I am traveling internationally this week. For the most part the trip has been great except for some difficulty in connecting to the internet.  For some, that is not a big deal, but I have a serious ‘connection’ dependency. I feel this need to be connected most of the time. I wish it was easier to connect when traveling internationally. In the U.S., it is so easy to connect. If I cannot find a WIFI hotspot, or when hotel cost are excessive, I connect using a Verizon USB modem. Unfortunately, that device only works in the U.S.

Last month, while on a similar trip, I purchased a subscription to Boingo Mobile WIFI.  I figured that at least I would be able to connect with my iPhone. I like the service, but was surprised to learn that the mobile service does not work at that location. When I called, I was told that the full ‘Global’ service works at that location, but the mobile service is not supported.  Of course, there is a big price difference – $59 / month vs $7.95.

Given the limited options, I decided to try the Global service. The results: It was spotty. I could not login for hours at a time. Very frustrating. I don’t think the service is that bad everywhere, but I really don’t know. I am not sure I will ever know asi I will likely close my account. I will be looking at other options before my next trip – which is very soon!

I still get my connection fix — I connect at the office and at restaurants and other businesses.  
 
Rick

It’s gadget time. Yes, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) is in full swing in Barcelona. Smartphones are certainly a product category to watch, and HTC is making news with the announcement of two new Android based phones: The HTC Legend and the HTC Desire. According to the press release, these “two new smartphones take Android to the next level …”.  Both devices incorporate “HTC Sense” to make the phones work in a more “simple and natural way”. Well, you can read the rest in the press release.

What is more interesting to me is another announcement from HTC: They will soon deliver a portfolio of Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series phones.  CEO Peter Chou was quoted in the press release:

“Windows Phone 7 Series is a significant milestone for Microsoft, the industry and ultimately people looking to do more on their phones.  HTC is working closely with Microsoft to bring the unique HTC experience that customers love, [...] Microsoft has clearly listened to feedback from people and brought a new, fresh approach to the smartphone experience that is beautiful, powerful and compelling.”

I am not going to dive into the specifications, you can read them in these press releases or for a bit more, check out this Fast Company article. What interest me is most is the future of Microsofts mobile OS. Can this mobile operating system survive? Will Windows phone 7 make a difference? 

Before making any comments, take a look at the feature overview in this video .. not bad: 

A look at market data reveals some depressing results. In November, ZDNet reported that Windows Mobile lost 28 percent of it’s smartphone market share between the third quarter of 2008 (11%) and the the third quarter of 2009 (7.9%). Neither number is impressive, but that slide is significant. It would seem that this new version is very important if Microsoft is going to continue to play in this market. 

I have not tried a device with this operating systems. I don’t know where, but I read at least one report that did not give it high marks – but it’s early. Personally, I do not see this taking share from Apple or Android based phones. I think it’s a slow downhill slide for Microsoft.

What do you think?

Rick

I have read reports and heard from friends that users of iPhones attending CES experienced problems accessing email and other data services during the show in Las Vegas. I wish I had access to information on the volume of data traffic for various providers in the Vegas area during the show.  Given the density of ‘tech types’ in such a small area, it had to be intense.

Clearly AT&T has a challenge, but I tend to think the issue will spread to other providers as the use of data-hungry devices increases for all providers.  As an example, we do know that when T-Mobile released the G1 last fall, they attempted to cap data usage, but since backed down. Watch for more on this in the coming months. We will likely see network issues due to heavy data demand and news of significant spending on new, beefed up infrastructure. I don’t think this will be just an AT&T phenomenon, although their competition would like to color it that way. 

Rick

I read a interesting InformationWeek article today regarding user reaction to recent outages of Research in Motion’s BlackBerry email service. In case you missed it, the service was down not once, but twice in as many weeks!

This story reminds me of AT&T’s ongoing network problems. Earlier this month, Mashable reported that AT&T Mobility CEO Ralf de la Vega “candidly admit[ed] that wireless coverage in Manhattan and San Francisco is … subpar.”  There was another report on Mashable yesterday regarding efforts to limit iPhone sales in the New York area as an attempt to limit strain on the network. 

You have to wonder if both AT&T and BlackBerry have underestimated user demand for services. This is clearly a customer satisfactions issue that could cost both significant revenue. If the iPhone was available on the Verizon network … well, you know what would happen. Of course, I am not sure that the Verizon network could sustain the extra demand. They better all ramp up their infrastructure because data requirements are only going to increase! 

Rick

BTW, I  have used a Blackberry for about 8 years. For the past few months I have also been a iPhone user. (I have a Storm for work, and an iPhone for personal use).  Having a device on both the Verizon and AT&T network allows me to compare the two. There is no question that I get better coverage on the Verizon network. The iPhone appears to be faster when accessing data (that is just my observation).