In Cell phone adventures John D. Carmack II, co-founder of id Software and creator of such title as Wolfenstein 3D, Doom and Quake extolls the vitrues of developing software for mobile phones.

I’m not a cell phone guy. I resisted getting one at all for years, and even now I rarely carry it. To a first approximation, I don’t really like talking to most people, so I don?t go out of my way to enable people to call me. However, a little while ago I misplaced the old phone I usually take to Armadillo, and my wife picked up a more modern one for me. It had a nice color screen and a bunch of bad java game demos on it. The bad java games did it.

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Bluetooth Wireless Technology in the Car Could Be the Solution. Read More…

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Without question my new favorite phone is the BlackBerry 7100t, I can’t go anywhere without it and am totally hooked on having my email available to me at all times. And unlike other phones where the novelty kind of wears off after a couple of weeks, I still use most of the data functions all of the time – even after having it for more than 60 days. They call it a Crackberry for a reason! Read more…

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I just received this email from T-Mobile regarding their recent data outtage suffered by Sidekick users. Curiously, I haven’t received anything from T-Mobile to re-assure me that my account is safe from the much-publicizied attacks on celebrities personal data. Is anyone home at T-Mobile?

Dear Valued Sidekick User:
T-Mobile USA and Danger, Inc., developer of the hiptop wireless solution that powers the T-Mobile Sidekick, confirm that full service has been restored. As such, you can effectively use the e-mail, Web and Instant Messaging (IM) functions on your device as you normally do.
We sincerely apologize for this interruption in your Sidekick service. In recognition of the inconvenience, we will be providing you with a $20 credit on your next bill.
Additionally, to thank you for your loyalty, we will launch a “Customer Appreciation” Section in the Download Fun Catalog in the very near future. In this new section, you will be able to access great new content – free! We will e-mail you with details when they become available.
Once again, thank you for being a loyal T-Mobile Sidekick customer,
Your T-Mobile Sidekick Team

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Even a few months later, you’re still able to smell the yummy aroma of leather from the beautifully crafted leather Vaja iPod case. I was skeptical when it first arrived – beautiful and a deep shade of turquoise. This case (for my iPod mini) looked too nice to actually use. However, the color and leather have resisted wear and tear much better than my previous plastic case did. It almost looks better with a little time. The Vaja case is solid and padded and although I have not dropped the iPod, I think it would help pad a fall. What I like about the case is that it is unique, like my iPod itself.
The Vaja iVod mini (US$60) features:
- Headphone access
- Screen protector
- Easy access to all touch functions
- Syncs & charge through travel cable
- 2 2/8″ x 3 6/8″ x 7/8″ inches
Vaja is famous for all kinds gadget cases and with the help of their site, it is easy to craft a great gift or choose something for yourself, including engraving and many color choices. The case is simple and has even stretched slightly to fit the iPod even better. The lines are simple and it adds protection, but without any clips or protrusions it fits nicely in my bag. The leather makes the slick surface more gripable, but it still slides into my pocket nicely.
Vaja cases are available from InnovaCases.

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Swedish case manufacturer Krusell International AB (see my BB 7100t case review here) has posted their lists of the top 10 best-selling PDAs/Smartphones in February 2005. The list is based on what mobile phone cases the company sold globally over most the past month. Read More…

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The guys at PhoneScoop have posted a news item about Nokia’s brand-new 6230i mobile phone that plays M4A protected files from the iTunes Music Store. Read More..

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Several months after its first sighting in the Philippines, the Cabir worm that infects mobile phones running Symbian OS with the Series 60 user interface has turned up in the U.S. More at ComputerWorld…

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According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), SAR or Specific Absorption Rate is “a way of measuring the quantity of radio frequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body.” For a phone to pass FCC certification, that phone’s maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6W/kg (watts per kilogram). Manufacturers published SAR levels represent the maximum SAR level with the phone next to the ear, a level obtained through required FCC tests.
URLs to check you phone after the jump…

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A ComputerWorld story talks about RIMs announcement of their first WiFi BlackBerry:

At this week’s VoiceCon 2005 event here, Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM said its new BlackBerry 7270 offers users secure access to IP telephony features, corporate e-mail and other capabilities. The new device, still in beta-testing, was demonstrated yesterday at booths for both Nortel Networks Ltd. and 3Com Corp. Both companies have Session-Initiation-Protocol-compliant switches and servers that can provide access to corporate data and voice, as well as external voice networks.

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