While it may appear official, Novell has said nothing to the press regarding iPhone 2.0 integration, though they’re not required to. On Novell’s messageboards, Dean Lythgoe, the Director of GroupWise Engineering posted this message to a GroupWise mailing list:

“Novell and the GroupWise team have been working for some time on integration between GroupWise and the iPhone. We have reached out to Apple several times for updates and plans. Apple had indicated that there were two major things that would be happening around the iPhone in the coming months and with their latest announcement they have spelled out those two things.

1. The iPhone would become available on Corporate plans
2. An SDK would be released that would allow synchronization type applications

Novell is committed to providing a solution that allows users access to their email, calendar and contacts on the iPhone. As the SDK was just released, we are still working out the details and will announce more specific plans when appropriate.

We understand the demand that the recent announcements will generate and we will work quickly to provide comparable solutions with GroupWise.”

I’d say that this rather clearly indicates Novell’s interest in providing a solution as soon as they can. IBM is also said to be working on an iPhone version of Lotus Notes. This is all wrapping up rather nicely, or at least it will once these things actually ship!

written by Tyler Regas

This is a tad off-topic, but it is portable and it has a little computer in it so it must, to some small degree, count. Let’s just say that nobody will likely be penning the next great American novel on it, much less fetching email. It is, on the other hand, a fully functional microwave oven with all of the expected features of its larger cousins. The iWave Cube measures just short of one foot square, weighs in a 12 pounds US, and has a retail price is US$149.95. You can buy one at Sharper Image Online for a mere US$129.95 now.

written by Tyler Regas

Its that time of year again, when developers in league with Apple crawl out of their laboratories to migrate for that annual mecca in San Francisco, CA. know as the World Wide Developers Conference. It is at the WWDC, where programmers speak Objective C better than English, gather to learn about what Papa Jobs has for them this year. Interestingly enough, one of the biggest developer announcements ever has already been let out of the bag; Apple’s iPhone SDK as well as other significant announcements. What does this mean for a WWDC whose slogan is “A landmark event. In more ways than one.” Examine this slogan, the image above, and the cryptic message from the MacWorld expo (which ended up announcing the MacBook Air with “There’s something in the air”) and we have a new conundrum. Continue reading »

written by Tyler Regas

In an amazingly obnoxious explosion of yellow (you’ll see what I mean) MoGo Wireless has announced the immediate availability of their new CellRanger line of signal boosters. Available in Stix, sporting a magnetic antenna, 15′ cable, and powered by the cigarette lighter socket, and Port, a USB powered version, models MoGo claims they will boost signal strength, even in areas which don’t receive signal. Of course, I imagine these are areas which border directly on other areas which do receive signal. They work with GSM and CDMA networks which operate in the 800 to 1900 Mhz range, with exception to Sprint and Nextel. Pricing is set at US$149.95 for both models. MoGo Wireless will be unveiling an AC powered home version at the CTIA show, as well.

written by Tyler Regas

If you’ve been looking for a ruggedized Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium PDA to fill your enterprise needs, GETAC has one for you. The new GETAC PS535E is a handheld which features a 400MHz Samsung CPU, 64MBs of SDRAM, 2GBs of NAND Flash for storage, high sensitivity GPS, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a daylight readable 3.5″ transflective touchscreen display, an SD card slot, and a 2400mAh battery which GETAC claims can run for 8 hours at room temperature. The unit is designed to meet MIL-STD 810F and is IP54 compliant, which means its pretty tough.

written by Tyler Regas

To explain, PostPath is a Microsoft Exchange mail server replacement. In general, non-Microsoft software can’t support Microsoft functions like ActiveSync because they either need to license it for an exorbitant amount or reverse engineer it, and then Microsoft just changes it in an update. Now that Microsoft has had to release its technologies for free or a very reasonable rate, it looks like PostPath has picked up on that and jumped on ActiveSync. Where the iPhone comes in is the addition of real ActiveSync support for the mail client in the upcoming version 2.0 of the software. If PostPath’s ActiveSync implementation works, then we’re looking at the first all non-Microsoft mail server which supports all Microsoft technologies. Interesting.

written by Tyler Regas

Alltel has announced today that it will now be exclusively offering LG’s new Glimmer slider-type handset. The touchscreen device will exit the gate at US$349, for what, at least in appearance, looks like a tappable version of the Shine from AT&T. Of course, the Shine has a smaller screen and a control nub where the LG logo is located on the Glimmer. Specs include the aforementioned 2.8″ touchscreen, a 2MP camera, a microSD card slot which will take up to 4GB, GPS, EVDO capabilities, and a range of software features like MP3 player and an unspecified 3D accelerator chipset. The handset will be available in stores and online tomorrow.

written by Tyler Regas

SanDisk, the second largest market segment holder in the Digital Audio Player (DAP) space, has rolled out their new Fuze line. Positioned to compete with the hot iPod Nano, these DAPs feature 2GBs (US$80), 4GBs (US$100), and 8GBs (US$130) of storage with a microSDHC card slot for additional storage, 1.9″ color display, FM radio tuner, a built-in mic for voice recording, and come in five different colors, depending on how much capacity you want. For example, if you want an 8GB Fuze, you’ll have to settle for silver. They are available now.

written by Tyler Regas

On the heels of the ridiculously awesome iPhone SDK and associated services announcements of last week, several big outfits have announced that they will be coding for the pocket computer. First out of the gate was Sun announcing that it would port Java to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Sun has stated that its already had some developers working with the SDK. GameLoft has also made an official announcement and says it will have 15 titles for 2008, all based on the Apple iPhone SDK. I’m pleased these won’t be ports or Java. id hasn’t made an official announcement, but when John Carmack talks about doing stuff it tends to be true. Mr. Carmack has announced id will support iPhone as well via a Slashdot post.

written by Tyler Regas