Here is the Palm Pre Device I mention earlier today on the Road Warrior Show. It really is a slick device. It brings the best of both worlds of touch screen gestures with a physical QWERTY keyboard. It looks like it comes with a charging pad similar to the Powermat which I will publish in a follow up post.

Above is the demo at the 2009 CES show. It will be rolling out from Sprint. As always, Sprint came last in coming into the game with a really slick touchscreen device. While Sprint has a chance to really get all the nuances I really like, I have adopted the iPhone platform already (still using Blacbkerry to a large degree & occasional Windows Mobile). It even more inportant I am already on 2 different carriers. It will take Sprint giving me the device to switch and then some. I have too much invested in my other devices and apps.

With that being said, what I really like is the additional QWERTY slide out tactile keyboard, customization of the screen, & curve shaped to form to your face.

Here are some quick specs for you.

-3.1-inch touchscreen
-Slide-out QWERTY keypad
-CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Rev. A
-GPS
-Wi-Fi
-3-megapixel camera
-8 GB memory
-Replaceable battery
-4.8 ounces

Check out this great keyboard accessory!

�Best of all its now Bluetooth capable. It actually sprays out a laser keyboard. It reads the light breaks as you type. Its much easier to use than some of the older fold out keyboards and you don’t have to worry about comfort.

�Ease:� 9

Comfort: 9 Price: 4It’s a little pricy at around $179-$199

Drawbacks are few. Just need a flat surface. It is compatible with Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and Palm OS and even a few Smart cell phones.

Wireless Warrior

 vs

I have a lot of folks asking how the new iPhone matches up with a Blackberry. Recently, I did an interview with Rob Fouts of AskASalesQuestion.com. (Click here for the interview)��

Wireless Warrior

After only a week of the iPhone being out, CompanionLink has already developed a sync software for it. This will allow you to sync your contacts and calendar with a slew of different CRM apps including:

·                           ACT! by Sage
·                           GoldMine
·                           Lotus Notes
·                           Google Apps
·                           Google Calendar
·                           Novell GroupWise
·                           Palm Desktop
·                           Time & Chaos
Requirements
iTunes 7.3 & Outlook 2003 or higher
Price
CompanionLink Express - $49.99
CompanionLink Pro - $99.99
If you want to wirelessly sync and be able to sync your notes as well, get the Pro version.
More to come later.
Wireless Warrior

The Blackberry 8300, better known as the Curve, is the latest and hottest Blackberry out. i had a chance to get my hands on one this past week. Its a great new design. It’s the smallest & lightest of the Blackberry with a full QWERTY keyboard.

Whats New

It’s smaller, lighter and has a 2.0 MP camera. in addition, it now has comprehensive media support (WMA, WMV, and H.263 all make the cut), stereo Bluetooth, a true 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD expansion for if you exhaust your 64MB of internal ROM

Design

It’s a sleek sexy design. Its corners are curvy, hence the name and has a great shiny silver color. It’s more narrow and shorter than the 8800 Pearl.

What’s Missing

Still absent is the integrated Wi-Fi or 3G support. Also, the device’s camera still doesn’t have video-recording capabilities.

The biggest thing though for me, no internal GPS receiver like the 8800. While i love the Curve, This would have made it the perfect all in one device for me. While you still can use the an external GPS receiver (”puck”), it’s not as convenient on the fly. Especially, if you are in another city, you may often want to leave your puck in the car. This is the only thing holding me back to switching because I am on the road so much and rely on the GPS using Telenav.

Price

Pretty reasonable @ $199.99 after $50 mail-in-rebate on a 2 year agreement, from the New AT&T.

Bottom line

If you do not rely heavy on GPS, or maybe you have one on your vehicle already, this device is awesome. Great resolution, easy navigation and have I mention light and sleek yet? Best feeling Blackberry I have put in my hands with a full QWERTY keyboard. The roller ball navigation is great too.

Wireless Warrior

Look for the next review on the HTC Touch running Windows Mobile 6.0

I have a number of clients, Realtors in particular, who feel locked into Palm devices because of the amount of Palm Apps they have invested in.

Finally, I found a software called Styletap (http://www.styletap.com/) which will allow you to run your previous Palm Apps on both Windows Mobile or Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphones.
Pros
·          Allows you to keep your Palm Apps you have invested in over the years
·          Reasonably sized file at 1.2MB file download
·          Even works on popular Smartphones without the touchscreen like the popular Samsung Blackjack
Cons
·          May be a little trickier to use on Smartphone devices or non-touch screen devices
·          Some icons appear differently on Windows device
·          Some progras may not run perfectly… and some NOT at all. Remember you are trying to make something work in a different platform
Price
$50
Bottom line
If you want to convert to Windows Mobile and keep your Palm Apps, it’s a great option. Use the trial version first and make sure you like it. If the apps you need works, it’s a great buy.
Wireless Warrior

Folks often ask me what I use, particularly when it comes to Bluetooth headset. I have been using the  Jawbone as of late. I drive a lot and have a lot of cock pit noise. Previously, I had complaints while I am in my car. They ask “are you in a wind tunnel?”

Now with the Jawbone and its noise shield, all the background noise is eliminated! I can have music, or other noise in the background and the person I am talking to never even hears it.

It will not take direct wind though. If you are outside and its gusty, it will still sound like you are in a tornado. Still pretty amazing though.

Check out the demo video.

Not crazy about the comfort though. They do give you various ear loops and ear buds. I am just not an “ear plug” guy. Granted I hear a whole lot better. I just may have small ear canals.
Here is what I think from a scale of 1-1-(10 being the highest) Sound quality: 9.5
I hear well and the person on other end hears great! Outside wind holding it back from a 10

Comfort: 6
After a couple hours I have to take it out of my ear. With the Motorola HS700, I could wear it all day.

Battery life: 8
They say about 6 hours talk time and 120 standby. I get about 6 hours talk. Who really actually counts standby?

Design: 7
Design is OK. Its rather light weight. Some people say its neat looking and some say it looks to big. Women I found in particular do not like the design.

Durability: 5
I have broken several pieces off it. I can always snap it back, but it always feel looser than before.

What I would change:
I wish they would use a mini USB charging port. They have a 4 prong connection which I don’t like at all. It is often difficult to unplug. I would change the rubber earpiece to something softer or an external ear speaker.
Bottom line: I have to have it because I am in my car so much. If I didn’t have the Jawbone, no one would want to speak to me while in my car with all the road noise.
Wireless Warrior

Do you want more realistic surfing on your phone?

Opera mini offers a more web like experience than your old WAP (Web Access Protocol). Opera optimizes and renders quickly. It is compatible with just about any current model phones.
                                            

I will spare you all the  technical jargon and explanation. Bottom line you will like it better. See for yourself @ http://www.operamini.com/demo/

What I love… you can download over the air. You can do it traditionally via your PC, but then, that is not the Wireless Warrior way. Best part? Its FREE!

Negatives…still tough to read some sites and will take you a click more.
Overall though, it makes it worth it to surf via cell phone.