Matt's Desk: Pocket PC Central Editor's Blog

How to Close All Tabs in Firefox 3

MNichols — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:44:44 +0000

I typically have about 10 to 15 tabs open in Firefox, and more than a few times throughout my working day I just want them all gone without having to close each tab individually or exiting and re-launching the browser. The solution? A great extension called, surprisingly enough, Tab Clicking Options. In addition to setting up the add-on to close all tabs when you double-click, middle-click, right-click, shift-click, etc,. you can also setup other great quick tab-righteous commands. You should definitely give it a try if you’re a tab-jockey such as myself.

Do you have a favorite tab related Firefox add-on? Please let me know.

LG Decoy - Phone+Bluetooth Headset=Duh

MNichols — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:26:49 +0000

It’s a concept so seemingly obvious, you have to wonder why no one has come up with it before. LG’s new Decoy handset, available on Verizon Wireless, combines a slider cell phone with a built-in, removable Bluetooth headset. Other features include a microSD memory card slot for music and video and a 2MP digital camera. If anyone has one of these, let me know what you think. If there’s enough interest from those of us who don’t have one, I’ll get one in for review.

-Matt

Hopes for Windows Mobile 7, Part I: Syncing

MNichols — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:52:12 +0000

With Apple, Google and RIM making swift and sweeping moves in the world of handheld operating systems, Windows Mobile 6 - you know, Windows Mobile 5 / 2003 / 2002 with a slight makeover - is becoming a dated platform in many respects; we’re still a country mile from Palm OS territory, but it’s time for a major overhaul.

As I see it, the next version of Windows Mobile is in need of updating in at least five major respects. First, the overall UI, or general look and aesthetic appeal. Second, more touch-friendly navigation. Third, better mobile web browsing. Fourth, better multimedia management and control. And finally, simple, instant and fully wireless syncing.

I’ve decided to focus my first in a multi-part editorial on the syncing possibilities of Windows Mobile and what improvements need to be added for Windows Mobile 7, which is due out next year.

Keep reading Hopes for Windows Mobile 7, Part I: Syncing.

Make History, Download Firefox 3

MNichols — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:13:55 +0000

Okay, so it’s not exactly like helping form the world’s first Constitutional Republic or working to map the human genome, but today Mozilla is asking your help in making history for the most downloads in a day in order to highlight the release of the final version of the new Firefox 3 web browser.

Made available today at noon CDT, Firefox 3 boasts over 15,000 reported improvements and has the entire tech world aflutter.

If you want to be a part of his possibly record-making attempt, head over to SpreadFirefox.com and download a copy or two. or fifty.

The Firefox web site has been down a good bit today since there are so many users trying to download, but if you keep trying, you’ll hopefully be able to grab the new browser sometime this afternoon. You can also try the FTP server, though downloading from this location may not register for the most downloads attempt.

Gearing Up for 3G iPhone

MNichols — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:46:04 +0000

I’ve spent most of the day working on the new iPhone section of Pocket PC Central, aptly named iPhone Edition. I’m excited about this new part of the site for two reasons: first, it’s always interesting to broaden the products and topics covered by PPCC. The second is that the iPhone, which has changed so much of the handheld landscape, is about to change itself, and covering the evolution of a popular product is great.

Apple is announcing, most expect, the 2nd Gen iPhone on Monday. Commonly called the 3G iPhone, the new Apple smartphone (or perhaps smartphones) will work with faster wireless networks, allow for 3rd party software, will sync with Exchange and will feature a new and improved OS.

With PPCC: iPhone Edition, we’ll try to blend what makes Pocket PC Central so successful with the iPhone universe; of course, there’s a great deal of information out there about the iPhone, and I certainly know that much of it is high-quality, but hopefully we can add to the conversation and even help a few folks out in the process.

Stay tuned to iPhone Edition’s 3G iPhone page on Monday for the latest details and feel free to e-mail me with any questions or comments regarding the new sub-section of PPCC. I’m calling it quits for the week.

-M

Time Lost, Time Remembered

MNichols — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:26:21 +0000

As you may have noticed, I’ve not submitted a post to my blog in over two months. The reason for my absence was family related; my grandfather had a stroke in early April and passed away a couple of weeks ago. My grandfather was a brilliant man, a World War II veteran, and one who touched the lives of many people throughout his life, including myself.

He will be greatly missed.

Please visit the National Stroke Association for information on stroke risk factors, prevention and recovery.

Windows Mobile, Meet Windows Live (Please!)

MNichols — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:34:00 +0000

The Microsoft team working on the Windows Live suite of software and utilities are doing some very interesting work these days; too bad there aren’t more tie ins with Windows Mobile. Imagine a Cloud-based syncing and data management solution for Windows Mobile via Windows Live: Live Mail, Photo Gallery, Live Writer, Spaces and Even SkyDrive, all right from your handheld.

I propose integrating ActiveSync on the handheld with some of these Live services for a fully-wireless syncing slash Push technology functionality with all wireless Windows Mobile handsets. It’s very doable. What do you think?

Save 10% @ Best Buy

MNichols — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:04:04 +0000

I visit Best Buy about once a week; what can I say? I’m a kid in a candy store. I’m sure that many of you out there are fans, too, so I though I’d pass along a little sum-thin: a printable 10% off coupon.

Just print the coupon and take it with you the next time you make a BB run. It’s not technically good for every single item in the store (for example it excludes Apple and Bose products), but if you snag a friendly guy or gal at checkout, you may just be able to swing it. Feel free to share this coupon with as many people as you like. It expires April 30, 2008.

Via BigBoxSavings.com

Folder Sync & Remote Access with FolderShare

MNichols — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:45:18 +0000

If you’re often on the go and have more than one PC, always having access to the files you need can be a real hassle. Microsoft’s FolderShare software, which is currently in beta, attempts to take the pain out of file access with a simple, straightforward and, best of all, free, solution.

First, you install a small utility on your PCs. Next, you create an account to log into a web-based interface from which you can view the files on any FolderShare-equipped PC, set up syncing profiles across systems and more. I’m a huge fan of Microsoft’s Live suite of applications, and FolderShare is another very worthwhile offering.

Give FolderShare a try by downloading it here.

New Hope in Windows Mobile Web Browsing

MNichols — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:57:42 +0000

I’ve just posted an editorial in the News section of Pocket PC Central concerning new Windows Mobile web browsers for 2008. There are several new and upcoming browsers which show a lot of promise. To me, the gold standard (at least in terms of what’s available in the here and now) of mobile web browsers is Apple’s Safari application which runs on the iPhone and iPod touch. Here’s hoping that at least one of these new WM browsers can deliver nearly as well as Safari.

You can read the editorial here. I’d also love to hear what you think about Windows Mobile web browsing in general.