Johann's Unified Communications : mobility

Microsoft and Nokia Form Global Alliance to Design, Develop and Market Mobile Productivity Solutions

jkruse — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:43:51 GMT

This is huge… Microsoft and Nokia will begin collaborating immediately on the design, development and marketing of productivity solutions for the mobile professional, bringing Microsoft Office Mobile and Microsoft business communications, collaboration and device management software to Nokia’s Symbian devices.

This announcement builds on the existing work Nokia is doing by optimizing access to e-mail and other personal information with Exchange ActiveSync. Next year, Nokia intends to start shipping Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on its smartphones, followed by other Office applications and related software and services in the future. These will include:

• The ability to view, edit, create and share Office documents on more devices in more places with mobile-optimized versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft OneNote

• Enterprise instant messaging and presence, and optimized conferencing and collaboration experience with Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile

• Mobile access to intranet and extranet portals built on Microsoft SharePoint Server

• Enterprise device management with Microsoft System Center

Read the press release at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/aug09/08-12pixipr.mspx

Click-to-join conference in CoMo

jkruse — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:41:00 GMT

We have released an update to Communicator Mobile that introduces some new capabilities, the best of which IMHO is “click-to-join” for OCS R2 conferencing (i.e. audio conferences and LiveMeetings). There is no longer any need to dial the # and look up & enter conference IDs and PINs – now you can just choose “Join Conference” from your mobile calendar and OCS will call you back and sign you into the conference.

Issues that this hotfix package fixes

Homescreen support for new homescreens in Windows Mobile 6.5+ phones.

Integration within the phone dialer for Windows Mobile 6.5+ phones.

Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 now recognizes when the phone is roaming, and by default does not sign in to roaming networks.

Additional support for joining conference calls from a Windows Mobile appointment. To do this, press Menu, and then press Join Conference.

Enables users to log on with a username of the format user@example.com, in addition to domain\user.

When placing Call via Work calls, callbacks are now automatically accepted.

Microsoft Installer (MSI) installation on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) fails. In this situation, users should install Communicator Mobile 2007 R2 by using a .Cab installation.

AT&T FUZE devices set for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) connection cannot handle voice and data at the same time. This causes Call via Work calls to fail unless the device is reverted to 3rd Generation (3G) by disabling HSDPA.

More information and download at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969816

Download Communicator Mobile Clients Directly To Your Cell Phone

jkruse — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:37:00 GMT

If you are running OCS 2007 R2 you can now download Communicator Mobile clients (for Windows Mobile and Java enabled devices) directly from you cell phone. Simply go to www.getcomo.com and select the right version of the client.

The Office

jkruse — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:19:36 GMT

This is why mobile Unified Communications & collaboration can help your business have happier, more productive employees; and retain them longer.

Doing my Mid-Year Career Discussion preparation this morning – in peace & quiet, and without the interruptions, conversations, and “let’s-get-a-coffee”s of being in the office. I start work earlier, I don’t get stuck in traffic, and I get more done!

I don’t need a VPN, I don’t need any special software or hardware… it just works.

Jabra Dial 520

jkruse — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:57:33 GMT

Jabra have recently announced a few new products for Office Communicator – the M5390 headset and the Dial 520 OC handset.

I’ve managed to get my hands on the Dial 520 handset, and am happy to say that it is now my preferred device for softphone calling when in my “mobile office” (i.e. anywhere I’m working for >1 hour). It’s a USB device is small and simple to use, and doesn’t require drivers (tested on Windows 7 and Vista).

“Optimised for Microsoft Office Communicator”

Nice and small

It automatically integrates with Office Communicator (e.g. dial buttons, answer/hang-up buttons, LCD display) and gives really good quality audio for such a simple device.

So with the GN9350 in my home-office, the BT530 on-the-road, and now the Dial 520 when semi-mobile, I’ve got a pretty good road-warrior setup for UC and collaboration. (I’m not paid or sponsored by Jabra, I just like their hardware and it fully integrates with OC)

Exchange Activesync protocols now open

jkruse — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:00:12 GMT

A further sign of Microsoft’s commitment towards being more open is that the protocols for Exchange Activesync (EAS) have now been published to the public (previously they were only available to licensees).

EAS is already built into pretty much every major smartphone/PDA out there – but now that it is open I’m sure we will see some innovative and creative apps/tools from the developer community.

Documentation of the EAS protocols is available at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc307725.aspx

From the press release:

REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 18, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it is expanding its Exchange ActiveSync Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing program, facilitated by Version 1.0 releases of technical documentation for protocols built into Exchange ActiveSync, which Microsoft posted on the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) earlier this month. The posting of this documentation completes the set of Exchange ActiveSync protocols Microsoft committed to publish as part of its Interoperability Principles announced in February 2008 (http://www.microsoft.com/interop/principles/default.mspx).

“The Exchange ActiveSync IP Licensing program is another example of how we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to increased openness and collaboration,” said Horacio Gutierrez, vice president of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. “This technology is being sought out by our partners and competitors alike because it enhances their value proposition to their customers, and we believe that to be a testament to the innovation taking place at Microsoft.”

OCS VoIP in a disaster zone

jkruse — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 06:56:22 GMT

Massive storms in Brisbane recently left many people homeless, and in fact it was declared a disaster zone.

One of the people who had their home destroyed in this storm was my mate Bill Lockett from Dimension Data. Our best wishes and thoughts are with him and his family during this time as they rebuild.

Bill’s house lost all power and landline communications, but fortunately Telstra’s NextG network was still online.

Bill was able to use a generator to power his laptop, and with a Polycom CX200 USB handset (which in fact he had to dry out as it was in an inch of water) and Office Communicator 2007 he was still fully able to use his work phone. No special hardware, software, or VPN required. Microsoft’s adaptive RTAudio codec ensured that call quality was excellent, despite the conditions.

Nice one Bill :)

Communicator Mobile 2007 R2

jkruse — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:40:39 GMT

At the Office Communicator Team blog we’ve just released information on the soon-to-be-released Communicator Mobile (aka CoMo) R2 client.

Those who have used CoMo 2007 will be happy to know that we have made huge improvements in data consumption and battery life with R2 – In fact I now have the client permanently signed in on my HTC Touch Diamond, and I don’t notice a difference in battery life at all!

It also includes Single Number Reach allowing you to place calls originated from your company phone on your mobile device.

There will also be a client available for Java devices (e.g. Nokia, Motorola Razr).

Mobile UC with the HTC Shift

jkruse — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:17:00 GMT

I've just posted my thoughts on the HTC Shift to the Windows Mobile Australia blog.

Toy? Tool? Maybe a bit of both :)

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Talking Smack!

jkruse — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:40:00 GMT

Yesterday I caught up with Roger Lawrence and Rick Anderson and we recorded a video discussion about Mobility Smackdown!, one of the most popular sessions at TechEd Australia.

Hear about the history of Smackdown! as well as what's planned for this year. It's going to be massive - demo-offs, competitions, prizes, and best of all no Death-by-PowerPoint!!!!

Video: TechEd 2008: Smackdown! discussion

Smackdown always fills up, and although this year we've secured one of the largest theatres we still expect it to be full. In the lead-up to TechEd keep an eye out here and at Roger's blog for information on how to secure preferred seating!

And of course stay tuned for more information on UC and Mobility at TechEd in Australia & New Zealand.

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Technorati Tags: TechEd2008ANZ,TechEd Australia,mobility,smackdown,video,vodcast,Tech.Ed,TechEd

Windows Mobile 6.1 - my favourite bits

jkruse — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:52:31 GMT

I've been playing with Windows Mobile 6.1 for the last few days, so thought I'd share some of my favourite features.

Today screen - minus Exchange E-mail/calendar (see below)

About

Exchange Auto-discover

Now there's no need to know your CAS server URL - all you need is your email address/password, and Windows Mobile will use the Exchange auto-discover service to automatically provision your device for push email/calendar/tasks/security.

Type your email address and password

Choose what you want to sync from Exchange

Done! Notice the Outlook E-Mail and calendar appointments

Task Manager

For those memory-intensive or hung apps - there is now a proper Task Manager to view/kill.

System Settings

Task Manager

Domain Enroll

Make your device an AD domain member for device management/security.

Connections screen

Similar to Auto-discover - enter your email/password

(I'm not connected to the corporate network right now hence I didn't actually enroll my device)

[UPDATE]

Threaded txt

Office Mobile

Yeah this has been there for a while, but it now supports Office 2007 file formats out-of-the-box.

Once I get the right adapter for VGA output from my phone - I'm aiming to do customer presentations from my phone :)

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Technorati Tags: wm6.1, windows mobile, screenshots, wm6

Windows Mobility Smackdown at TechReady 6

jkruse — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:56:28 GMT

Every 6 months, Microsoft holds an internal-only conference called TechReady for our technical team in the field. It's an amazing convergence of people from all over the world coming together to learn about our technologies directly from the product teams as well as to give feedback about what customers are saying. In fact, it is not uncommon to see a product manager and a technology specialist getting into a heated debate about what's working, what's not, and where things should go in the future.

Well Channel 8 has recorded this madness and put the video online at http://channel8.msdn.com/Posts/3768/

The Mobility Pirates - Mobility Smackdown, TechEd 2007 at the Gold Coast

Those of you have come to the last few Australian TechEds know that we also run a Mobility Smackdown session which is of course very popular - in fact last year it was the highest rated session of the whole event!

The Mobility Smackdown will of course be back at TechEd this year - in fact I am meeting with Rick Anderson and Rog42 later today to begin planning!

Make sure you arrive early - it always fills up. Aaaaarrrrrrrr!

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Windows Mobile technical library - now at TechNet

jkruse — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:48:00 GMT

Finally, Windows Mobile has been added to the TechNet technical library.

In-depth technical information on Deployment, Operations and Security for Windows Mobile 5 and 6.

Check it out, and bookmark it - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc182292.aspx

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Technorati Tags: mobility, wm5, wm6, technet, doco, deployment, planning

Work from Byron Bay for a week

jkruse — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:48:03 GMT

From Rog42's blog...

i-mate’s Ultimate experience – call for applicants

i-mate Australia is running an online experience to help launch their new Ultimate range and provide a comprehensive view of the features and capabilities of these new products.

On the 31st March five people will be sent to a beautiful Byron Bay villa to work remotely for five days with the i-mate Ultimate 9502 & 8502. We will be filming their experiences and posting this with Blog diaries on the Ultimate Escape web page.

The five participants will experience the benefits of working out of the office, in a very pleasant environment.

What’s in it for the participants?

1.       Receive an i-mate ultimate 9502 or 8502.
2.       Spend 5 days working in a beautiful Byron Bay villa
3.       Work with likeminded people
4.       Promote yourself and/or your business through the Ultimate Escape web site
5.       Make a difference by showing that work is something you do, not a place you go.

To enter simply email apply@theultimateescape.com with details, links, resume, projects, videos, photos or anything else to convince us you’re the right person for the job.

The Ultimate Escape will be hosted by technology evangelist Alex Zaharov-Reutt

For more information about this exciting adventure, please visit www.theultimateescape.com

*Note: This promotion is not a Microsoft activity. Whilst the technology used on the i-mate Ultimate range of phones is Windows Mobile 6, no activities, opinions, monies, or prizes are provided by Microsoft. If you do decide to enter, please understand that you will be working directly with i-mate Australia.

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Technorati Tags: imate, competition, byron bay, mobility

Exchange Activesync on the iPhone

jkruse — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:51:00 GMT

Personally I have mixed feelings about the iPhone - it is an awesome device to play with, but in my opinion it has seriously lacked in a few key areas: the touch keyboard sucks for writing long emails, there was no Exchange support, it doesn't play Windows Media, and of course it's not 3G. (I'm hanging out for one of these babies from i-mate!)

Anyway - one of these has been fixed - great news for iPhone users is that Apple have licensed and built Exchange Activesync into the iPhone.

Love the old-fashioned BlackBerry NOC-based architecture - yay for EAS :)

This means that soon you will be able to get...

Push email
Calendar
Outlook contacts
GAL look-up
Enforced security policies
Remote wipe

...on your iPhone!

Read the announcement from Terry Myerson, and coverage at ZDNet, APC & Engadget.

(images lifted from ZDNet and Engadget)

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