PDA News - Smartphones not so smart, T3 cases, Bluetooth 1.2

Smartphones user-unfriendly & unsupported, says study

From VNUNet.com:

Consumers are holding back from using more of the applications available with
smartphones because the devices are complex and support from mobile operators
is poor.

...

Not to gloat, but this has been obvious for months. The twin difficulties of creating an easy to use interface for such a tiny screen, and trying to get wireless providers to do anything, ever, is choking what life there was out of smartphones. Providers don't want to support the machines, and the manufacturers literally can't offer support for their models on so many different networks.

http://www.vnunet.com/News/1148597

Tungsten T3 leather, metal cases

Proporta is finalizing their aluminum case for the T3, and they expect to ship in 2-3 weeks. As a bonus for early-birds, all pre-orders will recieve a neoprene slip case to protect their T3 while they wait for the aluminum. Price is US$35.

http://www.proporta.com/detail.asp?id=575

Xigma Style Japan has flip-top and bi-fold (book style) leather cases for the T3, which are available in black/black, black/red, and black/beige. Price is US$39, plus $11 shipping to outside Japan. Ships in approximately 3 weeks.

http://xigma.jp/en/03/tt3_u/index.html

Bluetooth version 1.2

Last week members of the Bluetooth Special Interests Group announced creation of the 1.2 version of the Bluetooth specification. The most notable improvement from the 1.1 standard is improved frequency hopping, to minimze Bluetooth's vulnerability to static as well as its notorious ability to jam other wireless communications.