More so, people wanted to know what I thought about HP waving the white flag.

I’ve had difficulty getting all my thoughts together. Partly because I’m in mourning. Partly because there are so many “what ifs” running through my mind I can’t get them sorted.

Do I feel dissed over HP’s decision? You bet. After all, like many here, I’m not just a Palm/webOS user, but a loyal advocate. I grew my business with many tools, including Palm products. I’ve used webOS to further streamline small business consulting operations. This, despite the fact that nearly 75% of my clients and colleagues use iOS, and the remaining use Android. I’ve been the lone webOS user at many small conferences, at Starbucks, even at the local bar. I’m the one who tells my husband to wait in the frozen foods aisle for a minute because, “I just saw someone texting on a Pre!”

Over the past few days I’ve received several messages, and one in particular sums them all up:

“It looks like it is time for you to join the iPad team! What are you waiting for?”

Well, I’m waiting for plenty of things…

• Disposable money. $600 worth.
• True multitasking.
• Flash. I’ve heard all the arguments, but if you had to incur the cost hundreds of thousands of small business and band sites do in order to have Flash content converted properly, you’d understand why it’s an important feature to have – at least today – on mobile devices.
• The ability to do what I want, how I want. iOS5 is going to be slick as heck. But, you know what? I want all those syncing features they tout sans cloud.

But there’s another key reason I’m not switching any time soon…

I don’t have to.

My devices work. Why spend money needlessly?

Despite the TouchPad being discontinued, it will still talk to wireless printers, still run Flash components and sync data.

Even if webOS itself is nixed, there are loyal developers and the Homebrew community who – unlike big business – will stick around until it gasps its last breath. These guys have never been paid the recognition they’re truly worth. They do what they do because they love the platform and have an affinity for making the rest of our experiences better. To them, jumping off the ship even while sinking is cowardice. Rather, they play the captain, stay with the ship and bail water as best they are able.

HP says the company will continue webOS software development, and hopes to partner with a hardware manufacturer. Some speculate it’s too late for that, and, perhaps it is. But this webOS user will keep forging onward until the powers-that-be, or her devices, just totally give out.

For those freaking out over the madness that is HP and webOS, I can only offer this one piece of advice. It comes from my husband – who’s said it to me hundreds of times as I’ve often (and, quite excitedly) try to make webOS the topic of conversation:

“Hon, it is just a device. It’s not like you couldn’t manage your life before it existed.”

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/08/24.
| Permalink | 5 comments
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: HP TouchPad, smartphone, Technology, webOS

I am not alone…

Read full article at Practical eCommerce

Pamela Hazelton is a senior contributor to Practical eCommerce.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/05/27.
| Permalink | Be the first to Comment!
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: conversion, Ecommerce, mobile commerce, practical ecommerce, smartphone

Keeping up on the latest technology isn’t as easy as we’d like. Fortunately, there are some key sites that keep us in-the-know. From the latest mobile devices to computer software, these guys feed us the news, reviews and opinions of key players in the industry.

Note: I much prefer getting my tech news via RSS. However, if you don’t mind getting fed the headlines as they happen in your Twitter stream, give them a follow.

• Engadget (@engadget) These guys write a great deal about mobile devices. Why should you care? Because you want to know how to better cater to customers. Also, why not use reviews and data to make your own decisions? Visit site ->
• Mashable (@mashable) While their Twitter account posts everything “Mashable”, there are great tech articles posted daily. Or, you can avoid the extra stuff and just visit the Tech & Gadgets section of the Mashable web site.
• Gizmodo (@gizmodo) This controversial source (their the ones who possessed the stolen iPhone) for tech news covers a broad spectrum. Learn about the latest Windows and Mac OS, including browsers and release notes, as well as the latest in smartphones and tablets. Visit site ->
• Wired (@wired) Wired covers a variety of topics – cars, multimedia, entertainment and tech. I find most all their articles interesting, but if you want to read specific topics, they have web site sections for Tech Biz and Gadgets.
• Lance Ulanoff (@lanceulanoff) He’s the editor-in-chief for PCMag.com. He also follows other tech stories and shares accordingly. Lance keeps me updated on the latest in PC and Mac news, as well as mobile devices and other gadgets. You can read all his PCMag.com articles here.

As always, there are plenty of folk worthy of mention. My picks are based on current trends and my experience. Got a must-follow tech-related account to share? Comment below.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/04/29.
| Permalink | Be the first to Comment!
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: #FF5, smartphone, Technology

You’re either married to a device or a carrier. Pick one.

Read my editorial at webOSroundup

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/02/28.
| Permalink | Be the first to Comment!
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: smartphone, webOS

Many companies are waiting to see just what HP is going to do with Palm’s critically acclaimed, yet not-so-popular webOS. Users like me are left wanting more, while the Android and iPhone markets continue to grow.

This past summer I gave 10 tips on shopping for a smartphone. I think if more people really took the time to do the research, they’d find that the “obvious” choice is not always the ideal one. That’s not to say that webOS devices are for everyone – I wholeheartedly agree that the iPhone, Android and Blackberry have their place in the market for good reasons. However, the sheer number of complaints people post about their devices every day speaks volumes about the need to know what you’re buying before you sign a long-term contract.

At the same time, companies need to realize that there are users of each OS that are both loyal and passionate about their devices, and they, too, are seeking all-important services and apps. This is why Palm launched the PDK, which allows iPhone app developers to easily port their software to work on webOS.

Which brings me to the most common reason app developers and companies aren’t focusing on webOS at all. Despite many announcements concerning the future of webOS, Palm’s the underdog. Many developers (like Evernote) would rather wait and see if the platform gains momentum. The problem is, waiting could be opening the door for competitors to jump in and convert users on-the-fly.

It’s already happening – many independent developers are using service APIs to fill the void. The Foursquare webOS app was developed by @zhephree. While he had Foursquare’s support, the fact that a groundbreaking service which relies entirely on mobile needed to rely on an outsider to reach millions of additional users says something. Even Square co-founder Tristan O’Tierney said that company was playing wait and see with webOS.

For developers and service providers sitting on the sidelines, unwilling to take common business risks, while waiting to see if they can benefit, I have two letters: H…P…

That’s right, one of the biggest names in tech – Hewlett-Packard – has already announced it’s going full steam ahead with webOS. If that’s not enough reason for companies to get in on the ground floor in order to reap big-time benefits later, I don’t know what is.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/10/20.
| Permalink | 3 comments
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: android, iphone, palm, smartphone, webOS

Was it really an addiction? On one hand, it wasn’t like I couldn’t function if I didn’t replant those strawberries. I didn’t bounce off walls if crops withered, and I didn’t freak out if another mafia of the same size beat me to a pulp on Mafia Wars. I didn’t spend money to buy an unwither ring or other cool “pixel” creations.

You can't just slap a cartoon avatar in a "real" withered field and call it "real". But he sure looks cute, doesn't he?

But, there’s many hours – probably hundreds – that I lost, never to be recouped, playing these games. In the mornings, I took shorter walks in order to keep up with my farming. In the evenings, I’d often crawl into bed in the wee hours. It was all outside of work time, yet I couldn’t help but wonder: Just how much more would I have accomplished if…?

Now, I know. In April I upgraded my Palm Treo to a Palm Pre Plus. Within weeks my passion for all those games on Facebook dwindled as I opted for the simpler things in life. Apps like Scrabble, Crosswords and Solitaire can be launched from the main screen on my webOS device. Games? Yes. But certainly more brain massaging than clicking my mouse a thousand times an hour. I get more enjoyment out of learning new words than I’ve ever gotten mastering crops on Zynga’s most popular social-based game.

While I’m on the topic of social-based, by the way, there are a few more things I’ve discovered:

• Most of these social-based games aren’t really that social at all. Sure, you “compete” against others (your friends) and send and receive gifts, but you never really converse about your farms or mobs or restaurants. It’s all point and click tools that do all the talking for you.
• I couldn’t play any of these graphical games with my husband, yet we often enjoy completing a crossword during dinner.
• I can pass time and stimulate my brain at the same time, and thus have more real-life time to spend with real people at real places.

This week marks a three-month hiatus from social gaming. Every now and then I think about hopping on and seeing what’s new. And that thought leaves my mind just as quickly. It’s not that I’m concerned I’ll relapse, but, to be honest, I’m content just swiping my fingers across the screen of my Pre to form words, solve puzzles and otherwise “think” about what I’m doing.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/10/13.
| Permalink | 2 comments
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: facebook, smartphone, webOS

Gmail is attractive because it’s free, accessible from anywhere and most smartphones support its usage. All arguments of potential security or privacy risks aside, I’m willing to bet the majority of Gmail users didn’t research various email clients or services, but rather, accepted Google’s service by default.

So, for those a little green on the topic, here are email options, clients, and services explained.

If you run a web site or online store, chances are the host provides access to a mail server. This is what allows you to use an email address at your actual domain. You can port that domain mail over to Google (or another web service), or use an email client (like Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird).

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need a third-party cloud service to sync emails across multiple accounts. That’s where IMAP comes into play.

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) allows you to access email just as you would the standard POP method, but instead of downloading complete messages to a local computer (and, in return, by default removing them from the mail server), the email itself remains on the server so it can be accessed by additional devices (such as a laptop or smartphone). When you transfer messages to folders, or reply to them, that action is also stored on the server. This means you can access both incoming and outgoing emails, as well as filed emails, across all devices.

What makes IMAP so appealing is you don’t have to transfer files from one device to another in order to maintain a record of everything. For example, when I travel, I can still access organized folders and all my replies from my Palm Pre. I can quickly refer to a message I sent to someone a month earlier, providing I haven’t removed the data from the server itself.

Post Office Protocol (POP) requires that I transfer complete mail files from one computer to another, and unless I configure email software to leave a copy of the emails on the server, they cannot be accessed from any other device, including webmail.

There’s another popular method of handling emails across larger organizations. Microsoft Exchange Server is much more robust and also integrates calendars (scheduling), contacts and tasks. However, Microsoft Exchange is often overkill for smaller business because it costs additional money and often requires a network technician to configure and maintain.

For small businesses with fewer than five computers, IMAP configuration is relatively simple to handle, allowing managers and owners to see how employees are responding to messages. This, integrated with a calendar or task system is usually sufficient for a small business’ needs.

The most popular email software is Microsoft Outlook (Outlook Express for older systems). In my experience, Outlook does a good job when it comes to basic email functionality and scheduling tasks. However, its files can often become bloated and the software itself can in turn be a resource hog on a local machine. Last year I permanently switched to Mozilla Thunderbird and couldn’t be happier. For those on a Mac, Mac Mail is actually pretty robust and supports multiple account creation as well.

I’m surprised how many business owners use Microsoft’s default Word-integrated settings for their email accounts. This is mostly because Microsoft products are the most popular targets amongst hackers and virus developers.

HTML formatted emails certainly look prettier, but when it comes to conversing with customers, unless you’re running complete system scans to ensure you’re virus-free, you should consider sending messages and replies in a simple text format.

Selecting the right service and method is key to maintaining organized and clean communication. Fortunately, there are many tools available, most offering guided setups and additional features to streamline correspondence.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/09/30.
| Permalink | 1 comment
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: cloud computing, email, smartphone

This past weekend I had a conversation via Twitter with Square co-founder Tristan O’Tierney. Through several tweets, O’Tierney explained that his company (which gives iPhone and Android users the ability to swipe credit cards on their devices) saw webOS as a flawed system, showing no true signs of success.

“We’re still playing wait and see with webOS. Not many signs it will be successful yet.”

My goal was to advise O’Tierney, as I do many other app developers, that Palm has tools in place to save on development time and port apps to an additional audience, requiring a smaller financial investment. The Return on Investment (ROI) on an already-developed iPhone app is much lower because porting it to webOS does not require a complete rebuild.

O’Tierney then explained how webOS had a significantly smaller user base, then ended the conversation with this:

“Like SJ says: pick the winners early, save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.”

The statement is nothing new. Many startups and currently-successful founders and CEOs utter these words to the masses, especially to investors. However, such a statement is often used to excuse companies who are ignoring millions of other potential customers.

In 2007, when the iPhone was first announced, Blackberries and Treos were the big players. What would O’Tierney have done then? Would he have abandoned the most popular devices in order to focus on one that cost way more in terms of production and to the users themselves? Would he have abandoned those devices – that had very loyal user bases – and jumped in with both feet to concentrate solely on the iPhone?

Focusing on iPhone development first tends to make sense for any company wanting to hit the ground running. It has, by far, the largest pay-for-app user base, and is widely used by key business folk. Next in line is Android, and, after that, it’s pretty much a free-for-all depending on which developer you talk to. These companies, though, are missing the bigger picture when it comes to building a solid business plan.

The goal for companies seeking the broadest audience shouldn’t be developing for only the “big” platforms, but for all possible OS devices. Why? Because “little guys” matter, sometimes even more.

Square, for example, could be missing out on some rather large clients – ones that could account for a decent percentage of transaction fees. After all, replacing portable, yet expensive, machines with smartphones is very appealing to companies who sell products and services at conferences and conventions. It’s also appealing to locally owned restaurants that deliver.

There’s more, though. Companies like Square needn’t be ignorant of potential competitors. I advised O’Tierney that there’s already competition in the works. The thought that every Square-using iPhone toter would stay with them simply isn’t logical when other services may offer better integration with existing bank accounts, and better reporting methods. The fact Square hasn’t infiltrated the same platforms as, say, Foursquare, Gowalla and even Oprah mobile makes the argument to bring in additional, competing services more compelling.

Cornering every smartphone with a service doesn’t guarantee others won’t enter the arena, but it can lessen the impact if you have loyal customers across all platforms.

Another myth about picking the “winners”, as O’Tierney said, is that there’s no guarantee they won’t be the big fish tomorrow. Argue all you want that nothing can outperform the iPhone, but no one can predict the future. In fact, Square, like any other company, was formed despite a huge risk that users – despite any surveys or studies – would even want to swipe cards on their devices, or that they’d trust Square, an unknown, with their money. So, Square took a risk, and in turn, asked users to take a risk. But when it comes to welcoming in a smaller number of risk takers? That’s a whole other story.

I love Square’s core business model, and would love to see it cater to every possible user. Unfortunately, like many other companies, their current success has made them think the rest of us don’t really matter.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/09/08.
| Permalink | 6 comments
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: mobile apps, smartphone, Technology, webOS

Disclaimer: My thoughts on statistics aren’t a secret and I’ve written about how they can fool us. Just the same, Nielsen’s report is interesting in several respects.

According to the report, we spend nearly a third of our time online, with more than 22% of that time devoted to social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

More interesting, though, is the company’s findings for mobile device use. According to Nielsen, email is still the most popular activity on smartphones and feature-rich cell phones. I find the results somewhat surprising, mostly because research I’ve done across non-business users leans toward social media being the primary action on smartphones, with a decent number of folk reporting they haven’t even configured email accounts on their mobile devices.

According to Nielsen, we're spending the bulk of our smartphone time composing and receiving emails. But are these findings skewed by the survey of specific types of users? Or are more users not making clear via social networks how much they spend using their devices for social media as opposed to email?

Perhaps a vast number of respondents are business users. This matters not, though, because the simple fact that people are reading and composing email with their devices shows us that email marketing campaigns are still a great way to communicate with current and potential customers. This also means, however, that we need to focus more on making sure the emails being sent are properly rendered across all devices.

The report also tells us what we should already know – people sure like to Tweet and update their Facebook profiles via their smartphone. Actually, the bulk of my online friends upload pics more via smartphones than computers.

Also not surprising is the usage of video sites, like YouTube. Apps make videos load more quickly than surfing mobile sites, and most devices have a means to upload video to the YouTube servers as well.

Overall, the report is pretty compelling in what it covers. While it wouldn’t be wise to simply take the numbers at face value, we also cannot ignore that smartphones are being used to complete many of the same tasks people already do on their desktops. If you had any reservations about  paying more attention to a mobile-friendly site for your online business, this should serve as a reminder that mobile access is a significant part of the “big picture” when it comes to the future of the web.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/08/31.
| Permalink | 2 comments
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: email, mobile commerce, smartphone, social media, statistics, Technology

Remember Everything. That’s Evernote’s motto… but, is it really? This company seems to have forgotten what it takes to “grow”.

Evernote is a cloud service that allows users to keep track of many things – such as notes, ideas and outlines. It syncs with computers and smartphones via software.

The Evernote service launched in 2008 and took more than a year to reach a million users. They were once “nobodies”. This month they reached a 4 million user-base. (see report)

Evernote Corporation claims its service works with every device – for smartphones that’s primarily done via installed apps. However, earlier this week webOSroundup reported Evernote’s plans to cease development for webOS.

“We’d love to see the WebOS platform succeed at HP, but our resources are limited, so the WebOS client is currently on the “back burner” while we wait to see what happens with the platform.” – Dave Engberg, Evernote

In short, Evernote isn’t interested in catering to a smaller user base, and that includes fixing bugs in an actively-served app from Palm’s catalog.

It’s not that webOS users themselves are being totally ignored. Yesterday webOSroundup ran another article, whereas an Evernote employee said he was passing the complaint to the CEO, who would converse with management. Which… makes me wonder…

How big or small is this company? From the emails, there are at least two regular employees (or reps), a CEO and management team. Perhaps not a goliath, but certainly larger than the majority of app developers. By ignoring user-bases Evernote is telling us the company is either short-staffed or doesn’t want to spend the money on an outside developer.

The way I see it, if Evernote bails out of webOS just to sit, and wait, and see… well, then the webOS community doesn’t need the service. It’s that simple. Hey, there are plenty of competing services and it’s no secret that more stellar cloud services are being developed. If Evernote wants let its competition grab a bigger piece of the pie, that’s Evernote’s business. If the company’s not willing to take the risk on a great platform – that definitely has potential – why should users take the risk on its cloud services?

While this may make sense to companies vying only for the largest group of potential users, Evernote shouldn’t ignore smaller groups, comprised of truly dedicated users who tend to be more vocal with their support of a product. To ignore those users is to forget from whence Evernote came.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/08/26.
| Permalink | 11 comments
|Add to del.icio.us|
Post tags: cloud computing, mobile apps, smartphone, webOS