I've been blogging here at From My Pocket for just over two years now.  When I set the blog up, I also licensed the pocketprimer.com domain name.  My intention all along has been to use the pocketprimer website as a landing page for the blog. 

Late last week, I finally got around to creating the pocketprimer.com website.  It is still under development, but check it out (www.pocketprimer.com) and then post a comment here, letting me know what you think.

A few weeks ago I was in Seattle attending the Microsoft MVP summit.  It was great to meet other Windows Mobile enthusiasts (aka MVPs), and I got pretty pumped up at what I learned there.  Microsoft's got a lot of neat things in the works and we all have a lot to look forward to.  Some things you can check out now include:

Microsoft My Phone beta

Here's a new free service that is in beta testing and is only available by invitation. You'll have to sign up for the service and wait for an invitation from Microsoft.  My Phone syncs the data from a windows mobile phone (contacts, appointments and tasks) to a secure website that only you can access. Once the data is synced from your windows mobile phone to the web you can sync it to a new device.  I don' think you'll have to wait too long for an invitation.

I've used My Phone to sync my data to the web and it works great.  I am looking forward to Microsoft's continued refinement of this service in the coming months.  You can check out Microsoft's My Phone forum here.

Live Mesh beta

Another free service that is in beta testing.  You may have already used live mesh to link together your multiple computers to keep them in sync with one another, but did you know that you can also connect a windows mobile device to the mesh?  This is a fantastic way to keep things in sync, and also to access important files from any other connected computer on the web.

I've recently been giving Live Mesh a test drive and I'm liking what I've seen so far.  I've set up my mesh to sync my desktop computers with my UMPC (this is the computer I carry to work and travel with).  I've hooked my windows mobile device into the mesh too.  I'm still feeling my way around this service, but see lots of potential here.  Check out Microsoft's Live Mesh Mobile forum here.

Microsoft Tag beta

Microsoft Tag provides a way to create and read two dimensional bar codes that can be used in numerous scenarios.  I'll admit, I'm not sure how much I'll use this software, but I see lots of potential.  Here's what Microsoft says about Microsoft Tag:

"Microsoft Tag creates unlimited possibilities for making interactive communications an instant, entertaining part of life. They transform physical media (print advertising, billboards, product packages, information signs, in-store merchandising, or even video images)—into live links for accessing information and entertainment online.

With the Microsoft Tag application, just aim your camera phone at a Tag and instantly access mobile content, videos, music, contact information, maps, social networks, promotions, and more. Nothing to type, no browsers to launch"

 

Microsoft Recite

Here's a neat free application that allows you to record short notes to yourself and then search through them later on (verbally).   I am intrigued by this software and look forward to installing it on my handheld and playing around with it some. 

Things to Look Forward To This Year

Windows Mobile 6.5

Of course, you've probably all heard about Windows Mobile 6.5 and maybe seen some screenshots and early videos of it.  I can't say much more about Windows Mobile 6.5, but I think you'll like it once it's finally released.

Windows Mobile Marketplace for Mobile

Windows Mobile Marketplace will be a place that users can go to purchase and download certified software for their mobile devices.  You can learn the specifics of the Marketplace on the Windows Mobile Team Blog.

Windows Mobile Widgets

Windows Mobile 6.5 will include a widget platform that will provide an easier (and prettier) user interface.  You can learn more about Windows Mobile Widgets and see some sample screenshots on the Windows Mobile Team Blog.


I returned home energized and enthusiastic about Windows Mobile and my blog. 

Lately I've been thinking about the blog and where I'd like to take it over the next year.  You may have noticed that over the last week I've been posting a series of short articles about SKTools.  I think I can post useful content in regular, short articles like these while at the same time I work on the longer more meaty articles that I've typically written for the blog.

Thanks to you all for reading my blog!