ArchiveJanuary, 2008

These days, most savvy consumers know that anything written in an e-mail might someday become public knowledge. E-mails are archived and stored on central servers, waiting out there in cyberspace to come back and bite you. But what about texting? Are your text messages going to get you into trouble?

It’s an issue that’s dominating the news in Detroit, where Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is currently embroiled in a scandal brought about, largely, by the existence of text message evidence. As Mike Wendland of the Detroit Free Press points out, though, the devices in question in the Kilpatrick case are unique - instead of typical consumer cell phones or BlackBerrys, the city of Detroit provides its public servants with a more specialized product, called a SkyWriter. These “messaging devices” are owned and operated by a private firm.

And, since the firm - SkyTel - runs all data through its own servers, Kilpatrick’s messages were easily retrievable. In fact, SkyTel is specifically tasked by its corporate and government clients to provide archives of all documents and communications. In essence, the Mayor of Detroit, was foolish. His behavior is the equivalent of sending racy emails through your work account.

The entire saga, though, did raise an interesting question for many cell phone users. Should you be concerned that someone out there is combing through your private digital notes?

Read more…

The exciting HTC Touch smartphone - previously available to Sprint customers - will soon be offered to Alltel subscribers as well, through Wirefly’s online store.

The Touch boasts a new kind of interface that compares favorably to that of Apple’s iPhone. Its TouchFLO technology allows for smooth operation with just a flick of the finger, and helps pack a tremendous amount of information into its attractive screen (without overwhelming the user). This phone combines the best of productivity - access to Outlook, the Internet, and any software designed for Windows Mobile - with plenty of multimedia options that are, to put it simply, a whole lot of fun to interact with.

Last year, CrunchGear named the HTC Touch “one of the best devices” in years. Now that it’s available from two cellular carriers - Sprint and Alltel - we expect the Touch to continue gaining traction among early adopters and technophiles. It’s one of the most advanced cell phones on the market.

Stay tuned to the Wirefly Blog for an exact release date.