JackG blog

• It comes with WM6 which is a great improvement from Windows Mobile 5. It is faster and works well with my Vista desktop for syncing (there is a simple app now to turn off the Proxy if you want to tunnel from your phone through your desktop to the Internet).
• Internet connection speed is better with 3G than the old Edge.
• Connectivity to my WiFi or 3G just works! The old phone required going into connections, etc..
• WM6 allows you to close running applications in stead of having to go to the system settings to really close them.
• Works with new Office file document formats (e.g., .xlsx, .docx) for viewing in Office mobile.
• It does a better job of multi-tasking particulary with Internet connectivity and voice.
• The bluetooth stack includes A2DP which brings me to one of the coolest features. Stereo bluetooth! I have tried several (stereo) Bluetooth headsets. The Motorola S9 rocks my world. No hissing, excellent battery life, controls for Windows Media player on the headset as well as controls for voice commands and hands free.
• I like to listen to music while playing poker so having my mp3's on my 4gb micro card and wireless stereo headset is the bomb. Note that you can really save phone battery life by doing the following. Set the phone to enable BT, turn on the headset, start playing your favorite music with Windows Media player, then press the power button on the phone which puts it into stand by (screen shuts off, etc..). On the headset, press the play button. Music plays while the phone screen is off and in battery conserving stand by.
• I like the touch screen (borrowed from the HTC Touch) that allows scrolling in apps like the browser and Word with a flick of the finger. Granted the pressure sensitivity and full functionality isn't as good as the IPhone.
• It has a built in GPS which I use with Live Search, Google Maps, and stamping my photos with the Lat/Long.
• The camera is 3.0m but the quality could be better. I miss the "flash" that was on the 8125. It wasn't really a flash but rather a light I used as a flashlight.
• I LOVE the exchange email push feature. My mail and calendar are always up to date. Previously I would *get* my email but its nice to have it there when I launch Outlook.
• I still use Spb time for my alarm since I believe they still haven't fixed that phantom alarm issue with WM I spoke about in a previous post.
• One of the main reasons I love the phone over the IPhone is; BT (bluetooth) which can be used for stereo headsets, a Modem, and the myriad of Apps you can get on a WM device (like PocketTV to view .mpeg).
• The IPhone has a better screen resolution as well as a bigger screen. The WM Truetype setting does help.
• I really like the breadth of input methods - Scroll wheel, touch screen, scrolling via touch, the buttons, the slide out backlit keyboard, and the Stylus.
• Oh yeah, the screen tilts up as well. I really like this feature (particulary after turning off that annoying swoosh sound).

Want to get even faster cell data connectivity (3.5G), or reassign the PTT button, or change some annoying registry settings then check out these links;

http://www.jongma.org/KaiserTweak/ 

http://www.htcwiki.com/page/ATT+TILT

Remap PTT button:  http://forums.wireless.att.com/cng/board/message?board.id=cingular&thread.id=66438&page=2

My wish list for the perfect phone: Better resolution (can skip VGA due to power but get something at least as good as the IPhone), Smaller form factor with a bigger screen or another screen in place of the keyboard.

I have been asked on several occasions about recommendation when visiting Maui, Hawaii.  So, after writing this down several times, I  thought I would put it in one location.

 Snorkeling and Snuba diving

·          There is nothing like the weightless feeling of the warm salt water snorkeling offers.

·          Definitely take the Four Winds II catamaran to Molokini.  It is a much shorter route than leaving from Lahina.  The pier is also closer to the South end of the island.  I prefer The Four Winds II boat captain, Brennan.  Tell him the Searay guy from Bellevue referred you :-).  The company is Maui Classic Charters (http://goo.mauicharters.com/).

·          I prefer to take the morning cruise as the trade winds pick up in the afternoon.

·          Do I need a scuba certification to Snuba? 

·          No.  On one visit, my then, 9 year old daughter, went snuba diving (http://www.snuba.com/about_snuba.asp) twice, so it is safe.  Just make sure you clear you ears with every variation of ~5 feet up or down.  They give you extensive training on the ride over.  You'll also have plenty of time to snorkel, eat, etc.. After the dive.

·          Molokini (http://www.mauicharters.com/new_site/fourwinds_gallery/thumbnails/01molokini.jpg) is a top dive site.  With up to 150 feet of visibility 360 days a year (http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/html/sites/molokini.html), this protected snorkeling and diving site is like swimming in an aquarium! 

·          If your like me and the movie Jaws changed your comfort zone in the water, you will enjoy the protected feeling of the crater.

·          Definitely get a weekly rate on snorkel gear from Maui Dive Shop.  Snorkel bob's seems a lot cheaper but once you get the better quality gear and child specific quality gear, they are on par with price.  Maui dive is also open almost all the time and located all over the place, so returning your equipment is much easier. I once returned our gear on the way to catch a red eye out.  Make sure to get a fish guide and defogger with your snorkel gear.  They throw this in for free.  Don't skimp on the quality of gear.  Don't buy defogger, it's mild dish soap and water.  Or, you can also use saliva ;-)

·          A must for sorkeling is black rock up in Kaanapali (http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/beaches/BlackRock.htm).  A sea turtle came up in front of my daughters viewing board while we were floating on the surface.  To this day, she tells people she rode a sea turtle.  Not exactly what I wanted to hear come out of her mouth when we were talking to the whale and turtle environmental people.

·          Park in the hotel parking garage.  Bring cash.  A secret I discovered (Don't tell anyone), is that you can also rent a cabana or umbrella and eat/drink at the resort (outside) even if you are not staying at the resort.

 Where to stay

·          I prefer the South end as the weather tends to be a little better.  I prefer the Kihei area.  There is also a good natural foods grocery store (http://www.greenpeople.org/searchResults.cfm?memid=3104) in Kihei, so if you like PCC or whole foods, you'll like this place.  It's on the main road.  In fact, that's the great part about Kihei - everything is off the main road (see my restaurant recommendation).

·          We prefer to stay in a condo since you get a kitchen.  My wife pack dry goods in a separate suite case to save money. 

·          We once stayed in Kaanapali that was a condo, but also provided a maid service, had a daily dance and rum punch activities, 2 pools, and great snorkeling.

·          Make sure to check if your room is "on a beach", that is actually a beach you can easily access and swim on.  Many places have reeds and sharp rocks.

Haleakala Volcano - Sunrise Crater

·          Biking down the mountain to the sea is a cool experience, but getting up at the crack of dawn is tough.

·          Don't make the mistake I made.  Make sure to tuck in the plastic pants  (it is cold in the morning and sometimes wet) they give you into your socks or use rubber bands.  The drag this creates is amazing.  You shouldn't have to pedal the entire ride.  If you find yourself peddling to keep up, you know something is wrong.  I was totally worn out as everyone else coasted along.

 Luau

• The Royal Lahaina Luau is the best, but you must register months in advance.  The Wahalea (just south of Kihei) Luau is a good alternative.  Make sure you choose the Luau with the experienced fire dancer and free drinks (mmmm Rum Punch).  Be sure to arrive early as it is first come first serve and you can choose a table near the stage.  And if your lucky you can see the sea turtles gathering just before sun down.  The sunset is amazing.
• If you’re a carnivore like me, make sure to have the beef at the Luau.  Sure, the roast pig from the pit is good, but the beef is even better!  And the Hawaiian bread is a must.

Lahaina

·          A great place to shop and see one of the biggest/oldest banyan trees in the world (http://gohawaii.about.com/cs/photogalleries/l/bllahaina9.htm). 

·          Park South of the Banyan tree, everyone else parks North.

·          My daughter also took surf lessons (she was 9 at the time), which is a blast since the instructor can stand out in the surf, the waves are consistently small, and you can watch from the pier. 

·          If you go on the weekend, there will also be outdoor vendors selling cool trinkets and art under the tree.

 Dinning

•  Big Wave café. http://www.mauiweekly.com/restaurants/index.php. Early bird special before 6pm means you get one free dinner.  The food is unbelievable and priced reasonably even if you miss the early bird special.
• I also prefer the Luau food to pretty much any other restaurant.

Mahalo (Definition, Boat),

JackG