Not really.

However, I really think this article gets at the nub of how far Microsoft thinks the user interface needs to be re-thought. If you can create a user interface based on the Dance Explosion machine, then what's next? Perhaps a user interface based on the game Twister?

I like this little service that let's me use Google and a variety of other services to pinpoint my location. I'm using a mobile device that is with me pretty often to keep it up-to-date.

Here's a bluetooth conference tool that I'd like to have. I'll have to wait, but that's okay. For now I'll rely on the pathetic speaker in my V3 RAZR.

I paid to upgrade my DSL service through TDS Telecom. The upgrade has made my service worse. I paid for 760Kbps service prior to this and thought I could upgrade to 4Mpbs service for the same price. It turns out that the circuit they changed me to is longer (nearly at the practical limit) from my house to the DSLAM. The result is that I paid to upgrade and ended up with worse service. Not done trying to fix it, but it may mean moving to a new, altrenative provider.

Opera has introduced some voice recognition software aimed at televisions.  Apparently (here, read for yourself), Opera would like you to control your DVD and TV systems with a voice command system.  Of course, the system Opera has in mind is unidirectional -- the TV doesn't talk back as far as I can tell.

I'm not sure this will catch on, but so many people are doing work on speech recognition and systhesis that it's hard to believe that it won't be a part of our lives eventually.  It leads me to wonder about the other devices that could be controlled by voice: what about all those devices in your kitchen or the environmental and entertainment systems in your car?  How about: "Hey!  I'm feeling a little cold in here.  Turn the temp up a notch!"  And, lo!  The car's heater turns up a little bit.

I'd also like to control my iPod using voice control, but that seems a bit beyond Apple.  It's possible to do voice recording on iPods, so why not?  In fact, why can Microsoft pull it off for PocketPCs and not Apple for the iPods?

I bought an MPX220 to replace a failed and frustrating MPX200.  I like this phone and contrary to the press it recieves, it seems to be a good little performer for basic SmartPhone tasks (to do lists, email, etc.) as well as voice services.  Motorola has Bluetooth working well for this device (with one exception which I'll post about later).  Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and my new two-year committment.

But would I have made that committment if I'd known that the next in the MPX series was going to be like this report in engadget?

I admit it: I'm addicted to new technology -- like the MPX220 that I bought to replace the MPX200 that I posted about earlier (more about that later).  Three sites that consume my attention on the gizmo front are:

- Gizmodo; a justly famous site for tech freaks;

- Pocket Lint; a UK site that deserves more attention in the US; and,

- Pocket PC Thoughts; the best site for those who use Windows Mobile PDAs (worth mentioning for those who own an Axim is the site devoted to Dell's PDAs: AXIMsite)

Right now my Axim X30 has the following software installed:

Adobe Reader (Built-in Storage - BIS)
Burr Oak Software pTravelAlarm (Main Memory - MM)
CNetX Pocket Slideshow (MM)
CodeCity City Time (BIS)
Dell Foldable Keyboard (MM)
Dinarsoft HandyLauncher (MM)
Dinarsoft HandyMenu (MM)
Dinarsoft Memaid (MM)
Handmark Yahtzee (BIS)
Hexacto Links (BIS)
Microsoft Cubicle Chaos (BIS)
Microsoft Dig Dug (BIS)
Microsoft Money 2005 (BIS)
Microsoft Ms. Pac Man (BIS)
Microsoft Pacman (BIS)
Microsoft Pocket Streets (BIS)
Omega One 1-Calc (BIS)
Paragon Software CETuner (BIS)
PCcounselor PI to Mem (MM)
Phatware Calligrapher (MM)
Phatware HPC Spell (MM)
Phatware Phatnotes (MM)
Phatware Phatpad (MM)
Pocket Notepad (BIS)
Ramon de Klein Tetris (BIS)
Resco Audio Recorder (BIS)
Resco Explorer 2003 (MM)
Resco FTP Add-in (MM)
Resco Keyboard Pro (MM)
Resco Picture Viewer (MM)
Resco Picture Viewer Sync Module (MM)
Resco Registry Add-in (MM)
Resco X-ball (BIS)
SBSH .net PocketBreeze (MM)
SBSH .net Sample Icon Set
Spb PocketPlus (MM)
Spb Time (MM)
Synctel PalmChess (BIS)
TwoPeaks Googhelper (MM)
TwoPeaks TripTracker (BIS)
VeoPhoto Traveler 130S (MM)
WebIS Mail (MM)
WebIS Pocket Informant (MM)
WebIS PI 3D Icon Pack (MM)
WebIS PI Square Icon Pack (MM)
WebIS Square/Blank Icon Pack (MM)

Congress is holding hearings to reconsider the ban on mobile phone use in airplanes.  I am filled with dread.  Obviously, the safety issue is a joke and has been for years.  The evidence that there is no significant risk to radio and navigation systems from mobile phones ranges from the scientific to the tragic.

No, what I really worry about is the person next to me talking in an annoying tone of voice for the length of the flight or until her batteries run out (whichever comes first).  Ugh!

IBM is selling its computer business to a manufacturing group in China.  In the story from c|net, it is clear that one of the implications of moving computer manufacturing to a company in China is that there may be less influence by Microsoft.

After all, goes the reasoning, China has been very independent in adopting Linux for small systems and IBM, after all, is a substantial supporter of UNIX clones.  Could it be that the sale of IBM's PC manufacturing business to a Chinese concern is the jump start that makes Microsoft a little less influential in the desktop operating system business.

To be honest I can't quite tell if that will be true.  If the market is redirected to developing countries and if China's notorious approach to intellectual property continues it may lead to some substantial changes.  After all, the new company will be the third largest manufacturer of PCs.  On the other hand, Microsoft has already entered the Chinese marketplace and the company's most serious efforts at new research seem to be taking place in the new commercial centers of China.  It will be interesting to see if the sale has any impact at all -- maybe next holiday season more than my iPod will have the words "Made in China" on it!

Here is an article about making sure that your car runs Windows.  Lots of people have cars, so it makes sense that Microsoft would like to have a Windows license for each one.  To me, even Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded seem too heavyweight for a car.  Does that mean that we further split the Windows family to deliver it on further devices?  That means that Windows development is split -- does that mean that there are fewer people to work on the features and bugs in the platforms that I really use?