I Do Not Answer My Email

First, thank you everyone for your support and emails.

I have not posted to this blog in a long time and I am still amazed at the amount of traffic and the volume of mail I receive.

I started the blog as simply a location for me to store how to's and stuff so I wouldn't forget them. It turns out that many readers found it interesting as well.

I stopped posting to the blog when I got busy on other projects, and because I really did not have the time to keep up. I decided to leave the blog up so it could continue to be a reference site for others.

As I said at the top of this post, thanks to everyone, I really do appreciate it - BUT - I am unable to respond to your emails and questions. I do not have the time to properly respond to all of them, so rather than cheating someone out of a proper (thought out) response I don't reply to anyone. This is sort of selfish, but it is not like this is my job and I am getting paid.

WM6 For Your BlackJack

I'm still not really updating this blog, but I thought I might post one item that I read/heard.

Rumor is that the release date for Windows Mobile 6 (the Operating System) for the BlackJack will be available Sept 17. Not sure how AT&T will be distributing it. Probably best if you look around on many of the Phone Blogs or Newsgroups for this detail.

Here is a link to WM6 at Microsoft.

I'm going back into hibernation :)

I am no longer updating this blog

Thanks to everyone who has emailed me and participated by posting things during the time I maintained this blog.

As you have probably noticed, I have not been updating this site is quite some time. I started it mostly as a place to document what I have learned about my new toy; my Samsung SGH-i607 BlackJack from Cingular (ATT). Quickly it became a place that many visited and sent me lots of emails which was sort of cool. Over time it became too difficult to read other blogs/newsgroups, investigate and try out things, and keep this site going. I get paid pretty good money to do what I do professionally, so when my schedule gets overloaded, it is the "free" things I do that get dropped first.

I had fun doing it, and maybe I'll do it again. Thanks to all that have visited and read my ramblings.

Another Java Issue - For Developers

This posting will probably only interest programmers and developers.

Here is another reason why there needs to be an upgrade to the software on the BlackJack. This is a Cingular/ATT and JBland (the Java Virtual Machine) issue.

I have reported earlier about the odd security that has been set up with the default Java virtual machine - this one is not about that. This issue has to do with the implementation of the Font.stringWidth(String str) function.

I have not seen it reported anywhere else, but I am sure that this is not only happening on my machine.

Here is what is happening: a call to f.stringWidth(str) is returning the width of the string using the default system font (STYLE_PLAIN, SIZE_MEDIUM, FACE_SYSTEM) no matter what the actual font 'f' is. Here is a code example :
Font fDefault = g.getFont();
Font fLarge = Font.getFont(Font.FACE_SYSTEM,Font.STYLE_PLAIN,Font.SIZE_LARGE);
Font fSmall = Font.getFont(Font.FACE_SYSTEM,Font.STYLE_PLAIN,Font.SIZE_SMALL);
Font fBold = Font.getFont(Font.FACE_SYSTEM,Font.STYLE_BOLD,Font.SIZE_MEDIUM);

Now no matter what font you use to call stringWidth(), it will always return the same value. Here is some sample code:
g.drawString(fLarge.stringWidth(s),8 ,20,g.TOP | g.LEFT);
g.drawString(fSmall.stringWidth(s),8 ,32,g.TOP | g.LEFT);
g.drawString(fBold.stringWidth(s),8 ,44,g.TOP | g.LEFT);
g.drawString(fDefault.stringWidth(s),8 ,56,g.TOP | g.LEFT);

Now this issue only occurs in the default Java virtual machine included with the BlackJack (I believe it is JBland). It does not occur in the Sun Wireless Toolkit emulators, nor IBM's J9 virtual machine - both of those report different values when using different fonts.

I have verified that it has nothing to do with the currently set font (g.setFont(new_font)) or anything like that.

Has anyone else noticed this behavior? If so, what was your work a round? For me, I use the J9 VM normally so it is not that big of an issue, but it would be nice if my stuff ran on the default VM as well.

A Leather Case

I have more people reading my blog than ever before, and wouldn't you know it, I have been too busy to update it since last week. I am expecting for my schedule to clear up in the next couple of days, so I should be back to my regular 4-5 posting a week soon.

I do have one item I would like to pass along. Just Another Mobile Monday has found a leather case for the BlackJack. The case is made by Vaja and apparently there are over 1000 combinations of it that you can order.

I thought it was kind of cool looking, and thought you might think so too. Here is the link again: Leather Case.

Finally, A Basic Calculator

As I have mentioned previously, I want a calculator that looks real. I do not like the one that came with my blackJack for no other reason that it does not look good. A very petty thing, but my opinion none the less.

The supplied calculator has basic functionality and works fine but I like my calculators to show more than the display screen - I like to see the buttons.

Well, Lawrence Patricio has produced a very basic calculator that I like. As he says in his blog:

When I bought my ASUS P525 PPC Phone, i was looking around for a calculator application wherein I can take advantage of it's built-in keypad; a calculator application wherein I could use with only just one hand. I found one, but doesn't really quite right for my needs. So, I decided to write my own calculator application, a simple one, but is good for one-hand use. And, it also works great on a Smartphones! :)

I have downloaded the CAB file and it runs just fine on my BlackJack.

He seems to have exceeded his transfer limit on his main hosting site, but he does have an alternate location to get the CAB file which I used. To download this application for your self simply go here.

I have not tried to create my own skins yet, but gCalc allows you to easily add your own. He does have a couple of example skins on his blog if you are interested.

Free Extended Battery (and Cover)

You have probably observed, or read about some people having an issue with the battery life (or lack of) on their BlackJack. If you purchase one now, I understand, it comes with a regular and an extended battery. When I purchased mine, I got two standard ones.

If you are like me and got the two standard ones, you can now get an extended one sent to you for FREE.

Simply point your browser at www.web-rebates.com/cingular/blackjack and enter your IMEI and wireless phone number, along with your address. Your IMEI can be found at the back of your phone behind the battery (you will have to take the battery out to see it).

I became of this offer from graphiteRT who also mentions:

• IMEIs between 352794010030189 - 352794012269959 are eligible for this offer
• Young America will process & fulfill (the folks that do the BestBuy, Circuit City, etc. rebates)
• Fulfillment process may take 2 to 4 weeks

New Version of ActiveSync

It looks like on Tuesday Microsoft released a new of ActiveSync. ActiveSync is the tool you use to sync your BlackJack with your PC/Outlook, install new applications, or explore your BlackJack from your desktop.

The version that came with my BlackJack was 4.2 but I have been running 4.5 Beta 2 for a while in hopes that it would fix some issues I was having (plus I like to play around with the newest versions of stuff). Well, version 4.5 is now out and you can pick it up on Microsoft's web site.

On the web site it lists all the features under the section "Additional Functions". There it lists great things like "faster file transfer speeds", but it also lists some functionality they have removed - so read through the items before upgrading in case it breaks something you like.

Please Note
If you are running Vista you will NOT need this upgrade.

Here is the link: Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5

Microsoft's Daylight Savings Time Update

As you are aware, DST will start earlier and end later starting this year in North America. I have previously written about this in my posting 2007 Daylight Saving Time Issue

Microsoft has put out some updated instructions along with some files to install which will address this issue. You will notice they have provided lots of instructions for the various way to do the install on your BlackJack (I simply downloaded the CAB and ActiveSync'd it over).

I looked in the CAB file and it is simply some registry updates - almost exactly the same as the solution mentioned previously (I only see 1 line difference).

To begin your update, visit the Daylight Saving Time 2007 Update on the Microsoft's site and start reading.

Microsoft's Live Search

For users that like their mapping applications, this has been a good couple of weeks.

Almost two weeks ago Google released their stand-along Google Maps for Mobile and now Microsoft has moved their Windows Live Search for Mobile out of beta - and changed the name to Live Search.

I have mentioned Live Search a couple of times in my postings (Maps on Your BlackJack and Wiping Everything Away (Hard Reset)) and use it often to find places/things.

The newest version comes in two flavors: one for for the United States and another for the United Kingdom. To pick up a copy for yourself, simply go to here. Alternatively, you can download the CAB file directly to your phone by going here for the US version and here for the UK version.

One of the nicest features is the ability to search for a place and then highlight one of the search results and make a phone call to that location without having to type in the phone number.



Here are all the links again:

• Live Search for Mobile download site
• CAB file to download and install directly on you phone

Free BlackJack

This little beauty of a deal was pointed out by Bill over at EdgeBlog.

Over at Amazon.com you can pick yourself up a Samsung i607 BlackJack Smartphone and get a 100% rebate. To take advantage of this great deal you will have to purchase a new service plan (or a renewal) from Cingular and agree to keep the plan for 181 days.

Here is the link to the BlackJack deal at Amazon: BlackJack Deal

I wish I was able to take advantage of this great deal, but I just renewed recently.

Cool Weather Application

I came across a nice weather application written by the folks at Connected Bits.

The application is called Connected Bits Weather. You can view the current weather info, the forecast for the entire week, and you can drill down on a forecasted day to view additional details. For the BlackJack you should pick up the Smartphone WM5 - Beta 1 CAB file.

To use the application you simply need to select a city out of a list of about 50+, or you can enter any valid US zip code. The application remembers your selection the next time you fire the program up, so only if you want to view the weather in another city will you have to select a city/zip again.

Please Note
This application requires .Net Compact Framework 2.0 which if you do not have can be picked up on the Microsoft web site here.

Here are the links again:

• Smartphone WM5 - Beta 1 version of the CAB file.
• Connected Bits Weather information page.
• Connected Bits company page.

RIM and Samsung Settle Lawsuit Over BlackJack

I saw this article in a number of locations, so I figured I would pass it on:

"Research In Motion Ltd. has settled a lawsuit with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. over allegations the South Korean electronics giant infringed on RIM's well-known BlackBerry trademark name with its competing BlackJack smartphone." (Computer World)

Also see:

• RIM and make nice on naming dispute (Engadget)
• RIM, Samsung settle lawsuit over BlackJack (CNet)
• RIM Settles Samsung Suit over BlackJack Device (eWeek)
• RIM and Samsung settle suit over BlackJack device (Reuters Canada)
• Settlement reached in BlackBerry-BlackJack trademark dispute (The Mercury News)

Two New Free Schedule Applications

On Gerard-Peter Carreon's blog that I visit when I get a chance, he has an entry about two new free applications at Connective Tools.

The first is SleepWell! for WM Smartphones. The application allows you to schedule the phone module to turn off and on automatically. Advantages of this would be the ability of extending the battery life and eliminating the phone from ringing at bad times (ex. over night while you are sleeping).

SleepWell! adds a new functionality of automatic turning Off and On the phone module in accordance to your time plan. Events can be scheduled based on definite time, dates and days of the week. It is very convenient, because the workday schedule and weekend and holiday schedule can differ. The program has an ability to activate and deactivate scheduled events. There is no need to delete and create them again.

The other application is CT Scheduler for Smartphones which allows you to schedule the launching of programs, documents, media, and other files.

Tasks can be scheduled to launch based on definite time, dates and days of the week. It is very convenient, because the workday schedule and weekend and holiday schedule can differ. The program has an ability to activate and deactivate scheduled items. There is no need to delete and create them again.

Below are some examples of CT Scheduler usage:

1. Sound Alert. Select desired audio-file to run in 'Program / File' field and then set the necessary time parameters. You can also select any specific media-player in 'Program / File' field and desired audio-file in 'Parameters' field.
2. Switching Profiles. Select '/Windows/autoprof.exe' in the 'Program / File' field. Then enter '-s ProfileName' in the 'Parameters' field. 'ProfileName' must be English name of the desired profile, for example 'Meeting'.
3. Downloading web-page. Select '/Windows/iexplore.exe' in the 'Program / File' field. Then enter the desired URL in the 'Parameters' field.

I have not tried either of these applications yet, but some of you might be interested and can tell me what you think of them.

Here are the links:

• Connective Tools
• SleepWell! for Smartphones
• CT Scheduler for Smartphones

How Fast Do You Surf?

Your BlackJack is capable of using different networks and technologies to access the Internet. These high-speed networks include Cingular's 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) network and EDGE/GPRS network .

Though I have found it difficult to get exact numbers, I believe the EDGE network is potentially capable of about 170 Kbps but you will probably get more like 70Kbps to 135kbs in your day to day life. As for the 3G network, HSDPA has a maximum data speed of 14.4Mbps but you certainly will not get this. "Current HSDPA deployments now support 1.8 Mbit/s or 3.6 Mbit/s in downlink." (wikipedia quote). Like on the EDGE network, in the real world you will see slightly less speeds: "In the U.S., it provides average download speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second (kbit/s), with bursts to more than one megabit per second (Mbit/s). deployed." (wikipedia quote).

So what speeds are you getting? Want to know? Point your Internet Explorer at http://dslreports/mspeed/ and find out.

I understand that there may be some "hacks" out there to increase your speeds, and if I get some time I may look them up and report back.

Setting Up GMail in Your Messaging Client

If you have a GMail account, you can access your account from your BlackJack through POP (Post Office Protocol) using the "Messaging" client. It is free and available for you to use.

Once you have configured your "Messaging" client to access your account it is easy sailing, but the actual configuring can be a bit of trial and error. On the help section of GMail it list a large number of clients, but does not list the BlackJack specifically. This posting is going to make it very easy.

Figuring that I will want these instructions for future reference the next time I have to do a hard reset (wipe everything out and start over), I figured others might like them as well.

Lets start out on the GMail side first. Log into your account at mail.google.com or gmail.com and click on the "Settings" link in the top right corner. Once in the "Settings" area, click on the "Forwarding and Pop" link. Around the middle of the screen you will see a "POP Download" section:

Click on one of the "Enable POP ..." selections, and then click on"Save Changes".

That's it on the GMail side. Now lets set up the account on your BlackJack.

	From the "Home" screen of your phone, click on "Start", and then the "Messaging" application. When a window comes up, scroll down to "New Account". Click on "Select" to start the process.
	On the "Your e-mail provider" set it to "Other (POP/IMAP)". Click on the "Next" button to proceed.
	Enter all your details. "Your Name" will be the name you wish to show up on your emails. "E-mail address" must be your full GMail address. The "Attempt to obtain e-mail setting from the Internet" should NOT be checked. Click on the "Next" button to proceed.
	Enter your "User name" which will be your full GMail email address. Enter your "Password" which hopefully is not password or your pets name. Click on the "Next" button to proceed.
	The "Server type" needs to be set to "POP3". The "Account name" should be renamed to something more descriptive than what I show in this screen shot (ex. "GMail Account"). Click on the "Next" button to proceed.
	The "Incoming Server" should be "pop.gmail.com". The "Require SSL connection" needs to be checked. Enter "smtp.gmail.com" for "Outgoing Server". Finally, check "Outgoing server requires authentication". Click on the "Next" button to proceed.
	You are free to set any of the parameters you want on this page. Click on the "Next" button to proceed.
	Change the value on the page to anything you want from "Never" (meaning you will go get it when you want it) to Every 15 Minutes. Click on the "Next" button to proceed.
	You did it! Now click on "Finish" to complete the process.

You should now be able to access your GMail account. If you have not scheduled a connection period (ex. Every hour) or you would like to connect immediately and check your email, you can manually connect by clicking on the "Menu" button and then "Send/Receive". This is also how you can send something that is in your outbox immediately without having to wait for the next scheduled connection.

Maps on Your BlackJack

There are a number of applications that will allow you to display maps on your phone. In this post I am going to talk about two of them: Google Maps for Mobile and Windows Live Search for Mobile.


Both of these free applications allow you to view maps, get directions, and search for local businesses.

Up until recently, Google Maps on the BlackJack was in the form a Java midlet (a java mobile application) and the Java interpreter on the phone did not play nice with it. Many found ways to get around the issues, but it usually involved installing a different interpreter.

Well, there is now a Windows Mobile version of Google Maps and it works great. You can either point your BlackJack Internet Explorer at www.google.com/gmm or you can click here to download the CAB file to your PC and then use ActiveSync to transfer it to your phone.

The other application is from Microsoft. Windows Live Search for Mobile. I have been running this application for a while now and I like it as well. To get Windows live either point your BlackJack Internet Explorer at wls.live.com/download/wm/LiveSearch.cab or click on it from your desktop and transfer it to your phone through ActiveSync.

With both of these mapping applications, you can ask them to find all the businesses of a particular type or all the locations of a specific store. For example if you are walking downtown and want to find all the pizza joints - these mapping programs will display a map and show you where you can pick up a hot slice of pizza. Same goes for finding the nearest Wal-Marts when you are driving on the highway.

Here are the links again:

• The main Google Maps for Mobile site
• The Google Maps CAB file
• Microsoft's Windows Live Search for Mobile

Short Cuts, Speed Dial, and Quick Launch

This posting is about being more efficient; specifically, to be more efficient on your phone by allowing often used applications and phone numbers to be easily accessed.

To accomplish this, there are three built-in applications/functions that are available to you on your BlackJack. They are:

• Short Cuts - these are key combinations that usually launch something.
  
• Speed Dial - a built-in application that you can use to assign a short cut number to a phone numbers, e-mail addresses, web pages, or application.
• Quick Launch - a built-in application that you can use to quickly launch applications, go to web pages, open folders, or view a file.

Lets start with what I call Short Cuts. These key combinations are listed in the Getting Started Guide (here is an interactive version of the document). As the document mentions, these functions are only available on the "Home" screen. To use them, simply hold down the Fn key and the corresponding letter at the same time (Note that the letter is not case sensitive meaning B and b are the same):

Turn Bluetooth On/Off	FN + B
Launch Cingular Mall	FN + C
Launch Cingular Music	FN + M
Launch MEdia Net	FN + W
Launch Cingular Video	FN + V

The second efficiency application I am going to mention is the Speed Dial. Now maybe I missed it, but I do not believe the BlackJack User Guide fully explains how to use this application.

You may already use the Speed Dial application and you don't even know it. If you access your voicemail box by pressing and holding down the 1 key, you are using speed dial. By default the first speed dial location (1) is assigned to your voicemail box. This application has 99 locations to store phone numbers, email address, and URLs from you Contacts. In addition, you can use any of these 99 locations to quickly launch applications.

To assign a speed dial number a phone number, email address, or URL:

1. Open up your Contacts
2. Select the entry that the phone number, email address, or URL is in.
3. Go to the phone number, email address, or URL, and instead of clicking on "Call" click on the "Menu" button.
4. Select "Add to Speed Dial"
5. Finally, select a Keypad Assignment (any available number 2-99) when the window comes up.

To assign an Application to a speed dial number:

1. Navigate to the Application from the Start menu.
2. Rather than clicking on "OK", click on the "Menu" button.
3. Select "1 Add Speed Dial".
4. Finally, select a Keypad Assignment (any available number 2-99) when the window comes up.

If you would like to manage your speed dial entries, the applications can be found under "Start\Applications\Speed Dial".

Now for the part the User Guide leaves out (or at least I did not see it). To use the stored speed dial numbers, you need to enter the number and hold the last digit. For example, if the speed dial number to call your Mom is 2, then press and hold the number 2. If the speed dial number to email something to yourself is 14, you will enter 1 and then press and hold the 4.

Please Note
You can only access and use the speed dial numbers from the home screen.

Finally the last efficiency application I am going to write about today is the Quick Launch. I actually wrote about it earlier in January but feel that it belongs in todays subject. The Quick Launch is an included application on your BlackJack. Unlike other applications on your phone, you will not find it under the Start menu. Instead, you can access it by pressing and holding the thumb wheel on the right hand side of your phone for a second or two.

Using this application you are able to quickly launch applications and open web pages, folders, and files.

Since I already wrote about it previously, I will let you go read it and get the details on how to use it: Quick Launch

Reorganize Your Start Menu

In a previous post, I discussed how you could move some of the default programs from the root "Start" menu to a new directory if you were unable to delete them.

To recap my problem: I wanted to clean up the "Start" menu and get rid of the junk that Cingular had placed on it. For example, I saw no reason to keep the Cingular Video and MEdia Net since they were simply links to online content. These links could simply be added to my favorites in my IE (Internet Explorer).

Using the the solution I mentioned in my post (Re)move Default Programs, I described how to move these items to a new directory. This definitely cleaned up my "Start" menu, but it meant those files were still on my BlackJack using precious resources (disk space). I never did try to go back and delete these files using AbstractStart, so moving the files was as far as I went in resolving my problem.

Today I decided to try Total Commander for Windows Smartphone. The application is a file manager that allows you to do lots of things including changing file properties (example: change read only or system file attributes on and off) and moving and deleting files. You can pick-up the latest version for your BlackJack here (It's a CAB, so copy it to your phone and then using using your File Explorer found in \Start\Applications\ simply open it to install).

This appears to be exactly what I was looking for. As an initial test I was able to delete both the Cingular Video and MEdia Net in my "Start" menu. They are gone and I did not have to move them first or anything like that.

Now, since those two items are really just links to web sites, I have added them to my IE Favorites.

• Cingular Video - http://cingularvideo.cingular.com?source=bm
• MEdia Net - http://home

Side Note
Even with the power of Total Commander I have been unable to delete some files in the Windows directory. For example, I have been unable to delete IM.exe (A link to get the OZ Instant Messaging client) which I do not plan on using because it uses SMS. It currently has the attributes of "read only" and "System", and I can't seem to remove those attributes and add the "Archive" attribute. My assumption is once I can accomplish that, I will be able to delete the file.

Here are the links again:

• My previous post (Re)move Default Programs
• Total Commander web site
• Total Commander for Smartphones (this is the Public Beta 2.5 which has better support for Windows Mobile 5)

Get Free Home Estimates On Your Phone

Well, another weekend is over. If you are like many, you were possibly driving around and saw a house and wondered what it was worth. Maybe you were in a new neighborhood and wondered how much it would set you back to buy that dream home.

Of course you could wait until you got home to look up the answer at Zillow on your computer. Many are familiar with Zillow and your ability to use it to obtain an "estimated value" of a house, for free!

You may not know that you don't have to wait until you are in front of a computer to get an estimate and basic home facts from Zillow. You can use your BlackJack (or any mobile phone or handheld device that can send and receive emails or text messages) to get the home estimate instantly and while your out cruising in your car.

Simply send an email (or a text message) to z@labs.zillow.com from your BlackJack along with the address of the house. Almost instantly you will get an email back with the home's address, the "Zestimate", number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, square footage, and the year build

Just this morning I sent the following email to them so I could show you an example (I sent it from my desktop rather than my BlackJack, so I sort of cheated in that sense). This address is for the Playboy Mansion:

To: z@labs.zillow.com
Body: 10236 Charing Cross Rd Los Angeles Ca

And I got back the following:

10236 Charing Cross Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Zestimate: $5.65M
7 BR / 8.0 BA / 14,217 Sq Ft
Built --
More @ Zillow.com

If the home had been sold recently, it will also list the sale price.

You can read more about this service at the Zillow labs.

Now when you are out house hunting and you come across an "Open House" you can send a quick email to Zillow before going in the front door - free information that will give you some extra facts that others don't have.

An Easy Home Screen Modification

When I first got my BlackJack, I quickly changed the Cingular Default to the Windows Default home screen. Not too long after than I made a modified version.

One of the very first modifications that I made to my home screen was to shrink the MRU (Most Recently Used) plug-in. I felt the MRU list took up too much screen space. When I looked into the attributes for this plug-in I found that you could shrink the size of the icons by half simply by using the icon-size attribute.



To accomplish this, you need to copy the "full.home.xml" file from the "\Application Data\Home\" directory on your BlackJack (see my previous posting on how to access files if you need help doing this) to your desktop.

Next, using your favorite test editor, open the file and find the section:

<plugin clsid="{79EFB752-CB70-446d-B317-499723482B3D}" name="startmru" height="52">
<mru y="3"/>
</plugin>

Now all you need to do is add the attribute icon-size="16" and modify the height as listed below:

<plugin clsid="{79EFB752-CB70-446d-B317-499723482B3D}" name="startmru" height="36"<
<mru y="3" icon-size="16"/>
</plugin>

Finally, so you still have access to the original Windows Default screen, and your new modified screen, you should give your new one a different title and file name.

To change the title, simply go to the top of your XML file. Now between </contacturl> and <version> replace all the "titles" with a single line that reads something like <title>My New Screen</title>. Here is an example of what the beginning of your new file will look like:


<?xml version="1.0"?>
<home>
<author>My Company</author>
<contacturl>http://www.BlahBlahBlah.com</contacturl>
<title>Skreech's Home</title>
<version>1.0</version>


All that is left to do it save your file with a new name such as "new.home.xml" and copy it back to the homes screen directory on your BlackJack (\Application Data\Home\).

Now when you go into "Start\Settings\3 Display\Home Screen" you can select your newly created modified screen.

That's it! You will now have space on your home screen for additional information before it has to scroll - and it was FREE - no plug-ins to buy.

300k BlackJacks Sold - Data Service Gains

It is being reported that in the three months that the Samsung BlackJack has been available in the United States, that 300,000 have been sold so far. You can get a little bit more info on this news here.

That to me sounds like a big number for this type of phone (i.e. Smartphone, PDA, etc.) and it can only be good news. I am sure that Cingular is excited about the response that the BlackJack has received.

I also saw another article that owes some of it's good news to this larger number of BlackJack sales: Surging Demand for Data Services Drive Cingular’s Impressive Gains

Many people purchased their BlackJacks from Cingular along with the data plan so they could take advantage of a phone rebate. You can see how the first and second article are definitely related.

Simulate Windows Vista

There is a new front interface that you can use on your BlackJack called SmartVista Interface.

The base functionality is freeware. What this means is that all the information will be shown on the new front home screen, but the detail screens for Weather, News, SMS Messages, and Missed calls are not available.

Even with the limitations on the freeware, the front screen is nice.

Here are the visual items that are new to someone who is using one of the default BlackJack home screens:

• Shows the current weather (you must click the update menu item on the freeware version)
• Displays the current phone signal
• Display the current battery level (ex. 78%, "Charging", etc.)
• A nice analog clock

With the positive, there are some negatives:

• You must navigate back to your phone's home screen to view Missed calls (In the registered version there is a built in screen).
• I use a modified "Windows Default" home screen layout. On it I am able to scroll down and change the Profile very easily - I am not able to do that using this new interface.
• Similar to the Profile item above, I can't scroll down and turn Bluetooth on and off as I can with my normal home screen.
  

Even with the negatives I have listed above, I think I am going to leave this on my BlackJack for a while and see how it works out.

Here is the link again: SmartVista Interface

Update (Jan 26, 2007): There are some people reporting that this app does not work on their BlackJack. I didn't have any problems and the author is saying that those people who have the latest ROM are ok (ROM: 5.1.342 Build 15100.3.0.2). Those with other versions are having a problem. Here is what the author is saying on his web site:

Some good news for Smartphone Blackjack users:
customer who bought this device from Cingular store,
reported me that the latest version works fine in Blackjack,
ROM: 5.1.342 Build 15100.3.0.2
And I got similar reports from others. I'm still working to fix problems in other hardware versions.

Free Golf Game on the Microsoft site

At the Windows Mobile site you can pick yourself up a new free game: Free 3D Golf Game

I've played 3 holes so far and I will not be quiting my day job. I think the graphics are really good. The during limited amount of time I have spent with it so far, I found it to be fun. I installed the game and then went right to playing it without reading the instructions - so it is quite easy to use (had to play around a bit to hit the ball but that only took less than a minute to figure out).

Here's what it says on the web:

Hit the links with Nine Hole Golf, a challenging 3D game, perfect for playing wherever you are. Choose from six animated characters and three luxurious courses, each with a distinct climate and landscape. Plus, compete with your friends by adding up to four players to one game.

For BlackJack owners you will want to use the link Download for landscape screen smartphone.

While you are at the Microsoft Windows Mobile website, pickup some free rightones and get the 1-Calc Lite calculator (that I could not get to work on my BlackJack - see my post here).

Here are the links:

• Microsoft Windows Mobile site
• Free 3D Golf Game (BlackJack owners need the landscape one)
• Additional free stuff from Microsoft
  

Caps Lock: A Real Duh on My Part

Sometimes you just have to give yourself a big DUH! In my case it is not realizing how to get Caps Lock. It was not a big deal, but if I wanted to type something like "IBM" I had been typing <shift>I<shift>B<shift>M.

Turns out I simply had to type <fn><caps>IBM<fn><caps>.

Now that I have figured it out it seems pretty obvious.