I have asked this question before, but want to know if I am the only one. When you add a calendar entry, contact or anything else that others do not see, do you still use proper capitals and punctuation? I do all of the time no matter what I am typing.

If you run a Wordpress powered site it can be tricky using a mobile to publish rich content that looks like the rest of your desktop published content. After many months of searching I have finally found a way to do so on my iPhone. Here are the tools I have been using-

BlogPress

There are a few options for updating blogs on the iPhone including the official WordPress app which doesn’t allow formatting at this stage and as such is only really suited to simply home blogs that do not require links or any formatting. BlogBooster boasts a WYSIWYG feature which is unique on the iPhone and many other features that mean it should be the leader in this field, but in my experience it is highly unreliable and I have found that 2 out of 3 posts created on it struggle to even make it to PDA-247. The multi-tasking is very poor and flipping between apps, which you need to do to create a blog post simply does not work most of the time with the text disappearing for no apparent reason. Multi-tasking is also very slow because the app continually tries to synchronise the site.

BlogPress has worked 100% of the time for me so far; multi-tasking is fluid and leaves your work in the exact state you left it and the html inserts are cleverly implemented. It isn’t WYSIWYG, but it doesn’t need to be because anyone can work with it. Simply highlight some text and choose your insert. Images are a bit tricky because a left aligned images drops the text one line and a centre aligned image truly is centred. There is no option for no justification. Besides that I can make most posts look the same as they do from a desktop.

Mobile Safari

Any browser will do for this task and Mobile Safari includes the only two options you need; saving images and copying the full URL you are viewing. Copying text is also a snap and works perfectly for this task.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Copying images from a web page is OK, but rarely will the image be the size you need. Crucially Adobe Photoshop Express allows you to select a part of an image and save that separately. It doesn’t do scaling and I am still looking for an app that does that, but it just about does what will be needed for most bloggers. Out of interest it also does borders and effects which could be useful for some sites.

My Writing Nook

I am using this more and more to create content and it has proved invaluable for not losing data. I am also using it to write a book at the moment and its simplicity is what makes it work so well.

These are the only tools I need to manage 247 on the go and I am 90% successful in posting what I need to. BlogPress needs a small amount of work on image handling and Adobe needs some more options, but it is great to finally be able to manage the site when away from home. Total cost: £3.58.

This is a quick reminder that you can donate to PDA-247 if you enjoy the content every day. Details are on the about page and there are some perks for any donation of $5 and above. It is very difficult to come up with iPhone or Android related perks due to the way the software is sold, but I continue to hunt out deals for you if I can.

There are a few adverts on 247 and the goal of any site is to use income to cover the costs and turn a profit, but if I am honest it is not always easy to do that. The site will continue no matter what, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks for listening:)

StopMail for the BlackBerry platform could save you from being crushed under the weight of emails coming into your inbox. It’s cheap and I am amazed no one has thought of it before now. Available here.

Allows you to disable an email account without having to actually remove the account from the device (Helpful for work accounts).
Keeps emails from playing catch-up when the account is re-enabled.
Allows you to schedule a blocking period for each account.
Keeps the block settings across device reboots as long as it is enabled.
Saves the last 20 emails deleted by the app, since last reboot, so they can be restored.
In app help menu.

I so wish that Nokia would stop closing services that people are relying on. The latest to face the chop is Ovi Files which is predicted to close on 1st October by Nokia Experts.

As much as I love Nokia devices and services, I also get extremely frustrated with them from time-to-time. A couple of years ago it seemed like they were buying up as many services as they could with the hope that a global Ovi services offering would provide you with all you need. We have seen several of these services come and go (N-Gage, Mosh, Nokia Backup, etc.) to the point where I am now very leery of jumping onto any service they launch. I hope Ovi Maps never goes away, but you never know. Today we here that Ovi Files is shutting down on 1 October 2010.

AndroidCentral has posted a hands-on video with the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which you can view below. It looks a lot better than I expected. More details here.

This is off-topic, but very clever indeed. Tipp-Ex has produced a YouTube video the like of which you will not have seen before. Click this link to check it out and to make your own short films by typing a single word.

Skyfire is submitting its mobile browser for approval by Apple and the big news is that it will bring Flash capability with it. Will be fascinating to see where this one goes over the next few weeks. Thanks to Claire.

Skyfire’s Cloud Technology May End Public Standoff Over Flash on “iDevices”

Mountain View, CA – August 31, 2010– Skyfire is submitting a mobile browser to Apple’s App Store capable of playing Flash video while adhering to all Apple’s guidelines regarding HTML5 open-video standards on Apple devices.
Skyfire 2.0 for iPhone follows on the heels of Skyfire’s recent launch on Android, which has now become one of the most popular third-party browsers on Google’s mobile platform, with nearly a million downloads in its first three months.

“We’re excited to submit a mobile browser for iPhone and iPod Touch that addresses Apple’s concerns regarding Flash deployment on mobile devices,” explains Jeff Glueck, CEO of Skyfire. “Rather than enabling Flash, Skyfire will translate videos into Apple standards. Skyfire supports HTML5 but at the same time, we recognize that the transition to HTML5 for 100 million Flash publishers will take years. We hope to bridge that gap and solve a problem for consumers who want access to millions of previously-unavailable videos on their iPhones.”

TomTom has announced two new high-end GO LIVE devices, the 1000 and 1005. Here follows the press release-

Berlin, 02 September 2010  – TomTom today announces the availability of its high-end GO LIVE range, packed with hot new features and super-charged with HD Traffic™ information. Introducing the TomTom GO LIVE 1000 and TomTom GO LIVE 1005 with larger 13cm (5″) screen.

“Our new flagship GO LIVE 1000 range is the future of driving,” says Damian Woodward, VP sales and marketing at TomTom.  “With functions like a finger-friendly touch screen, HD Traffic information, slick magnetic mount, speedier route calculation and our richest maps yet, these super satnav devices will get drivers to their destination faster, safer and smarter than ever before.”

The fully connected GO LIVE 1000 range has been built for people who love driving, but who hate traffic.  With free HD Traffic™ for a year, drivers now gain access to the most accurate traffic information available, to outsmart the jams and always arrive on time and stress free.

The powerful LIVE Services bundle also includes Speed Cameras, providing mobile and fixed speed camera alerts, helping drivers stay safe and avoid fines, while Local Search with Google™ helps pinpoint shops and businesses in the area. And drivers don’t have to worry about the weather spoiling their plans – this smart device range receives up-to-date local and five-day forecasts courtesy of TomTom Weather.

The GO LIVE 1000 is TomTom’s first device range to feature the capacitive Fluid Touch screen which lets drivers pinch to zoom in and out of maps, or scroll through menus with the tips of their fingers. The screen responds intelligently and sensitively to even the lightest touch, making interaction more responsive than in any of its predecessors.  And combined with an extra-wide touch screen measuring 13cm (5″), the GO 1005 features the clearest view on the road ahead with even easier operation and functionality.

For a quick start to the journey, TomTom has created the new Easy Click magnetic mount.  Docking and undocking is now easier than ever – even with just one hand.  In fact, simply holding the device against the mount glides the TomTom GO LIVE simply into place.

And there’s more: a powerful, super-fast computer processor allows speedier route calculation, while maps with IQ Routes™ use real speed data collected from millions of users to calculate accurate travel and arrival times.  Plus every device comes with new, richer maps covering two million kilometres more roads across 45 European countries and more graphical details.  These include even richer Points of Interest data – including business phone numbers and opening times – putting even more local information at the drivers’ fingertips.

Combining cutting-edge features and enhanced usability, the new TomTom GO LIVE 1000 and 1005 devices really signal the arrival of the “super satnav”.

Availability and pricing
The GO LIVE 1000 will be available in September and the GO LIVE 1005 follows in October.  Pricing is £249.99 (RRP) for the GO LIVE 1000 UK/Republic of Ireland whilst the version with Europe mapping is £279.99.  The GO LIVE 1005 Europe is priced £299.99.

Also announced today was the Via and Via LIVE range of GPS systems-

Berlin, 02 September 2010  TomTom today launches the brand new TomTom Via LIVE, bringing the most accurate traffic information and a more enjoyable driving experience to millions. TomTom Via LIVE comes with enhanced driving features, including full Voice Control and hands-free call answering as standard. Designed for people who love to drive, the device comes fully connected, providing unprecedented live knowledge of the road ahead.

With TomTom HD Traffic™ bundled free for the first year for all customers,
Via LIVE is built to get drivers through traffic quicker than any other traffic service. Moreover drivers can stay ahead with up-to-date speed camera information on both fixed and mobile cameras en route, as well as live weather updates and local Google™ business address searches.

“TomTom Via LIVE is designed to put the pleasure back into driving, with the knowledge of having the most advanced traffic information available, in a smart and simple to use device,” says Damian Woodward, VP sales and marketing at TomTom.  “With Voice Control, we’ve taken the hassle out of navigation and added powerful new features, all of which add up to a more easygoing and enjoyable journey.  Via LIVE users get incredible TomTom innovation at an attractive mid-range price.”

PDair has already released two cases for the HTC Aria which some of you may not be aware of yet. Free Worldwide shipping is also currently available-

Aluminum Metal Case for HTC Aria – Open Screen Design (Silver)

Aluminum Metal Case for HTC Aria – Open Screen Design (Black)

Watching the demo of Epic Citadel on an iPhone 4 is impressive enough, but take a look at a screenshot showing the details in all its glory. I have uploaded one here to give you an idea of how crisp and detailed it really is.

With so much going on at the moment the Motorola DEFY announcement has been somewhat overlooked. It is a dust proof and water resistant phone that will be best suited to those of you who lead active lives. No good for me then…

Motorola today announced DEFY™ enhanced with MOTOBLUR™. Motorola DEFY is a slim, pocketable Android™ smartphone that comes equipped with advanced Web-browsing capabilities and a 3.7” high-resolution touch screen display that provides edge to edge views of your favorite photos, videos and websites.

Motorola DEFY is dust proof and water resistant protecting you from life’s little challenges like a sudden rain shower, spilt drink, or dropping your phone in the sand. It also features a large, resilient display that has outstanding protection against scratch damage. CrystalTalk® PLUS vanquishes noisy environments with two microphones which intelligently filter out background noise and amplify your voice so you don’t have to shout.

More at the Clove Blog.

Sony has announced its Video On Demand service which could be seen as a rival to iTunes. It may need a little more content, but all competition is good.

Today at the IFA 2010 show in Berlin, Sony announced that “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity™”, a premium streaming video service, will be available this fall in five European countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.  With “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity,” customers can choose from hundreds of box office hits from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), NBC Universal International Television Distribution, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, as well as popular content from top local studios. Many movies are available in High Definition (HD) as well as Standard Definition (SD), and all can be rented at the touch of a button on Sony’s 2010 models of network-enabled BRAVIA® TVs and Blu-ray Disc™ players, and Blu-ray Home Theater systems.  “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity” has been available in the U.S. since April 2010.

“Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” brings together the features cited as most important by music enthusiasts. With access to a huge library of songs through the cloud, users can discover new music through channels personalized to their tastes on multiple devices and without the requirement to manage digital music files. The convenience resulting from this new consumer music experience will further enhance the value of music, thus creating new opportunities for the industry.  Details of the service plan will be announced in the future.

How often do you search for new smartphone software? I must admit to looking daily and use the site as an excuse for that particular habit.

In my review of the Motorola FLIPOUT I made the following comment at the end-

“People who want an Android phone want a big screen or at the very least something that looks semi-serious. People who want a trendy phone that is unusual and catches the eye will want to send messages, mess about on it and do little else. The FLIPOUT is a smartphone that looks like it should be on a teenage girl’s shopping list and thus it may struggle in both markets.”

Android hardware is being built that caters for every sector of the market. Power users who want to customer every aspect of the software have the Desire, Galaxy S and others. People who just want to try out Android can opt for the Pulse Mini, HTC Tattoo and a whole range of budget offerings which is growing by the day and trendy young things can go for the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini or the previously mentioned FLIPOUT.

The problem Android has, as I see it, is that it is a very busy operating system that comes with a huge number of apps installed. The manufacturers then include a selection of apps that they believe make it more functional and some even include their own layers on top which can make an Android phone feel very different to the next one. Android is quite cool because of this and offers much flexibility, but it also means that people moving up from a feature phone may find the interface and everything else far too cluttered to get to grips with.

I have reviewed a few Android smartphone so far and have not covered all of the apps on any of them so far, and dare I admit it, not understood all of them. Sometimes they feel as if they have been thrown into a phone and just left there for the user to discover on their own. I am fairly certain that if I owned an Android phone I would not use more than half of the included apps, and am just as certain that most Android users will use less than 25%. It is not a bad thing to have lots of apps built in, but when they get in the way it starts to make the entire experience feel cumbersome and unnecessarily complex.

Nokia does a similar thing with Symbian which can include too many apps and menu functions that are crazily long winded. This is the kind of setup that stops people sticking with a smartphone and Android and Symbian are two examples. The sells figures for Android suggest I am wrong, but I don wonder how many new Android users struggle with what is being sold as a consumer operating system on so many consumer designed phones.