I've had a number of Thinkpads in the past and always found them well bolted together and best of all had a nipple.  Also the current tablet, the X41, gets my vote as it has a superb screen and seems pretty sturdy.  Spare a thought then as it seem Lenovo are accelerating the move to drop the IBM name and logo from the PC business it purchased from Big Blue less than two years ago. 

I hope for two, not make that three things.  They remain some of the best made laptops you can buy, you can still get them in black and it's nipples not touchpads.

I’ve been using an i-Mate K-Jam for a while now and I’ve been impressed, wonderful device and a pull out keyboard to boot.  But my job requires that I swap devices now and again (tough I know) so in the spirit of objectivity I’ve started using an Orange C600 and as Orange have already posted the AKU2 update I can easily get ‘push’ mail.  I even like the colour.

My C500 which was and still is a cracking device has been retired to the old phones home.

I just need Jason to part with the Samsung i320, not I suggest an easy task.

This blog has been dormant for a while but now I wrestled control from Steve and Martin it's time for it to rise Phoenix like from the ashes of Jason Langridge’s cast off phones and PDAs.

The focus will of course be devices running Windows Mobile but I will also sidetrack into other things Microsoft including my recently acquired Xbox 360 and other things that I things I think you might find interesting.

Feel free to drop me an email.

The Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration tool enables administrators to manage the process of remotely erasing lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised mobile devices.

By using the Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration Web tool, administrators can perform the following actions:
• View a list of all devices that are being used by any enterprise user
• Select/De-select devices to be remotely erased
• View the status of pending remote erase requests for each device
• View a transaction log that indicates which administrators have issued remote erase commands, in addition to the devices those commands pertained to

The Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync Web Administration Tool is designed for use With Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 and compatible mobile devices.

My friend and colleague, Jason Langridge, is going to be presenting a webcast on Tuesday 13th December on some of the myths that are around about Windows Mobile. I have had a preview of the presentation and there is some great messaging in there that you can pick up and share with your customers. I thoroughly recommend checking this webcast out. Jason has a great presentation style and it is likely to be great fun as well as informative.

Here's the official desctipion:

The term “myth” can be defined as “a widely held but false belief.” This webcast debunks the most common myths about the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform. Learn the truth about security, push e-mail, battery life, virus protection, Microsoft Office integration, management, and instant messaging support in Windows Mobile. Find out why Windows Mobile is an excellent platform for the mobile devices in your enterprise.

Presenter: Jason Langridge, Enterprise Mobility Solution Specialist, Microsoft Corporation

Jason Langridge is an enterprise mobility solution specialist in the Devices division at Microsoft, where he is responsible for business development of major enterprise accounts. Jason has been with the company since 1998, working to help enterprises to become more mobile, agile, and flexible so that they can achieve the next level of productivity.

Registration Link: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032285634&EventCategory=4&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

A couple of days ago a white paper sneaked on to microsoft.com without me noticing. It is a nice little overview of Exchange SP2 and MSFP, great for leaving with customers to give them a hint of some of the cool new things we can do with our mobile messaging solution.

Here is a link to the paper: http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/features/mobility/e2k3sp2.mspx

The official blurb:

This white paper examines how Microsoft responds to the evolving mobility needs of your business. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 communication and collaboration server with Service Pack 2 (SP2), and Windows Mobile 5.0 with the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) deliver an integrated, scalable, security-enhanced and cost-effective enterprise mobile messaging solution.

Included in this document:
• Introduction
• The Microsoft® Mobile Messaging Solution
• Mobile Devices Overview
• Exchange Server SP2 and Windows Mobile 5.0 MSFP Advances
• Meeting Enterprise Needs
• Customer Experiences
• Conclusion
• Related Links
 

For those who couldn't make it to the live webcast, the recording can be viewed here: https://www119.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/view?id=MB9CF5

Paul Flaherty did a great job explaining the ins and outs of troubleshooting Exchange Activesync. If you want to hear what Paul had to say, check out the link above.

Earlier this year we ran a very successful series of workshops on Exchange mobility. People have been busy beavering away behind the scenes and we have updated the course for all the great new functionality that is provided by Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 and the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0. Dates for this course have now been published and you can sign up via the link below.

Registration URL: www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/readiness/Exchange/CME2003

Course Description: The aim of this workshop is to demonstrate how Windows Server 2003 Exchange Server 2003 sp2, Windows Mobile Devices with Windows Mobile 5 & the Microsoft Security Feature Pack, can work together to provide a complete solution for mobile messaging and collaboration. After attending this workshop, the student should have a better understanding of the various components used to deliver a complete mobile solution without middleware and understand the technology used to deploy this in various customer scenarios.

Please note that this course is only for Partners in the Microsoft Partner Program.

We have now released Activesync 4.1. Download it from here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/downloads/activesync41.mspx

We are now all systems go with the MSPP Mobility competency. Check out the details here:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/program/competencies/mobilityprogram/40019083

"If your company designs, deploys, or customizes mobility solutions using Microsoft technologies, attaining the new Mobility Solutions Competency can aid you in promoting your skills to customers. Find out more about the benefits, requirements, training, and certification exams."

We are very keen to build a good community around our partners in the mobile arena in the UK, so if you are working with Windows Mobile check out the competency and the benefits that it can bring your business.

Don't forget to put time in your diary for the Webcast session next Monday on Troubleshoot Exchange ActiveSync. For more info and the link to the webcast see this post: https://blogs.technet.com/windowsmobile4partners/archive/2005/10/27/413152.aspx

For those of you who are in the Microsoft Partner Program, we have recently published an online course on Selling Messaging & Mobility. This is a great example of some of the fine benefits that are provided through our partner program, and anyone who isn't yet in the partner program should be keeping an eye out for the mobility competency that will be launched shortly. If you want to get the inside track on what's going on the world of Microsoft mobility and want access to great resources like this training course then I would recommend that you sign up for the competency when it goes live.

Here's the offical course description:

The online tutorial, Selling Messaging and Mobility, is developed for Microsoft Technology partners. The tutorial describes the importance of mobility solutions and the benefits of Microsoft mobility solution. It highlights the key features and competitive advantages of the Microsoft mobility solution. In addition, the course outlines two case studies where the Microsoft mobility solution has been implemented.

Here is the link to the course: https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/confirmation.aspx?publisher=3&courseid=1019

On Monday 21st November 4pm-5pm (UK time) we will be hosting a web cast on troubleshooting Exchange Activesync. The speaker will be Paul Flaherty, Support Specialist for Microsoft UK. He will be covering off some of the most common support issues around Exchange Activesync and techniques and tips for delving deeper into problem solving in EAS. Paul will also be covering off how to troubleshoot some of the new features of Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2.

You will be able to join the webcast on 21st November via this link: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/join?id=MB9CF5&role=attend&pw=hh%5DGD8HQq

It's totally off topic, but I thought this was interesting:

Reading - UK - 20 October 2005 - Microsoft UK and Wembley National Stadium Ltd have today announced that Microsoft has become Wembley Stadium's first Founding Partner.

The 90,000-seat venue will be the biggest and most sophisticated stadium in the world, when it opens next year. As Wembley Stadium's first Founding Partner, Microsoft UK will support the Stadium in its final stage of construction and for the first four years of its operational life.

Nick Barley, Business & Marketing Officer at Microsoft UK, explained:

"Microsoft believes in helping people to achieve their potential. Wembley Stadium plays a unique role in British life it's a national icon that has inspired generation after generation of young people with the dream of playing and performing at Wembley. By becoming Wembley Stadium's first Founding Partner, we are helping to ensure that dream continues."

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/press/content/presscentre/releases/2005/10/PR03529.asp

Now imagine the referee running around the pitch with a little wireless Pocket PC in his to pocket, being able to call up video clips from various angles and photos of incidents.... Now how about tagging the players and using real time tracking to help with off-side decisions... :-)

Coming up on the 16th December we are hosting an event at Microsoft HQ on the Mobile Opportunity. The event is open to our Partners and is 100% subsidised. If you want to find out more about the latest happenings in the Windows Mobile space and how you can take that to your customers, do come along to meet us.

Here is the blurb from the web:

We'll cover how mobility fits within the Microsoft vision, the Windows Mobile device platform including Exchange SP2 and Windows Mobile 5 features, selecting a device, security, systems management and mobile application scenarios. During the day we’ll demonstrate Exchange 2003 with Exchange Active Sync, CRM mobile and SQL based mobile solutions. You will see the latest mobile devices such as the i-Mate K-Jam (new Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone Edition with integrated WiFi and keyboard).

We'll also showcase a range of killer applications for mobile devices such as live GPS tracking, field force enablement and more.

The link to book on to the event is here:   www.microsoft.com/uk/partner/readiness/opportunity/mobility

Last week we hosted a webcast on Mobilising Small Business Server. Scott Millar of Exactive shared some of his experiences with Windows Mobile and SBS2003 and some of the key messages that he takes to his customers. If you want to check out the webcast, the recording is here: https://www119.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft/view?id=47NFCH

My thanks to Scott for taking part and thank you to those who attended the live webcast.

They powered the Gumballers across Europe and now the boys over at ALK have been busy updating CoPilot and have announced the arrival of v6. I *love* this application as it just works - it's easy and powerful and if you're a business, you will love the Live element that allows you to track units in the field. Check out the business solutions site from ALK where they highlight their recent partnership with TBS

Our partner in crime,Jason Langridge, has just posted a great piece on a paper by IDC outlining the benefits of Microsoft Mobile Messaging solution.

The headlines were that companies implementing Microsoft Mobile based solutions:

• Paid back the cost of implementation in 4.3 months
• The one-year return on investment (ROI) of implementing the mobile solution was 129

Well it made me laugh

If you're a developer you may want to check out the Visual Studio hosted labs - a great way to learn more about VS2005

Today we have released Service Pack 2 for Exchange Server 2003 to the web, including the new Direct Push Technology. To get more information and download the service pack check out this link: http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/downloads/2003/sp2/download.mspx

To find out more information about device compatibility with Exchange Server 2003 have a look at this link: http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/features/owa_mobile.mspx

Please note you will need the Messaging & Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5 devices to enable this functionality on the device side. Check with your device OEM or mobile operator for more information about when they will have this tested and available.

Great news for Microsoft Partners working with Exchange - we now have a Hand on Lab (HOL) available on the Microsoft Partner Program site. As many of you will know, SP2 for Exchange is shipping soon (very soon!) so now is a great time to get fully up to speed on how this mobility features work and how to administer them. The Community Tech Preview of SP2 didn't include device wipe but these labs do so well worth checking out.

Enjoy and remember the mobility competency launches very soon so get yourself ready for that be checking out the requirements!

A week in and I'm loving this phone. The HTC guys have done a stunning job on the design and finish of the unit - it really looks like a well polished product and will stand out from the crowd. Although marginally bigger than my previous SP3 (C500) and SP3i units it's worth in in terms of the keypad which is comfortable and the joystick seems solid so far. The killer feature remains the WiFi inclusion and all of my colleagues in Microsoft have "oohed" and "aahed" when a press the little button on the top right that allow you to quickly enable wireless. It has a good set of config options for WiFi including 802.1x support which means I was finally able (when i found the time) to get this on to our corporate network today with certificates enrolled.

As it comes from iMate, the eTrust client is also installed and downloading the new signatures over WiFi is a breeze. The camera is pretty solid too though if I was being picky I'd say it would benefit from a flash but that's a minor detail on an otherwise excellent unit. The acid test was showing it last night to the MD of Doherty IT Solutions who was very impressed and now has one on order.

Hopefully this blog is proving useful to some of our partners out there (let us know if not). We decided to use a blog instead of the bi-montly Windows Mobile kitbag we were previously issuing as a blog allows you to opt in rather than us indiscriminately send you email. It also allows a better drip "feed" of information in an area that is pretty fast moving.

Blogging is somethign Microsoft has really taken to in a big way and employees are encouraged to share their views and thoughts and in that spirit king of the bloggers, Robert Scoble, has an upcoming Technet webcast to introduce you to this rapidly growing and evolving technology. There is also a great intro from the BBC

Regular readers will be well aware that we're about to launch our Mobility Competency as a new competency within the Microsoft Partner Program. We'll be hosting a Live Meeting on November 2nd to discuss the MSPP 2006 and the new competenices. Worth checking out to find out about the new stuff