PhoneTalk

Today Sprint announced it would be offering two new Android phones from Motorola, the XPRT for business users who require enterprise-grade security features and the Titanium, a rugged Android 2.1 phone that features Nextel Direct Connect.

The Motorola XPRT looks a lot like the DROID Pro by Motorola for Verizon. The new smartphone for Sprint runs Android 2.2 with MOTOBLUR, sports a full tactile QWERTY keyboard, has a 1GHz process, support for Adobe Flash 10, 5-megapixel camera with flash, and comes with a 2GB microSD card. IT departments will appreciate that the cell phone supports 256-bit AES data encryption and the ability to remotely enable pin or password lock, password recovery and data wipe on both the phone and SD card if it's lost or stolen. Although the Motorola XPRT isn't a 4G compatible phone it does offer world-roaming on both GSM and CDMA networks and can be turned into a 3G Mobile Hotspot with the ability to share its data connection with up to five WiFi-enabled devices.

The Motorola Titanium is the successor to the Motorola i1, Sprint's first Android phone that works with the company's Nextel Direct Connect. The new Android 2.1 Titanium sports the same feature in a military-grade casing. It also a has a 5-megapixel camera with a flash and comes with a 2GB microSD card.

The Motorola XPRT will be available in June, but there's no word on when the Motorola Titanium will be available. When more information is available we'll let you know.

According to The Official BlackBerry Blog, there's a new security app in beta that's available for BlackBerry users called BlackBerry Protect. The idea behind the app is to offer a way to help users find a lost BlackBerry smartphone, secure the data on the phone so that it can't be accessed, backup the data you do have on the cell phone, and of course restore all the information on your old BlackBerry to your new one.

The lost and found option has a couple of features. First, it uses GPS and cell-tower triangulation to help locate your phone on a map. In addition to locking the phone (only accessible by entering a password), it also displays a custom message on the phone explaining to the finder how to contact you. The application can also wipe all the data from the BlackBerry and microSD card over-the-air. But if it comes down to that for you, not to worry, you can get a lot of the data back since the application backs up contacts, appointments, memos, bookmarks, text messages, and tasks. You can even set the automatic backup to occur only when using a WiFi connection.

BlackBerry Protect is a free app that you can download from the BlackBerry App World Test Center.

The cell phones featured below (the Doro PhoneEasy410 GSM) look pretty straight-forward. The simple design and large numeric keypad makes it ideal for people who may have trouble with touchscreens or some of the smaller keys found on phones today. Besides appearing simple, these GSM cell phones from a company called Doro are all about ease-of-use, the ability to de-clutter available features, and most importantly help users in a time of need. How does that last feature work on these cell phones? Well, there's a panic button on the phone and if a user holds the panic down for 3 seconds the phone will send a text message to up to 5 designated contacts. If there's no response from those contacts, the phone will then activate the speakerphone and call those 5 contacts. One way or another the people you need to know that you are in need of help will be notified. Pretty smart for a simple phone.

RIM revealed its tablet this week, the BlackBerry PlayBook, based on its own tablet operating system (OS) and designed to extend many of the business-centric features found on BlackBerry smartphones to the PlayBook such as its e-mail support and out-of-the-box compatibility with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Since it has WiFi, it could be the new device you bring to meetings leaving your laptop at your desk. The PlayBook will also support video conferencing with a 3-megapixel camera on the front and a 5-megapixel camera on the back. While we're on the topic of multimedia, the PlayBook will also support 1080p HD and even have HDMI out. That's a definite step up from the 720p HD support found on some of the higher-end smartphones that have hit the market recently. (To be fair, 720p is plenty impressive on the smaller screens found on cell phones) The PlayBook is expected to be available early next year, however, in the meantime if you want a closer look watch the video below.

If you have a BlackBerry Curve 2 for Verizon Wireless you've probably been prompted to update the Operating System. There are a few enhancements it brings to the cell phone and one that is now definitely missing. Of note, you'll notice an option for Skype on the main screen. This is in conjunction with Verizon's announcement at CTIA that gives smartphone users (BlackBerry included) the option to make Skype calls to other Skype users using the cell phone's WiFi capability. This helps keeps your minute plan in check and if want to call international users using Skype, you can now. Additionally, you can message them as well using the Skype client.

Completing the download is easy and you can do it directly from your cell phone. However, when the download starts you won't be able to use your cell phone. You can, however, stop the download at any time if you need to make a call or check e-mail, but we found it's easier to just let the download run in one sitting. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes in total. Once the software is loaded, you'll be prompted to go through the set up menus, but this doesn't mean you've lost any of your information. So e-mail, contacts, music, and pictures are still there. However, if you had rearranged the icons on your screen, you'll need to do this again since it goes back to the default settings.

One feature missing once you download the upgrade is the lock key icon. This isn't a big deal if you use a BlackBerry holster, since you can set the cell phone to lock when you put it back in the holster. However, if this isn't your preferred method of transportation for your cell phone and need to lock the BlackBerry Curve, you'll need to set this up manually. The good news is that it's pretty straight forward, just select Options from the main menu and choose Password. Choose Enabled and set a Password. You can even select how many attempts you can make to enter the password correctly before the cell phone locks you out for a time period (a feature you can also set). Once the Password is set and enabled, you'll see the lock icon on the cell phone's main screen and can use the feature at will.

Banking has changed a lot over the years and now, you can even use banking services on your cell phone. But are you ready for that? Maybe you just want to know what you can expect before you put your cell phone to use in this manner. We asked Bloggers around the Internet to tell us about their "Banking By Cell Phone Experience." Our next post comes from David Cassel. To read more from David, check out Tech.Blorge.

I remember living in a city in Los Angeles that bordered five other small cities. Washington Mutual gave me a list of ATM locations that was sorted by city -- so I had to read all six pages to determine which one was closest. So I was thrilled when they offered a cell phone application which could pinpoint the nearest Wamu ATM. And best of all, I could do it with a simple text message. (Just type "ATM" in a text message to MyWamu, along with an address, zip code, or city name.)

Mobile banking also solved one of my biggest problems. As an online journalist, I receive a lot of my payments via PayPal. But hitting the "transfer funds" button PayPal doesn't mean the funds have arrived in my checking account. Instead of repeatedly wondering "Are they there now? How about now?" I can whip out my cell phone and get an up-to-the-minute check on my balance. (Again, by text messaging "MyWamu" the simple three-letter keyword "bal".) And if my checking account is running low, Wamu even lets me transfer funds. (And instead of the old-fashioned "Press 1" options, I simply scroll through a list of options.)

Mobile banking is really useful for that quick information you need when you're on the go. But I also like knowing I can "view transactions" if there's an unexpected shortfall that needs immediate investigation. Usually I only view transactions on my PC while balancing my check book, but it's just as easy on a cell phone. It's just like scrolling through any other menu -- which means it's possible to balance a checkbook on a business trip in those spare minutes while waiting for a plane.

Washington Mutual has a unique security procedure which involves going to a unique URL which is created when you register your phone. This prohibits unauthorized access from other phones -- but if someone steals your phone, you'll have to hope they can't get past your pin number. I've heard people argue that an ATM card can be lost just as easily as a cell phone (Read more)

Banking has changed a lot over the years and now, you can even use banking services on your cell phone. But are you ready for that? Maybe you just want to know what you can expect before you put your cell phone to use in this manner. We asked Bloggers around the Internet to tell us about their "Banking By Cell Phone Experience." Our first post comes from Joseph Hunkins. To read more from Joseph, check out his Joe Duck blog.

In addition to an excellent online interface to banking, Bank of America offers phone call banking with voice activated login and features. As with most voice interfaces it is generally somewhat frustrating to move effectively through multiple choice menus, especially if you have several accounts and want to complete a complex inquiry such as reviewing checks. Generally I avoid voice interface banking in favor of using the online system.

Bank of America does offer a nice quality mobile offering at www.BofA.com/mobile/

Although the mobile system is fast enough on my smartphone under normal connection speeds (in rural Oregon) it it still clunky enough to be really useful only when PC access is not available.

The initial menu screen on the mobile interface offers four choices:

Accounts: Here you can access account details such as balances, deposits, and itemized checking records.

Bill Pay & e-Bills: Online bill payments can be made from the mobile interface as well as setting up and scheduling payments.

Transfer Funds: Here, selecting from different accounts allows transfer of funds from one account to another. User is prompted to pick outgoing and incoming account, then to enter the amount to transfer.

Locations: This odd menu choice seems misplaced as it takes you out of the protected interface and into the non-encrypted site - I think it may have been added in the secure area due to popular demand for a link to this feature even after logging in to access account information.

In terms of security I think mobile has advantages over PC online banking security in that a mobile phone is generally an excellent way to uniquely identify a user. For example cell phones are not shared nearly as much as PCs, so if passwords are saved on your phone it is very unlikely somebody else will ever see them. I don't know if most mobile banking applications identify the device before logging on but I assume those that do not soon will, offering a strong measure of security. Are four letter passwords enough? Probably yes until phone hacking becomes more widespread (as it will as smartphone use continues to rise dramatically). At that time longer passwords are called for though the physical security of a phone and the fact the networks are generally more secure than, say, wireless hotspots offers user protection.

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we tackle using your cell phone as a modem and cell phone security features. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

I have AT&T Internet and an AT&T (Cingular) cell phone. If I get a Wireless PC for traveling, can we use those two companies, or do I need a different IP for wireless? Thanks!

You have a few options, your basic Internet service at home is probably not going to work for you on the road. If your wireless PC has WiFi, all you need to do is enable the WiFi feature on your laptop and search for WiFi networks nearby. If you’re in a Starbucks, for example, you can log onto its WiFi connection for a nominal fee. The other option is to use your cell phone as a wireless modem. You would need a data plan for your cell phone and then you can either connect the cell phone to your notebook via a cable and start accessing the Internet using your cell phone’s data connection or if your computer and cell phone both have Bluetooth it can be done by making a Bluetooth connection as well. However, you probably won’t want to try this unless your cell phone supports EDGE data networks at least – this will give you close to DSL connection speeds. An HSDPA connectivity option would be ideal for this scenario since it can provide cable-modem like speeds and you’d still be able to take calls on the cell phone without losing a connection. If it supports GPRS your connection will resemble more of a dial-up connection.

I have a Nokia 2160 and a friend of mine got ahold of it and when I got it back it was locked and I can't unlock it is there a special technique i can do to unlock it or what? –Aileen

It sounds like the lock code is set. You’ll need to enter the unlock code to access the memory and features on your cell phone. To enter the unlock code choose Menu and then press Security Options and Automatic Phone Lock. You’ll be prompted to enter a code at Enter Lock Code. If you haven’t set a code, try 12345. Once you enter the number press Ok. If that doesn’t work you’ll need to contact your carrier to reset the code for you.

What is it? YouGetItBack security sticker, which gives you the peace of mind of knowing that 75% of the time if you leave your cell phone behind or lose it that it’ll make it’s way back to you.

How much? Free with the purchase of a new smartphone or with the purchase of select multimedia handsets.

Why is it such a good deal? You’re getting this cool new phone, but if you misplace it while hitting the slopes this winter or getting away to the sun; we want to do our best to get it back to you. You’ll get the security tag (a $10 value) for free with your purchase. We’re sure once the tag comes in handy, you’ll be back to get tags for everything from your iPod to your TomTom.

We know finding the perfect gift is no easy accomplishment. Of course, we're here to help. To kick off December we're bringing you cell phone and accessory picks for everyone on your holiday gift list. You can see a complete list of holiday picks in our Holiday Gift Guide.

What to get for Kids who Rock: Know a budding musician? They can’t help but feel the music wherever they go. Turn them onto the Sony Ericsson W580i. It’s got an interface that’s built to please the younger audience and the best part is it has a Shake control. No need to press controls to skip to the next song, simply Shake the cell phone while the music is playing and go to the next song. Pretty cool and fun to use - that’s hard to beat.

A Little Something Extra: No music phone is complete with out a Bluetooth stereo headset. The Motorola S9 go beyond typical design with an inspired sporty flair. Plus, this particular model comes with an adapter so they can be used with an iPod as well.

What to get for MySpace Teens: Have a teenager in your life who just can’t stop checking out their MySpace page? Consider getting them a Sidekick ID, which comes with easy access to their own and all their friends MySpace pages. Just be sure to get an unlimited data plan with it, downloading multiple MySpace sites can eat up data quickly.

A Little Something Extra: Couple the Sidekick ID with a YouGetItBack security tag, which gives you 3 years of peace of mind for just $10. It’s like a virtual lost and found system that’s a cinch to use.

What is it? You Get it Back (YGIB) security tag for your cell phone. Simply stick the included sticker (it’s indestructible, trust me) on your phone, wallet, etc. Register at the YouGetItBack.com site and if an honest person finds it (which it turns out most people are) they dial the number on the back and YGIB sets up a swap.

How much? It costs $10 and if you lose your product, you can add an optional reward amount for your cell phone’s safe return.

Why is it such a good deal? Once activated, your security tag is good for 3 years. Ten bucks for three years of knowing if you lose your cell phone that there’s a 75% chance of getting it back is highly affordable for your piece of mind.