digital images, Korean phones can create that type of content. Their phones are already being used to help residents avoid traffic jams--an application that is just being piloted around the US. The country's telecommunication vendors are building faster and more robust mobile device chips that will boost even better data capabilities--functionality that US enterprises likely won't see for a while.

The big hurdle on our side is that our vendor and service communities are a bit behind the curve. According to experts, once our companies get past that hurdle, we'll be experiencing all the same great wireless innovation that South Koreans are now enjoying. - Judy