Freiburg, GERMANY – December, 2009 – Paragon Software Group announces the release of Handy Safe Pro, the new professional version of the best-selling private data storage application for Windows Mobile devices (Symbian S60 application was released at the end of 2008).

Handy Safe Pro guarantees secure storage and convenient private data control on the mobile screen thanks to advanced password and encryption protections, finger-friendly and easy manageable application toolbar and two-way synchronization with PC. All the private and sensitive information will be securely stored to prevent unauthorized use as well as always accessible for the user directly from mobile screen.

Handy Safe Pro brings mobile users some peace of mind while keeping such vital information as passwords, credit card details, codes, accounts, logins, insurance policies and many others – all in one place, available for use on the go, as well as encrypted and hidden from the thieves or hackers. The program also allows to synchronize the data with PC, easily access, edit, import, restore previous databases and locate the information to user-defined folders.

Handy Safe Pro key features:

HandySafePro_WM

*Storage:

•       Modify the default information forms according to your needs

(add more specific fields for text, number, date and password) or send the form by SMS or e-mail 

•       Restore accidently deleted items

•       Activate e-mail address or phone number with a single tap

•       Show/hide passwords option

•       Finger-friendly customizable tool-bar

•       Finger-tip navigation

*Data protection

•       Strong 448-bit data encryption (Blowfish) keeps the data

private and secure. There is currently no effective code-breaking solution for Blowfish encryption. 

•       Use any combination of symbols and characters for password

•       Password strength check

•       Built-in Password generator- for generating secure passwords

•       Password hints in case if the password was forgotten

•       Autolock feature for when Handy Safe is idle

*Customizable forms

•       30+ predefined templates to store specific information

according to user’s needs 

•       Create user own personal templates with customizable icons

•       Arrange information cards in folders exactly the way user

wants and create the new ones if necessary

•       Edit forms and notes quickly with new menu functions:

Cut/Copy/Paste

*Handy Safe Desktop Professional – a PC companion

•       Easy access to the smartphone information on PC

•       Specially designed synchronization mechanism

•       User defined database location

•       Import previous Handy Safe databases: copy database from

phone, restore from backup or locate database

•       Password generator

•       Professional design and usability: easy to use toolbar,

database wizard, hide password function and more

HandySafePro_WM_pass

Handy Safe Pro for Windows Mobile is available for 29.95 USD (20.95 EUR, VAT included) via download from http://www.penreader.com/. Handy Safe Pro for S60 is available for 34.95 USD (29.95 EUR, VAT included)

via download from http://www.penreader.com.   For other sales

inquiries, please contact Paragon at corporate-sales@penreader.com.   

 About Paragon Software Group

Paragon Software Group (PSG), Smart Handheld Devices Division & Epocware, offers software for diverse classes of smartphones (Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, iPod touch, Java, Windows Mobile, Symbian OS) and desktop PCs, including multilingual, on-line handwriting recognition, localization, business and productivity applications, games, 120 multilingual dictionaries and encyclopedias. PSG has offices in the USA, Germany, Japan, and Russia delivering its solutions to consumers through a network of operators, distributors, resellers, and OEMs as well as online through the company’s website. PSG provides technology to a host of world class companies and partners including HTC, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson. To learn more about Paragon Software Group’s diverse product line, please visit:

Smart Handheld Devices Division: http://www.penreader.com

Epocware: http://www.epocware.com

Storage Management Division:

http://www.paragon-software.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ParagonSoftware

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Software-GroupMobile-Products/188145097131

All products, service and company names mentioned in the release are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

As months past, I started to notice a decline in the release of new Windows Mobile games and applications. Looking into this immediately indicated that many Windows Mobile developers had started to expand into the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch arena. I would not have thought twice about this market switch if it was not for the fact that these games and applications were being made available on the iTunes store for 99 cents. Typically a similar game or application on the Windows Mobile would be anywhere from $9.95 – $19.95 with some being much higher. Initially, I took this as a introductory trend and within 4 – 6 months I felt I would start to see a large number of iPhone and iPod Touch applications appear in the $10.00 price range or higher.

By Christmas of 2008, the number of applications available in the $10.00 or higher price range on iTunes was still a very small number compared to the applications available for only 99 cents. By this time, a number of reports were released indicating how some new developers had sold over 1 million copies of their application at 99 cents in less than 1 year. This level of distribution was unheard of in the Windows Mobile category to date. Shortly thereafter, A long time reviewer and blogger on Technobrains of Windows Mobile games informs me that he has acquired an iPod Touch. This was great news for Technobrains. Now, Eric would be able to review some iPod Touch games as well.

Unfortunately, the excitement for me disappeared by March. Eric had started to review iPod Touch games and had little time or interest in reviewing Windows Mobile games by this time. Eric was hooked on his iPod Touch. Eric eventually went from doing full reviews to doing what he now calls “QUICK LOOK”. This is a great format and allows readers to quickly guage if a game is worth the download time and expense.

The “QUICK LOOK” created by Eric are excellent for those that do not have the inclination or time to scour the thousands of games available for download on iTunes. Eric has devoted his time into selecting the games which may have the mass appeal and rate them in his “QUICK LOOK”. Many games are “Recommended” but some are also “Not Recommended”.

After spending almost 12 months reading Eric’s “QUICK LOOK”, I had come to the conclusion that the low priced games and applications on iTunes is the wave of the future and Windows Mobile applications that are $9.95 and higher will eventually disappear and be part of history. This has convinced me that to maintain the readership and have Technobrains grow down the road, I would have to increase the coverage of iPhone and iPod Touch news and reviews. This lead me to my purchase of an iPod Touch.

After a week of owning and trying my new iPod Touch, I have come to the realization that this product does have many great things going for it. There are a number of down sides which I will not discuss here but overall, the iPod Touch is definately miles ahead of Windows Mobile devices. The selection of good games and applications that are available for 99 cents is a huge benefit for those looking for a new mobile device.

If you are a Windows Mobile device user and still do not feel that purchasing an Apple mobile device is a good investment, you have to at least try one at your local Apple store. You will find that the product does have a good number of features that out performs any Windows Mobile device. I would highly suggest you avoid going to a non Apple store. The sales clerks at these other stores are not as savvy with the iPod Touch as the staff at the Apple stores. It is nolonger a battle between Windows and Apple anymore. Anyone looking for a simple device that takes care of most of the mobile devices housekeeping chores for you, do not have to look beyond an Apple iPod Touch. Once you overcome some of the very minor inconveniences experienced by other Windows Mobile users moving to the iPod Touch, you will be glad you made the switch like I have.

• Cost to developers.
• Bandwidth and storage capacity available.
• Level of customization
• Level of security

Due to the lack of details presented thus far, it is hard to tell if this online retail solution for Windows Mobile developers can truly deliver an experience that goes above and beyond what developers currently utilize to deploy their own titles online.  Most Windows Mobile developers sell their products directly on their own website or through a third party site like Handango, Clickgamer, PocketGear and others. Technobrains has an affiliate site based on Clickgamer.com located HERE. What this provides Technobrains is a source of added revenue whenever someone purchases a title directly from this affliated website. If you look at the actual URL, it is the original www.clickgamer.com url with the banner image and few key words being replaced to turn their own online website into a branded Technobrains website. This is all controlled by a file stored on the individuals computer called a COOKIE file. This method of branding benefits the original creator mostly since there are no safe guards in place to insure that the purchase is credited to www.clickgamer.com/?b=technobrains and not www.clickgamer.com when a consumer returns later to make the actual purchase directly on www.clickgamer.com. Once the original visiter to www.clickgamer.com/?b=technobrains goes to www.clickgamer.com on another computer or on the same system that has the COOKIE feature disabled, will not see the branded Technobrains version of Clickgamer.

PocketGear has their own App Store HERE which currently has over 2500 Windows Mobile applications available for purchase directly from your Windows Mobile smartphone. Unless Handmark can offer a cost effective, very simple marketing plan and deployment capabilities for independent developers, I cannot see this taking off for the shrinking Windows Mobile market. It will be interesting to see what Handmark actually offers when the complete details are made public.

You can go HERE to read the current details available from Handmark.

Added Note:

This offering is really geared towards carriers that can effectively deliver the servcies direcrtly to the consumer on specific devices. Developers with a few titles available will still deal with Handmark directly to promote their titles. Still not certain how beneficial this will be for the small Windows Mobile developers out there though.

The next generation of social lifestyle tool is now available. The product is called Yellowpin and originally appeared on Facebook as an add-on application. It’s a very simple application to use and take advantage of. Anyone with a SMS capable phone can easily send a text message and have their activity and location made available to all their buddies in the social network.

- Pinpoints exactly where you are.

- No GPS tracking or montioring.

- Provides a very secure and controlled environment for sharing your location and activities.

- Communicates your activity with the longitude and latitude of where the activitiy is taking place.

- Aggregates friends’ activity to give a user a clearer view of their social landscape.

- Allows access to all functions through the desktop application or SMS.

- You are in complete control of your information.

Yellowpin is available on a 30 day FREE trial and costs only 99 cents month. This is a great add-on application and is very reasonable in cost. You can go to www.yellowpin.com for more details and to register online.

Police Surveillance Tool Now Available For Personal Use.

If you are a fan of TV shows like CSI and Fringe, you will see from time to time, covert monitoring conducted using an individuals cellphone. Examples are tracking the user via the cellphone signal, accessing the internal GPS, turning on the microphone remotely and silently.

Now a company called Retina-X Studios has released a software program for Windows Mobile smartphones which allows you track and access features on your phone if it is ever stolen or lost. The program called RecoveryCop allows you recover your lost or stolen phone by tracking its whereabouts. You can send an SMS message from another phone or access your control panel via the online website.

Capabilities:

- Track the phones location if the device is GPS enabled.

- Have the phone silently call any number so that you can monitor the user via the microphone.

- Keep track of all SMS messages and calls made.

- Be notified of any SIM card changes.

- Automatically lock the phone when the SIM card is changed or activate the lock via a command remotely.

- Backup, erase or restore the data on the phone.

- Record the phone number registered on the new SIM card,

The program could pose some ethical issues if used illegally for spying purposes but certainly has some interesting aspects if you ever lose your very expensive Windows Mobile smartphone. Tracking and locating your phone is quick and simple but the actual recovery is left up to the individual. The software and service is available for $29.97 USD per year. You can go to RecoveryCop for more details.

Everywhere I go nowadays on the subway, I see people with an Apple music player of some kind. Various iPods, iPhone and the iTouch are certainly popular. I on the other hand use a traditional MP3 player or a Windows Mobile device for listening to music. For me, it has always been a Microsoft Windows CE based PDA for listening to music. There are a number of reasons why I stay with a Windows Mobile device but the main one is that most of my music is in a  Mp3 format.

What does this mean anyways when MP3 files are a popular file format?

When I first started out in listening to digital Mp3 music on a mobile device, this was true but now there are a number of different music file formats that are more popular now. What does this mean for someone that is just getting into buying a digital music player for the first time?

First not all file formats are created equal. To start, someone has to take the original music from the CD or another audio source and convert the audio file into a digital music file that can be played as a file on a PC or digital music player. Various file formats have been created over the years to balance the level of sound quality and the amount of file storage required for the song.

Originally the MP3 file format was one that was favored to minimize the file size over maintaining maximum sound quality since memory was limited and expensive. The trick was to remove the very high and the very low frequencies that would be least missed in the overall songs sound quality. This lead to a music file being approximately 1 megabyte per 1 minute of music (lossy). Newer more audio rich file formats (lossless) are closer to 10 megabytes per minute of music.  If you plan on buying a new music player nowadays, they start with around 2 gigabytes and go up in storage capacity built in. 2 gigabytes can store almost 2000 MP3 files but only about 200 lossless audio files. It would make sense to get music in a lossless file format if the sound quality is very important to you.  If you are considering buying a non Apple music player, make sure the file format you plan to listen to is supported on the music player first since each maufacturer has their own selection of file formats supported.

One popular format that has about a 2:1 file compression format is the Apple AAC. This format is used by all Apple products and other third party music players. File sizes are large but the sound quality is definately superior over standard MP3 file formats. The important issue to note is that all digital music players are created to handle certain file formats only. Therefore you truly need to understand the formats and get a music player that supports the file format you will be using and be aware how or where you intend to get the music files from.

If you have a large collection of CD music then you can spend the time to convert the music to the appropriate file format. Use the software that comes with the music player or download any of the dozens available online. This process is very time consuming and can easily takes days if not weeks for a large music collection. Most people now download from various commercial websites like the Apple iTunes Store. This saves you the hassle of converting your CD to a music file and also easier to get and organize your music. 

The trend now is to get an Apple music player of some kind for the convenience and the great sound quality. The only down side for some is the higher price tag for the devices compared to other music players on the market. Before you jump into this category, do your homework and decide which file format works best for you based on price of the device and file access convenience.

HERE is a good link to more information about the various digital music file formats.  

New Nintendo DSi Coming Soon 

Nintendo DSi - Image: Globe and Mail

Looks like Nintendo continues to innovate and produce new products that consumers will flock to. With the economy the way it is, it is good to see a major manufacturer stepping up to the plate with a new offering in the mobile device market. The latest offering has :

- A slightly larger screen. (8.25 cm. now instead of the 7.6 cm. on the older DSLite).

- Dual camera. One facing the user and one on the outside.

- Standard SD memory card slot. Supports 4 Gig on up.

- Support for music playback. The Apple AAC file format is supported. No Mp3.

The DSi continues to support the touch screen feature and is slightly thinner over the older DSLite. At an expected $200.00 Canadian price tag, Not sure how popular this will be at first but it will do well in the long run with access to over 850 games already available on the DS platform. You can go HERE for more details.

In the late 1990′s, Palm Inc., released the Palm Pilot which started the PDA recolution. Basically the Personal Digital Assistant was born which allowed you to do more than just track phone numbers and play simple games. Hundreds of productivity applications turned into thousands of applications that ranged from being FREE to costing over $20.00 USD. Certainly, the Palm Pilot was not the first handheld device o the market but was the first to truly introduce the masses to a handheld productivity device.

Microsoft also around this time released through their hardware vendors like HP a number of devices which ran a compact version of Windows in a handheld device. These devices were more like a mini laptop. A clamshell design with a screen on one side and a chiclet keyboard on the other. These devices ran Windows CE which looked like Windows but was a far cry from being compatible to the full blown Windows desktop. Microsoft eventually released units that looked more like the Palm with more hardware and  an operating system with more potential.

It’s has been over a decade now since these humble beginnings and the PDA category seems to be quickly disappearing. It is not that the need for handheld productivity devices are nolonger popular, it’s actually the opposite but the actual user base is leaning towards minimizing what they carry. This means instead of having a cell phone and separate PDA or laptop, many users are relying on devices like the various Smartphones from Palm, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Googlephone, Symbian, iPhone. Being connected to the office, cliwnts ans family on the go is very important in this age of online explosion. Social networking sites are also making Smartphones more important.

In the coming months, a range of new devices will certainly appear in the marketplace that will make the decision when purchasing a new Smartphone that much more deficult. I will update you as the latest developments present themselves.

Windows Mobile Devices Grow Up

Windows Mobile devices like all Smartphones on the marketplace suffer from a really small screen. When you are playing simple video games or checking the odd text email, it is OK but for most productivity activities, a real screen like on a laptop is best suited. There has been the ability to enhance a Windows Mobile device with a cool accessory called the REDFLY from Celio Corp. The device consists of a larger screen and keyboard that accepts the signal from a Windows Mobile devices wirelessly and allow you a full screen view of your work and the website.

When the REDFLY was released in  early last year, the retail price was $499.00 USD. The price was certainly beyond the reach of the average since the unit is not a true laptop. There is no internal processor, no internal memory, hard drive and no CD/DVD player. At $499.00, the price is close to a low end laptop. In many cases, the price of the REDFLY is more expensive than the actual Windows Mobile device that can be connected to this unit.

Here are some of the advantages that the REDFLY has going for itself.

- 800 X 480 screen size instead of the (240 X 320 /240 X 240 / 320 X 320 / 480 X 480 / 480 X 640) smaller screen sizes

- Internal battery on the REDFLY last about 5 hours on the C7 model and 8 hours on the C8N model.

- You can connect wireleslly to the REDFLY using the built in Blueooth of the REDFLY and your Windows Mobile device.

- You can also connect via the USB port on the REDFLY which will also recharge your Windows Mobile device at the same time.

Now at the $499.00 price tag, what the REDFLY offers is still very pricey. Now that the cost has come done, the REDFLY is more reasonable for the average user.

The C7 model has a 7 inch screen size and has a retail pricing of $199.00 after a $30 rebate.

The C8N model has an 8 inch screen size with a video input port and has a retail pricing of $299.00

At these prices, the REDFLY is truly a great addition if you require a very light and functional add-that allows you to be productive on to go with your Windows Mobile Smartphone.

You can go to REDFLY for more information.

It not often I see a Windows Mobile device with loads of features built right in. The latest offering from Nautiz is certainly one that has everything I would expect in a fully featured Windows Mobile device.

Nautiz - X5 Windows Mobile V6.1 - Image: Nautiz

Specifications:

I am impressed with the these features right away:

1: Very fast processor – 806 Mhz

2: Large memory standard – 256 MB RAM and 512 MB Flash ROM

3: Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity

4: Full VGA screen

4: 4400 mAh battery for a full work day of power

 The Nautiz X5 is one device that certainly will meet most industrial and commercial uses straight out of the box. The casing is dust and water resistant plus can handle drops from as high as 1.9 meters therefore accidental drops while standing should be no problem. Go to http://www.nautiz.com/nautiz-x5-facts.asp for more details.

Now that Microsoft has announced a new online mobility store to compete with the Apple iTunes store. The war for the shrinking disposable income will begin. In the end, the battle will not only be between the different operating systems and hardware only. A good percentage of iPhone and iTouch users are not happy with how the iTunes store operate. This frustration also translates over to the software developers that must wait months for their newly completed title to be approved and made available for access on the iTunes store. Developers will soon have a non Apple store where titles can be made available for sale quickly and potentially with a greater return in profit. This is done via a third party installer called Cydia. Cydia will allow you to choose from a number of different download sites and even from sites that will be offerring commercial titles for purchase.

I have been an avid developer on the Windows Mobile platform and there has never been any limitations on how or where a mobile title was available for download. Either a title can be downloaded as a standard PC file and synced over to the mobile device or installed directly on the device via a CAB file. The Windows Mobile developer has always had the ability to sell their titles via their own online store and indirectly via stores like Handango, Clickgamer, PDAMill and many others.

Mobility Products in Canada

I have always admired the Apple mobility products from afar. Being in Canada means that we have typically been 2 – 3 years behind the United States in access to innovative products from around the world. The conservative nature of the big carriers and business in general within Canada means, the “Wait and See” attitude is always front and centre.

With the increasing number of foreign investment and foreign company takeovers in Canada means that more aggressive marketing and leadership is starting to appear in Canada. I truly hope this trend to be market leaders in new technology continues and we start to see more innovative products created around the world become available in Canada quickly. Many techies have always taken advantage of travel to the States to purchase mobile products months and even years before hitting the Canadian marketplace.

I have been waiting for the Eye-fi product to be released directly in Canada and it finally arrived via Black’s Photo around November of 2008 according to Eye-fi. I have not seen it yet locally in any of the Black’s stores but is available online. This at least is a great start to see an exciting product available in Canada less than 12 months after being widely available in the States. More companies can learn from a fast growing company like Eye-fi and penetrate the Canadian market where many tech savvy users exist.

I say this because, this is the perfect time to take your career to the next level and by being forced to look for other employment is the perfect opportunity. Those coworkers that still have their jobs will be too busy worrying if they will be next or not. If you decide to take it easy and collect Unemployment Insurance then you are certain to get depressed and be in a more serious situation than you are now. The trick is to take advantage of this time and focus your FREE time on creating new avenues.

Simply Red – Money’s Too Tight to Mention

The idea is to forge ahead and to find new employment that allows you to move forward down the road to bigger and better opportunities. Here are a few of my suggestions for those that have recently lost their jobs:

- First think long and hard about if you still want the same job you had been doing. This means researching the market to see if the position you held still has potential for hire.

- Make a list of all your skills and separate them from your job title. Like having years of managerial experience in job type A does not mean only A type jobs are available for you. Managerial skills translate over to many categories that may not be related to your previous position.

- Apply for unemployment insurance ASAP. The money you get even for that short period of 2 – 4 weeks you maybe off work is money in your pocket. Processing time is required therefore it may take 2 – 4 weeks or longer before the payments start coming. If you are laid off for longer, the sooner you apply the quicker you have some funds coming in.

- I would think about looking for a “New Position” and not a “New Job”. A “New Job” just sounds too depressing and a “New Position” sounds more optimistic.

- Consider a pay cut anywhere between what you are being paid now and what the Unemployment Insurance payments are. Once you get a “New Position” that has potental for advancement, your salary should increase over time back to the same level or higher.

- Keep in touch with all your coworkers using a good contact management software on your Smartphone or PDA. If anyone you previously worked with has gone on an interview and does not get the position, have any important interview related information passed along to you immediately so that you may prepare and apply for the same position. It is not a competion to see who can get the job but being mutually agressive so that one of you gets the available job in the end.

- Share your “new Position” searching experience. Do not do this alone. Spend time together using your laptop, smartphone, PDA at a local HOTSPOT and look for that “New Position” together. Working together as if you were employed will help liven your spirits and make it easier to deal with the situation.

- Update your resume and share this with friends, family, and others in your group. By having others involved in your job search will make it easier to achieve that “New Position” sooner.

- Get resumes from others and compare them to yours to ensure your resume style and presentation is simple, easy to read and to the point.

- Have your resume in PDF, MS Word and TXT formats on your PDA, Smartphone or cellphone so that you can email it from anywhere. Having different file formats will allow you to send it immediately if a potential employer requests the resume in one specific format only.

- Also consider creating a “New Position” by coming together as a group of unemployed individuals and starting a new business. This may be a real challenge for those that have never had their own business before but the challenge could be really rewarding, very fruitful and lead to acquiring a “New Position” in an area you never would have originally considered.

- All countries will recover from this economic down turn and before the recovery happens, people still need to eat, sleep, deal with health issues, and entertain themselves. Money will be spent and paid to someone offering what these spenders require. Find a service or product in these niche market areas and fll the niche. Do not take advantage of those that are unemployed and desperate.

There are all sorts of useful PDA related applications available with many around $10 and some even FREE. The programs range from Financial Managers to keep track of bank details and credit cards,  Budgeting software, Expense Trackers, Time Management and many others. Check out apps.tehnobrains.com for various selections that work on Windows Mobile, iPhone, Java enabled phones and Blackberry.

Budget Manager Deluxe - Image: Clickapps

My Employees  is one software which can be useful to store details of your coworkers and use this to mutually help each other in passing along potential leads and employment opportunities. Contacting a potential employer at that critical junction can mean the difference of the position being filled by you or someone else in your group. Being at the right place at the right time is not just a saying but happens for real to many people everyday.

My Employees - Image: Sparkle Solution

Use email, SMS messaging, Facebook, Twitter and all other automated resources you would normally use while employed to your advantage. Do not abandon them because you are nolonger employed. Get the word out to all your colleagues that you are out of work and now aggressively looking for a “New Position”.

Good Luck