• Can't get enough of these new Expansion Packs:
  Here is a new Expansion Pack called the FlyJacket (and no you won't be able to fly with it!!!!).
  This new sleeve, developed by LifeView will allow you to connect your iPAQ to any video source (in and out). Not only will you be able to launch presentations, but you'll also be able to store them thanks to the built-in CF slot!!! Can't wait for this jacket to be available!!!!
  Check it out here.

• Can I use XML with my Pocket IE???
  I'm not going to go into this one more time! The answer is simply YES!!!!
  Here is the full info from Microsoft!

• Nothing more than a complete PocketPC benchmark:
  Ever wondered how fast your PPC really is? Well here is your answer: The PocketPC Benchark.

• Merlin or PocketPC 2002:
  Well the question still remains, though the rumors have been circulating. The new PocketPC OS (only) will be most likely called Merlin, even though browsing through the ActiveSync 3.5 help file reveals some interesting news about PocketPC 2002.... Will you really be able to sync your PowerPoint files????
   

• Merlin Pictures fake!!!!!!
  Apparently the so-called spy pictures of Merlin posted on many PocketPC sites are fake! From an anonymous source that is currently working with the new PocketPC OS, I was told that they have nothing to do with what Merlin will look like!!!
  Oh, well, it was a nice try, and yes I'll keep them posted because they look damn good!
  Hopefully Microsoft will use them for inspiration!!

• First NYC PocketPC user's group meeting:
  Last night's first meeting of the PocketPC user's group was just a blast!!!! Richard Bell, (Doc) did an excellent job putting this together, and the future of this club is very promising!!!
  Among the number of PocketPC users present, all shared the same passion about our little favorite mobile device!
  What I noticed was that most PocketPC owners are computer fans or do work with computers to some extent! Also one other common point about all users (or most of them) is the number of "toys" that they add to their machines. While Palm users are completely astonished that one of their follow users has a modem (God forbid), PocketPC users are just laughing, pulling out their Dual PCMCIA sleeve with wireless card and 2GB drive!!!!
  Anyway, I wanted to thank everyone that showed up last night. It was amazing and I can't wait for next month's meeting! Also, the food was excellent :), I just wish I had taken some more sandwiches home with me -:)....
  Until next time...

• Another busy day!
  Today I'm running a full schedule. I'll be traveling all over town (NYC). I'll make sure to catch up on the "missed" news tomorrow. Here is a little something to hold you over until Wednesday:

• dbView:
  This little utility that I found a few days ago can be very useful in situations where you need to view the content of your PocketPC database. Just so you know, your contacts, appointments, reminders and much more info is stored under this powerful format. dbView will open them up and let you make changes! Several weeks ago, I had a little problem with my iPAQ's alarm that even when the check box was empty, it would still go off!!
  Well dbview is an easy fix to this little bug!
  Download it here

• NYC first meeting of the PocketPC user's group:
  If you live in NYC or you're going to be around today, make sure you stop by to the first PocketPC user's group meeting. Here is the location: Vanderbilt YMCA 224 East 47th Street (at Lexington Avenue), 7pm sharp!!! Make sure you bring your device with you!!! Should be tons of fun, and I'll be there... don't you wanna see me????

• As promised yesterday:
  Here it is, the stylus review that I was talking about yesterday. The Stylus Central was kind enough to provide me with a variety of different units for comparison.
  Well you won't be disappointed; there is one for everyone! Just pick yours and order it today!
  Read the review here!

• New input solution:
  Many people have already heard or even used Calligrapher. Calligrapher 6 has been available since the beginning of the month for PocketPC users. To help you decide whether this solution might be better suited than Transcriber, here is a review of this application posted by Ryan Adrian on the PocketPC.com website.

• H3100 going cheaper and cheaper!
  Well this is good news for those of you who haven't placed an order for their H3100 yet! CompUSA is now offering a big rebate on this iPAQ model!!! You should be able to get it for a mere $149 after a $150 in store rebate and $50 mail-in rebate!!! Not too bad!!! It probably won't last too long so hurry and get yours today (and trade in your Palm at the same time! :) ).

• Dockers mobile pants:
  Though these have been out for a little while, I thought I would mention them as well. Dockers is offering a pair a very nice pants that will hold many accessories, such as cell phones, PDA and more thanks to extra large pockets. Priced at $52, you should be able to get it online or at a local Sears store!!!
  Check them out here.

• Sneak preview at the new PocketPC OS: Merlin:
  Merlin, the new PocketPC OS, will be based on the current version of WindowsCE and should be available toward the end of 2001 (maybe beginning 2002). Just to give you a little preview of it, here are some pictures: looking good!!!

Conduit Pocket Slides, finally coming out:
We can't really complain about it since the guys at Conduit Technologies are doing an awesome job! The release was planned for the PCExpo 2001 in NYC but has been delayed, allowing more time to work on an even better product! The demo that I saw at the NYC PCExpo 2001 was already working great but the new version 1.0 is supposed to be even more efficient!!!
Check it out here.

• Another good deal:
  Here is another good offers from DreamPages.com... Buy an iPAQ by September 30^th (either a H3650 or H3670) and get a PC Expansion Pack free or you can get a CF Expansion Pack with case and 2 year Compaq warranty!!! Not too back!!!

• This week:
  As you already know, this week has been a total nightmare for myself, spending many hours reformatting my server (twice!!!). Well, everything seems to be back in working order (thanks to the backups), but I will still keep the FTP down for a few more days!!!!
  The following reviews will be added this week:
  Styli test, Photogenics, GM Silver Slider 2, and a Socketcom digital cell phone card review!!!!

• PocketPCpower.net team slacking off?
  Haaaa, no news for the past couple of days, what's the matter! Well, sadly enough I caught a bad virus or not on my server (it was just running a little slow), forcing me to rebuilt my system from scratch! This is the reason why there has been no post for the past couple of days but this will surely be fixed by the end of the day!!! There will be many new reviews posted, and some fantastic news... Keep checking it out.
  Also two reminders:
  The first NYC PocketPC user's group meeting will be held this coming Tuesday at 7pm, so I hope to see a lot of new faces!
  The Stowaway keyboard contest is still going, and with lots of response, I'm glad to say that there are already some potential winners!! Keep emailing us your entries....

• iPAQ raising the standards!!
  It's just little to say that the iPAQ is the best PocketPC currently offered. Sure the upcoming models of Toshiba, NEC... do have some nice features but so far none of them goes beyond the 206Mhz mark! Sadly to say but the one year old iPAQ is still top notch!
  Users will now be able to compete with desktop machine!
  Times2Tech, and PCE2000 are now offering an unreal 128MB Ram upgrade for all iPAQ users! Even the 3100 series will benefit from this upgrade!
  The H3670 with its big 64MB of RAM just came out a few months ago, and URThere has yet to offer an @migo with 64MB of RAM.
  Now for about $350 you can upgrade your wimpy 32MB H3600 (or even wimpier 16MB H3100) to a blasting mobile device (yes it ain't cheap but as we always say, you get what you pay for!!!).

• HP getting up to pace!
  HP just announced the production of their new PocketPC, the Jornada 560. This new model will have a 206Mhz Strong-Arm, and a Type II CF Slot. Nothing to brag about!!!

• Active Whatever!
  The new ActiveSync is finally out! Version 3.5 is available for download here. Among the claimed improvements, only the new icon and new sounds are noticeably different!

• Remote control your desktop with your PocketPC!
  Here is a nice little application by BITWEEN, an Italian based company, that will allow you to remotely view and control your desktop with your PocketPC! The application is currently in beta but should be available sometimes next month!

• GM Dual Expansion Pack revised!
  George Mosquera is now offering his talents to modify the bulky Dual Expansion Pack for iPAQ. Though the transformation does not significantly reduced the size of the "monster", it sure gives it a much nicer appearance. Also price at $55, this mod is just a mere expense for those willing to spend the $200 for the initial expansion pack!
  Check out GM great Silver Slider mods here.

• Siemens Multimobile:
  I did talk about it a few months ago, but I just found out a little more about the new Siemens PocketPC.
  The PocketPC, called the SX45, will feature a 150Mhz MIPS, 32MB of Ram, 65K colors, GPRS-enabled (that means that it is also a cell phone), Type II CF and MMC slot. It will sell in Europe for about 1000€ (that's about $800). No plans yet on releasing the unit in the US!!!

• Vaja new cases:
  Vaja has just release two new iPAQ cases. One will allow you to use your iPAQ with a PC Expansion Pack (nothing new here), but has a nice feature that let a wireless card "stick out" of the top of the case. The second new iPAQ case is for iPAQ with the massive Dual Expansion Pack! Nice work!

• Start developing on PocketPC:
  Here is a great new site that offers free eMbedded VB and VC tutorial to easily create applications for your PocketPC! If you already have some previous knowledge of VB or VC, this should be a very interesting site to visit! Also beginners should understand the concepts.
  Check it out here: http://www.dev.isinteresting.com/

• Cheap H3150:
  Well I'm not sure how much time Mike Cane spends looking for these kind of deals, but thanks to him, PocketPCpower.net users will be able to get an H3150 (monochrome iPAQ) for a mere $166!!!
  Check it out here.
  Also the same company offers the new H3670 (64MB of RAM) for an amazing $624!!!!
  Find it here.

• Ricochet going down:
  Metricom, the company that provides the Ricochet high speed wireless access announced the shutdown of its service. Metricom filled for bankruptcy, and will held a public auction on August the 16^th.
  This announcement came at about the same time as Verizon revealed that New York City's service is 3G ready!!! That mean faster wireless access!!! Though the system is 3G ready as of now, users won't be able to benefit from the increase transmission speed until later this year when mobile phones, compatible with the new connection, are made available!

• Sync-N-Charge USB cable:
  Datanywhere is just came out with a new USB cable for iPAQ. This cable will allow you to recharge and synchronize your PocketPC at the same time, and without any additional AC adapter.
  Check out the full review here!

• New NEC PocketPC:
  I already talked about it a little while ago, but there is some more info about the new NEC PocketPC: it will have a StrongArm 206Mhz (what a surprise), dual CF slot, and SD slot!!! That's just what I was waiting for... with Bluetooth rolling out soon, it'll definitely be a plus to be able to store data and use a Microdrive or other storage media at the same time!!!
  More info on the infoSync site.

• Scary Linux Handheld:
  Serial System, a Singapore base company, just revealed their terrifying new Lunix Handheld. The device, called the Terapin Mine, will hold a blasting 10G (yes you read correctly), and should be available later this month for nothing less than $599. Although the Terapin Mine looks more like and MP3 player, it goes far behond with a PCMCIA slot for wireless networking. It can also store pictures and music! When you think about it, it's not that much more than a 64MB mp3 player!!! Good deal!

• No DRM5 ebook on your PocketPC!!
  That has been one of the most talked about topic for the past few days; Microsoft will not release a new version of Microsoft Reader that could have allowed PocketPC users to import Owner Exclusive ebooks to their machines. The reason given was hardware compatibility issues with PocketPCs!!! Oh well.. guess we'll have to wait a little longer!

• iPAQ for Architect:
  Here is an interesting review by Fred Kasparek, on how PocketPCs can be used for CAD presentations!!! Nicely done!!! Check it out here.
   

• Do-It-Yourself iPAQ Slip case with belt loop:
  This review posted on pocketpcpassion will explain you how to make your own "iHolster". Hmm, after thinking about it, why bother! The iHolster looks good and is so cheap that it's not worth the pain (especially if you don't have the tools!!). Anyways, check it out if you're handy!!!

• Attachment Folder Fix:
  Here is a little program by Marc Zimmerman allowing you to fix the folder location of your attachment files. I wish I had it yesterday instead of having to mess with the registry to fix this too common problem!!! Check it out here, the download is free!

• URthere replies to Compaq:
  Shortly after the announcement of the iPAQ upgradeability to Merlin (sometimes toward the end of the year), URThere announced that their @migo PocketPC will also be able to flash its ROM to the newest Windows CE version!!!

• Pocket Streets 2002:
  Just a word about it: it's out! I don't really feel like saying anything else since PocketStreet is really nothing fantastic! Don't get me wrong, the software is great and I use it, it's just that Microsoft is really getting on my nerves changing version each year, not to mention that if you have maps for PocketStreets 2000, they just won't work on the 2001 or 2002 versions and vice-versa!!! Pointless!!!!
  

• Code Red Worm!!!!
  Looks like the web hasn't finished seeing these annoying worms!!! Well anyways, due to some minor performance issues on the FTP server, I have decided to take it down for a few days, until our Internet gets back on its feet!!!