And less than 5 minutes later (and I’m NOT kidding), here’s a link to FlexiSpy.
It’s an interesting world we live in folks.
Laterz.
That Didn’t Take Long
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Monthly Archives: July 2007
How Secure Do You Think Your Communications Are?
My IT friends and I have had many conversations about how naïve most folks are when it comes to how insecure everyday communications are. It’s extremely rare we find someone at work, outside of our profession, who immediately understands that mobile communications are often w-i-d-e open. Truth be told, we’ve even come across some IT professionals who didn’t get it until it started appearing in the newspapers in Sweden. [For some, it's not true until it's in the newspaper.] This mindset is no respecter of positions either. It affects everyone from the top down. But such is the case for many organizations.
I’ve recently come across an old story that’s an excellent example of the price to be paid for such a mindset. The story is sometimes referred to as “The Athens Affair”. This particular link provides a lot of details, but it’s definitely worth giving a good read if you have the time. If you’re responsible for any sort of network, then you should read it. For those of you who simply want a synopsis, this Wikipedia version should do you just fine.
Stories like the one above make me all the more hungry for a Skype solution for my N95. Skype’s constant attention to security is what folks like me want. Yeah, I know the person on the other end of my calls will need to be a Skype user as well. That’s fine. My wife and daughter are already Skype users, and they rate the highest as far as who I’m likely to contact. Nevertheless, once I show folks a little of what Skype does, they seriously consider giving it a shot. And I usually show them just the tip of the iceberg.
For example, I’ve recently gone to Skype Pro. Some of the benefits of Skype Pro are:
- local calls are free (outside of the US, this matters!)
- I can transfer calls to my contacts, if needed
- free Skype voicemail
- I get to make International calls at local rates using my mobile with Skype To Go
Those are some pretty nice deals. The Skype to Go deal is very nice. In plain language, this allows me to call my Mom and Dad, in the US, via my mobile, from anywhere in Sweden, and get charged a local call, which is pretty reasonable. That’s nice. I like reasonable. 
Anywho…
Getting back to security, I wonder what it takes for some folks to really understand the value of security and mobile phones. I’m a firm believer in not scaring someone into good practices, but all too often I’ve seen cases where folks had to learn by the burn. Most of us every types seem to believe, for the most part, that it simply won’t happen to us, “Sure it can happen to high-ranking government officials, terrorist leaders, and the Paris Hiltons of the world, but never me.” If you’re one of those, think again. Mobile phones use networks that are as open as you think. I’m one who believes that talking on a mobile phone is about as secure as sending an unencrypted e-mail. And now that we have even more sophisticated mobile technology like Bluetooth, infrared and the like, things simply get more interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised if the possibility now exists to hack your mobile phone you camera if you have one. Hmm… Now that’s interesting!
Time for me to do a little digging around on this. I’ll let you know what I find.
Laterz.
Outside of GPS Possibilities, Skype’s the Best Thing Available for the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet
I’ve had my hands on a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet since Saturday, and I’m trying to find good way to describe it. By now you should know I’m a fan of Nokia products. Nevertheless, every now and again any company you like is bound to cause you to scratch your head. Such is the case with the N800.
After using the N800 for a bit, I find myself constantly asking, “Why? Why did they create this thing?” Maybe I’m missing something. After all, I’m a person who never did understand all the excitement surrounding “Twitter”. But I can’t even grasp the N800′s raison d’être. Surely by now everyone who knows anything about Nokia can’t be surprised they could make such a device as this. They have the talent. They have talent aplenty. However, why they wanted to escapes me.
The N800 is pretty much as its name states, an Internet Tablet. When I connected it to my ADSL connection (24 Mbps. Hey, I live in Sweden!) via WiFi, the connection worked like a charm. While I couldn’t find anything on Nokia’s UK site’s tech specs page for the N800 regarding the encryption protocols it uses, it obviously supports WPA or it wouldn’t have been able to join my network.
Connecting itself was a piece of cake. I simply clicked on the globe icon in the upper menu bar, and the “Select connection” option appeared. Once I clicked that, a list of networks (Oh my! Some of my neighbors never learn) was available. I then selected my network, typed in the appropriate password, the connection was established, and the globe icon turned into an icon of an active beacon/transmitter. Disconnecting was even easier. I simply clicked on the active beacon/transmitter icon, selected the “Disconnect” choice, confirmed by clicking “OK”, and that was that.
The Opera 8 web browser with Flash player 7 was just as good as I’d heard about. Suffice it to say, the Opera folks know what they’re doing when it comes to making web browsers for mobile devices. They haven’t survived this long for nothing.
The sound on the N800 is really impressive. I mean impressive to the point where I was a bit stunned. Nokia definitely earned the right to call the speakers “high quality speakers”. Even my wife commented on just how good the sound was. Seeing as it has space for a 2Gb micro SD card, using it as a portable mp3 player is more than possible; nevertheless, it’s by no means a threat to my much-preferred iPod Video with 80Gb of room.
From time-to-time Nokia seems, at least to me, to have a sense of humor regarding where they place the power buttons and how they actually function. For example, I remember having to hold down the power button on the 3510i no less than 10 seconds to turn the phone on. Then there are the occasional devices like the N800 where you have to search high and low simply to find the power button. It’s tiny, and I mean teeny-tiny. Now, I understand those clever engineers are probably trying to avoid users accidentally turning it off during mid-surf, but they have to bear in mind a lot of folks first have to turn it on! And, yes, I know there’s a user’s manual, but how many folks do you know who actually read the manual first before cranking up a new Nokia? I didn’t think so. 
Initially, I was going to complain about the stylus pen that’s offered. But after using the touch screen without it rather successfully, I have nothing to complain about. The on-screen full keyboard is a bit small for my fingers, but I’m going to see how things go the rest of the week.
The absolute best part of my N800 experience was the chance to use Skype on a mobile device. I often wondered what the experience would be like, and this was my chance. Seeing as Skype was already installed on the device, I only had a chance to go to Nokia’s site to review what the process would be like. It seemed just as cut and dry as most install processes:
- download the app to the device either by first downloading the package to your computer and then transferring the package to the device via cable
- or connect the device to a WiFi network and then download the device directly to it
- double-click the .sisx file for install
Since I’ve been a member of Skype for over half a year now, all I needed to do was login to access my “Contacts” information, including, of course, phone numbers so I could make a couple of Skype calls. It was just as easy as I was accustomed to when I make calls using Skype on my MacBook Pro:
- I select the contact I want to call by giving the name on the screen one tap with the stylus pen
- Tap on on either “Call” or “Chat” depending on what I want to communicate with whoever I’m contacting
It was literally that simple.
The Skype package made for the N800 is as very intuitive, as it should be. Once you’re logged in, three main tabs are offered in the top left portion of the screen: 1) Contacts 2) Call phones – for calling numbers not listed in your Contacts list 3) History – for a history of the calls you’ve made.
Under the default N800 menu in the top right of the screen there are also the staple tabs for “Change Status”, “Edit Mood Msg”, as well as a listing of how much Skype credit you have left on your account, although you can’t click on this one as you can in the full Skype package that’s also a link to Skype Services.
I read no instructions at all, and was, as you can imagine, able to login and make phone calls immediately. Seeing as my Skype contact info was already online waiting for me, it was just a matter of selecting someone and giving them a call. I gave one friend a quick call, failing to remember he was at work of course [sorry Micke, but I am on vacation at the moment ]. I then decided to go outside of my list and make a call to our intern in the office, KenJo. As interns go, this kid’s top shelf. He’s smart, a quick learn, with a great sense of humor. His only down fault is he’s a Boston Red Sox fan (can you tell I’m a New York Yankees fan? lol). I told KenJo what I was up to and he let me know I was coming in crystal clear. We spoke for about two or three minutes about work and, you guessed it, baseball, and I was satisfied that I had made a pretty much normal phone call.
All that said, I can’t help but wonder why Skype hasn’t come out with a mobile version of its app for the N95 yet?!? Playing with the N800 has confirmed my suspicion that they have the know-how to create a mobile package that more than does the job. If I had a mobile version of Skype app on my N95, I’d be one happy telephone technician! In the meantime, I’m stuck with having to activate “Call Forwarding” in Skype before leaving home each time. Quite honestly, that’s only about three clicks, but it’s the times I forget that are a bit annoying. So if one of you brilliant creative Skype types are reading this out there, throw us N95 users a bone by offering us an N95 version of Skype.
I’ve rambled on enough for now. It’s a beautiful day in Stockholm and I hear the bad weather from the UK is headed our way this weekend. That means it’s time to make way back to the Italian Restaurant that Da Minx is anxious to return to.
May God bless and keep you all. Laterz.
Apple Shares Fall More Than 6 Percent on iPhone Numbers
There are some things in life one is bound to learn unless they choose to foolishly ignore them:
1) There really are two sides to every story. Sometimes more. (This is especially the case in politics)
2) Anyone who says all truth is relative needs to be asked if they truly believe that
3) The older you get, the more you appreciate patience, despite, ironically, your years flying by at a seemingly faster pace
4) You can’t humiliate a truly humble person
5) While the press likes to write about doom and gloom, they rarely write follow-up articles on how wrong their earlier doom and gloom articles were
6) Beauty really is only skin deep
7) Statistics can often be made to say what one wants
8) There’s always someone smarter than you, so honesty really is the best policy
Okay. Some of those have little or nothing to do with the point of this blog entry, but I just had to get them out anyhow.
In all the hype that was the release of the iPhone, passions flared. From the folks claiming it would be the most revolutionary mobile device since who-knows-what, to the folks pointing out how it’s a Ferrari with Honda Civic engine. We are now approaching the one-month-since-release mark and the smoke may finally be starting to clear.
According to this AP (tech) piece on the Yahoo! News site, the share value of Apple stock fell more than 6 percent or $7 billion of market value yesterday because of fewer people than expected signing up for iPhone service. That’s no small chunk of change. The fact that the Apple spokesperson, someone I’m sure is paid a hefty salary to always have a quick response, “did not immediately return a call for comment” yesterday pretty much confirms this for me. AT&T, the iPhone’s exclusive carrier for the next four plus years, said they only activated 146,000 iPhones on June 29th and 30th. Personally, I think this could be either because there was just as much hype as some of us suspected, or because AT&T couldn’t handle the demand. But you know what? Either choice isn’t good. It may even be a case of both.
No one can deny the hype. I recall some pro-Apple podcasters pretty much drooling over all the press. Even in the AP piece Ingrid Ebeling, analyst with JPM Securities is quoted as saying, “It’s just had such a run on overexpectations, I don’t see this as any sort of disappointing metric in terms of the iPhone overall.” I admire her professionalism in avoiding criticizing the product as she should, but I admired even more her refreshingly honest sentence after that, “I think it’s just gotten a little overhyped over the past month [emphasis mine].” As do a lot of us Ms. Ebeling.
Like some of you, I wondered how on earth Apple could lock itself into a 5 year deal with anyone, but when I found out it was AT&T I was a bit gobsmacked. Gobsmacked because the majority of what I heard about AT&T wireless service was bad. Worse, because the folks who told me this were former AT&T customers. It’s hard to argue with experience.
All things considered, the drop in share price shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. It was simply a matter of time. Besides, as the old adage goes, the market has a way of correcting itself. This seems to be such a case.
Nevertheless, I don’t for one second believe this is a problem for Apple, the company. Yes, there are lessons to be learned. One of those lessons may be: just because you know how to sell computers doesn’t mean you know how to sell mobile phones. But something else is on the horizon that should pull the company from Cupertino out of the doldrums. It’s bright, it’s shiny, it’s sharp, and I believe it will actually bring that $7 billion back, and maybe a bit more. It‘s scheduled to arrive in October. What it am I referring to? It would be Leopard.
Censored By MacBreak Weekly
So there I am adding a comment in the comments section of MacBreak weekly number 49. Once again I’m fed up with their iHype over the iPhone. So I send a comment I believe is relevant and has substance:
Some Smelling Salt
Submitted by harlemite on Fri, 2007-07-20 16:08
Well, at least the amount of iPhone chat is decreasing. Nevertheless, there’s something worth pointing out.
An article in today’s Wall Street Journal titled “Motorola Swings A Loss” contains some very interesting info. Motorola is posting a loss because folks are concerned about declining cellphone sales. What’s declining for them? 35.5 million during the 2nd qtr, which is lower than the 45.4 million they sold in the 1st qtr. However, the shareholders are remembering the 51.9 million of the 2nd qtr last year. So, now they’ve slipped into third place behind Nokia and Samsung.
How many cellphones must Nokia and Samsung be selling per qtr? And, dare I ask, how many iPhones have been sold so far?
Don’t get angry folks. It’s a valid question. One that’s definitely worth asking when some on the show are looking 10 years into the future and seeing the iPhone as being one of the top sellers.
There’s much more to selling mobiles than most folks are aware of. BNet gives a nice glimpse into just how it’s done. Have a look for yourself:
http://blogs.bnet.com/intercom/?p=529
Outside of the iPhone haze, it was a pretty decent show. You’ve done better before, but that was during the pre-iPhone days. I hope Apple releases something new soon to save you folks from sounding like Moonies of the mobile phone world.
Now, forgive me if I’m at a loss for not seeing what my huge offense was, but before you know it, here’s what I was looking at (click on image below to increase size):
I’m at a bit of a loss as to why I was no longer allowed to post comments. Of all the people in the world I thought would CENSOR ME I never thought it would be Leo LaPorte and crew! Any of you folks who’ve read this blog know how crazy I am about Macs! However, it seems that I have hit a nerve of some sort when it comes to criticizing the iPhone. How can this be? The same Leo LaPorte who speaks of liberties, who’s paranoid of the government watching him does THIS?!? I’m at a loss!!!
How Tough is the Mobile Phone Market? Ask Motorola
Judging from an article in today’s Wall Street Journal, things are not looking so well at Motorola in the area of key mobile-device sales:
Telecommunications-equipment maker Motorola Inc. posted a loss for the second quarter as sales of its key mobile-device business fell by 40% from the year-earlier period, and the company declined to say how long it may take to get its cellphone business back on track.
“I don’t want to predict. I don’t think we have been necessarily good at that [in the past two quarters],” Chief Executive Ed Zander told analysts during a conference call. “We’re confident we’re doing the right things.”
The results marked the second quarter in a row the company posted a loss and the third quarter its results fell short of Wall Street expectations. Since the beginning of 2007, Motorola has been hit by worsening handset margins, a proxy fight, high-level defections and a declining stock price.
Analysts believe the latest numbers mean Motorola has slipped to third place among global handset makers, behind Nokia Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Just a year ago, Motorola was looking to surpass Nokia for the top spot, but the focus on market share over profit margins helped create the current problems. Motorola has since reversed the strategy to focus on improving margins. [more (requires subscription)]
Now, here’s something else from the article to bear in mind:
Motorola sold 35.5 million cellphones during the second quarter, down from 45.4 million in the first quarter and 51.9 million in the second quarter of last year.
Notice the amount of cellphones being sold in a quarter? And this is a company that’s slipped into the third spot. So, the next time you hear someone speaking of a new cellphone that’s supposed to impact the industry, do the math before taking what they say too seriously.
Back From the Land of Nokia
My wife and I just got back from visiting her lovely family (which I delightfully claim mine by marriage) in Tampere, Finland. In any case, the visit was a F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C experience. As someone living in Stockholm, Sweden, I don’t always hear the best things about Finland. The rivalry between the Nordic countries can be a bit intense at times. Of course, being that I’m married to a beautiful Finnish lady, I take it with the largest grain of salt one can imagine. Nevertheless, my wife’s family are the sort of folks all of Finland should be proud of.
I’ve heard it said that Finns (like Swedes) can be distant and cold. My experience with both is that this is true only initially. They’re simply more cautious than others about letting folks in close. However, when the DO let you in, they let you in. We stayed on the countryside near Tampere and had a great time. These folks, while very much Finnish, reminded me so much of Greeks in their passion and appreciation for life. At their summer place, literally on the shores of lake Roine, we exchanged stories, enjoyed some schnapps and drinking songs, some of the best flame-broiled wild, white salmon you could imagine, fresh strawberries and cream, some laughs, and some tears. Everyone in life should enjoy such blessings, and both my wife and I are thankful to God for the experience. Odds are, dear readers, I’ll be referring back to these wonderful people and the experience we had together again.
Okay. Now comes the techy bit.
I’m very glad to say I was smart enough to take my Nokia N95 with me. I was impressed with it before, but this trip offered a chance for me to really see what it could do. It was nice for me, in these days of iPhone overkill, to finally be on vacation and get the chance to do with my N95 what iPhone owners can only dream about. Armed with my N95 (with a 2GB micro SD card) and my MacBook Pro, I was a picture taking, video clip making, SMSing, GPSing, mobile multimedia machine! Thanks to yet another fabulous tip from Erik the Red, who always has his finger on the pulse of things (thanks, big guy!) I’d long ago installed the Nokia Media Transfer app onto my MacBook Pro. So, basically I was a technofile who was agile and mobile.
So there we all were on the countryside having a great time; children, grandchildren, parents, and one dog. It was great. As you can imagine, many moments arose that needed to be captured. I had the right tools. I took photo after photo, and video clip after video clip. The 5 megapixel photo quality was fantastic. Even the video clips were better than I expected. The one concern I have would be that the video quality become a bit blocky at a length of about 4-5 meters (10-13 feet) or more. Nevertheless, to my delight I discovered that with my 2GB micro SD card I could record up to 1 hour of video or make over 2000 images on my N95. Think about that for awhile folks. 1 hour of video on a mobile phone. Who could honestly say five years ago they saw this capability coming? Not me, that’s for sure. Anyhow, I spent my evenings snapping and recording away with little or no concern about running out of space.
One evening I decided it was time to grab my MacBook Pro, start up Nokia Media Transfer, and transfer both my images and video clips via Bluetooth. Nokia’s Media Transfer app made this a piece of cake. Of course, as someone who’s used the Nokia PC Suite in the past, this is no surprise. Nokia knows how to produce a good interface. I can’t stress enough the importance of a good user interface. The quality of Nokia’s interfaces is one of the things that kept me using their mobile phones all these years.
For one brief hick-up of a moment several years ago I bought a Sony Ericsson mobile. The interface was horrible. I believe I lasted about 3 weeks before I couldn’t stand using it any longer. It was a bad experience. I mean a REALLY bad. So bad I never had the desire to try a Sony Ericsson since, and they’ve put out some great phones since then. But a good interface means a lot, and I strongly doubt they’ve come to where Nokia is in this area.
Getting back on track, seeing as the video clips for the N95 are recorded in mp4 format, it was simply a matter of double-clicking on the clips to have them start instantly playing in QuickTime. No converting; no finding the proper codex. None of that. I do need to add that the caching of the video clips from my micro SD card did take more time than I expected. I don’t know how much can be done about this for now, but it’s something to bear in mind. Once I transferred my images and clips to my laptop, I was able to double-click and enjoy. It took little time before I was able to instantly show folks what I was up to. The time I saved turned into more time to spend and enjoy with the family.
But the story’s not totally over yet! Now I’m in the midst of uploading all of my hard (hardLY, if anything!) work to Flickr for friends and family to enjoy. Niiiiiice! That, dear readers, is how it is supposed to be.
Before I close I want to mention that it seems I wasn’t the only non-Finnish Nokia fan in Finland last week! Stefan Constantinescu of intomobile had his dream come true with a visit to the Nokia plant in Espoo, Finland (as well as Tampere!). It sounds like it was a very nice experience. See for yourself how the Finns treated him. It’s definitely worth a peak.
In the meantime, take care. And if you ever get the chance to enjoy a bit of your summer in Finland, I highly encourage you to do so. But do yourself a favor. Do it with a Nokia in your hands. If you REALLY want some fun, make it an N95.
Laterz.
