iPAQ without a phone, why bother

That is what I thought when my boss, Dr. Bix, gave me a new iPAQ (yes, ungrateful person).  It sat in my office for a few months collecting dust until today when I ripped it open.

   So it has a keyboard, so what, it`s not a phone and where is the camera.

Well,we are demanding of technology these days.

Have you tried using your phone for email  Well, it ain`t that fun after the first one.

One thing I was told by a lady in Singapore is that Sing people text message faster than anyone and they don`t even need T9.  Someone actually did a test to proove it.  Well, I don`t type fast enough with T9.  My thoughts move too quickly for that single finger typing.  I love the keyboard.

   Oh man, one more electronic gadget to carry around!  Ugh.

Actually, I was really annonyed on this trip not having an instant-on device with my  itinerary (.pdf) on it.  I also dig the full screen view of my email and the automatic pick-up of random wireless signals all around me while I go from place to place, my home, coffee shop, work, etc.  I don`t have to power up the computer and watch it sync.  I just pause for a moment and take a quick look. I love that while I am cruising around it just automaticcaly syncs up for me.  I never wait for new email on the go.

So aside from a phone, what is it missing   A KILLER APP!  Microsoft, on my Christmas list, I have the following:

   Smart Client Application that allows me to do my expense reports on the iPAQ

Do you think that Santa`s elves in our IT department will hear me

Next year this time, I am hoping for an IT Showcase of a Smart Client that connects to secure Web services in our finance department.  That way I wont have to spend 6 hours of precious Microsoft time filling out expense reports for reciepts that are 2 weeks old in a language I don`t speak and so therefore have forgotten what they are for.  If I had a Smart Client I could store and then forward my expenses on as I go.  Or do them on the plane in between cities.  It`s brainless work that I don`t want to be doing the day I get back in my office.

But really, the next generation smart client should be on your cell phone with a point of sale reader.

   "Would you like an electronic or paper receipt with that miss" 

   "Thanks, I will scan it electronically into my phone."

Or better yet...

   "Would you like to pay for that with your credit card, your debit card, or your cell phone"

   "Thanks, I like one bill, I will use my cell."

-- Web Services, Ah! --

Come to think of it, someone should build me this demo, and I promise to try and work you into a talk at Tech Ed.  Connecting those systems....