hand-e-pix: full focus

New hand-e-pix case study published!

2010-05-07T11:23:00.000+01:00

We've already mentioned West Yorkshire police, but this week O2 published a case study which is available now through the Handheld PCs website.

It highlights the viewpoint of the IT department that were involved in the scoping and delivery of the project, and tells some of the lessons learned (so far).

What is key for me, is that experience is similar accross markets sectors, so even if you're not in the criminal justice sector then I'd encourage you to have a read!

hand-e-pix in police press

2010-05-05T09:17:00.000+01:00

Janes Police Review will be familiar to any of our UK force customers, but I wanted to draw their attention to one of our case study sites in one of the latest publications: West Yorkshire Police.

Discussing the future of policing in Yorkshire is perhaps no surprise, as one of the leading technology adopters within that sector, the force is often an example of what's possible with the latest innovations.

As with the commercial sector, Police forces often look to see how peers have overcome the same challenges that they are experiencing, and more often than not they turn to West Yorkshire for their proof points.

hand-e-pix in the news

2010-04-20T12:09:00.000+01:00

Orange today published a press release about the custom version of hand-e-pix in use on the M25 project.

For those of you who aren't aware the M25 is undergoing a major widening scheme to provide additional lanes and as a result an additional 50% capacity. The overrun fines for the construction phase are huge, so the joint venture that won the tender are using hand-e-pix to help manage snags.

By capturing and reporting in real time any problem areas, gang leaders are providing office based management staff real time updates on progress and problems. By using photographs, the field staff can reduce the time taken to capture data, and provide a more comprehensive view of scenarios on the ground. Integrated GPS provides the location, so that engineers can return to site quickly and if necessary carry out any remedial works.

Easter eggs and infrastructure

2010-04-08T14:51:00.000+01:00

A big thanks to the team that has been working hard over the last few weeks to update the hand-e-pix hosted infrastructure for our hosted customers. Here's a quick summary of what's been going on: -

New and up-spec'd load balanced web servers
New database cluster
New session handling code for Media Manager
Upgrade for clients still runing Media Manager 1.0
Transfer to a new data centre

What this means is that we're well placed to offer more hosted customers an improved experience and accomodate those enterprise customers who may want to use hand-e-pix in their own clustered environment.

Well done guys!

Have your say in phone design

2010-03-20T10:24:00.000Z

This is a unique idea from Nokia - getting users to give their preference for device (hardware) design of the future. It only gives you a few headline features to choose and of course they may not actually use the feedback in the design process!

Still, it is a really simple idea and gives you a nice fuzzy feeling thinking that your opinion may sway the design direction of a company like Nokia.

And now for Windows Mobile

2010-03-18T14:29:00.000Z

Having released a new BlackBerry client earlier in the month with updated graphics, we've turned our attentions to the Windows Mobile client.

Rather than 'simply' updating the graphics, the new hand-e-pix for Windows Mobile client will offer increased functionality. Based on customer feedback we're trying hard to keep the workflow as simple as possible whilst accomodating new features.

The target device will be the HTC HD2, which offers us a 5 megapixel camera and a lovely WVGA touch screen. As soon as the team have anything near completion we'll let you know!

New client for BlackBerry available now!

2010-03-04T19:31:00.000Z

We've released a new (v1.0.4) BlackBerry client today with updated graphics to support the BlackBerry Curve 2 and BlackBerry Bold 2. The graphics get an overhaul for the original Curve and Bold too.

To install on your device OTA jump on over to http://setup.hand-e-pix.com and let us know what you think!

Straw poll

2010-02-25T10:50:00.000Z

A quick poll for your feedback on the right, which platform would you like to see a hand-e-pix client for next?

We already have a Windows Mobile and BlackBerry client, but as the mobile landscape shifts with the announcement of Windows Phone 7 Series and the Nexus One from Google, we have to look to keep up!

Nokia are also moving toward a more flexible platform [Maemo] that will enable them to offer the features that the market has come to expect which is a bold leap from Symbian

Updated product brochure

2010-02-19T09:40:00.000Z

The marketing machine at Handheld PCs has been busy in recent months, publishing a new hand-e-pix brochure.

It is more informative than previous versions with information applicable to different industry sectos, as well as breaking the product down into simple steps.

We think the new A5 format makes it easy to distribute in hard copy, but take a look and let us know what you think!

New client graphics in progress

2010-02-03T16:56:00.000Z

Some of the feedback that we've had over the last six months has pointed out that the hand-e-pix client graphics are a less than they could be. Now that we've updated the Media Manager, the client is rapidly looking out of date.

This also means that newer devices with higher resolution screens need newer higher resolution graphics, such as the BlackBerry Curve 2 and Bold 2.

The good news is that this is going to be addressed, so you should see a new BlackBerry client within the next month, and an updated Windows Mobile client after that. We'll keep you posted on progress and let you know when there is something to look at.

Handheld PCs out and about

2010-01-22T10:06:00.000Z

Handheld PCs are going to several events over the coming months and we'd encourage you to take a look and see if there are any applicable events near you and come and see us!

hand-e-pix v2.1

2010-01-06T11:42:00.001Z

Before Christmas we were working hard to ensure that the next release of the product (v2.1) was “in the can” before the festive break.

The focus of this release is to: -

Produce a PDF when users want to print content
Provide a simpler method for downloading the client application from the server
Show the code version number through the Media Manager

We’re continuing to test to ensure that the additional features work in specific configurations, but will begin offering this update in the near future.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T08:08:00.001Z

Whatever you're doing and wherever you are, have a happy festive season!!

The team at Handheld PCs

hand-e-pix on Crackberry.com

2009-12-03T12:00:00.000Z

For those Blackberry users out there, you've no doubt come accross crackberry.com already. Referencing the addictive nature of the device platform, they bring the inside scoop on all things Blackberry related, whether it is new devices or applications for them.

Following the recent Blackberry Alliance Summit last week, they've featured a video of our very own Pierre Lams, talking about hand-e-pix. In their words its very interesting stuff!!!

Jump on over to crackberry to see the video - and don't forget to let us know what you think!

Quiet please - testing in progress

2009-11-20T10:05:00.000Z

One of the things that all software companies confess to being passionate about is testing - and Handheld PCs are no different. We're busy testing some of the performance improvements scheduled for the next release and the initial phase is very promising.

We've also got some exciting ideas about how to make enterprise administrators lives a little easier for behind the firewall implementations, which will be weaved into next years releases.

Behind the scenes

2009-11-16T16:20:00.000Z

We've been pretty busy recently, deciding what you're going to see from the product next. I thought it would be an opportunity to share with you some of our ambitions for hand-e-pix so that you know what's coming.

First things first: this is not a roadmap, and concepts discussed here are just that and are not guaranteed to even make a final release!

As a development team we are aiming to have a quarterly release. Every 3 months you'll see a new hand-e-pix release of some description or another. Not every release will affect every customer, for example we've done a fair amount of work recently on improving the hand-e-pix media manager; but future releases may well focus on mobile device clients.

Our next minor release is due before Christmas, and will include some major changes to the way that the media manager handles images. Our aim is to improve the page load time for search results and the main data grid, particularly for those people viewing the datagrid with 20 rows-per-page. In the current version we don't do any image manipulation, with the product focussing instead on the integrity of the originally captured content.

This philosophy doesn't change in the next release, but we're looking at creating thumbnails of the original hi-resolution jpeg photos automatically. Don't worry, you will still be able to view the original / native photograph as you can currently!

What we're all seeing is the file sizes being generated by the next generation of devices (think 5MP cameras) only going in one direction. We have to take this trend into account and hopefully address some of the performance implications before they are a problem for customers.

There are questions that form recurring themes: can we use voice or video files? Can hand-e-pix capture multiple photos per record? Can we restrict access to camera functions on the device? These (amongst others) are the questions that keep us scratching our heads, and hopefully you'll see answers for in the future. There are of course several other things that we know we can do better, but they will be addressed next year... watch this space!

...but still no Windows Marketplace

2009-10-19T21:43:00.001+01:00

With Blackberry (RIM) launching their App World and iPhone (Apple) with the well documented success story that is App Store, you would think that Microsoft would be pushing hard to get an online window (no pun intended) into mobile application goodness sooner rather than later... Still 'coming soon'

Sure there are mobile interfaces to each of them, but I want to be able to see screen shots and read reviews on my desktop browser before making the decision to reach for the credit card.

As a mobile application development company like Handheld PCs, the reach to potential end users has never been greater, but it introduces a new model and potentially a 'pandoras box' of new markets. Do you opt for a consumer friendly try-before-you-buy model? If so would your application support it? Do you price your download lower to appeal to the greater numbers or higher to ensure you reach your 'target' market?

As nice as these problems are to have, the explosion of choice for customers will be overwhelming. The next challenge will be differentiating against the thousands of other applications that user have to choose from. Giving yourself a few lines of text to articulate your product, it's USP and it's value is no mean feat!

For some 'bedroom developers', this is make or break territory - opening up the floodgates, or being crowded out of your only route to market. For most enterprises it is more of a marketing tool; another touch point for existing customers and prospects. You're unlikely to make a strategic decision about a corporate mobile solution based on a download, but you might recognise the logo or the concept when you see presentation; get the flyer; read the email; see the email; read the blog...?

Windows Mobile 6.5 hits the streets!

2009-10-06T17:39:00.000+01:00

We've known about it for some time, but the Microsoft PR machine has gone into overdrive with the official launch of Windows Mobile 6.5.

MSN today and Microsoft.com both have 'infomercials' running through the new interface features. It's worth a look, and will make the next batch of devices will look very much more Vista / Win 7 and less Windows XP.

Obviously only very new or upcoming hardware will be capable of running the new OS, which will come in the form of a firmware update from device manufacturers... watch this space!

New Xda firmware

2009-10-05T10:25:00.000+01:00

O2 have always been pretty good at releasing firmware updates for their Xda devices, and there is an update for the Ignito and Serra available in the usual place here.

Upgrading the firmware can be a slightly tedious process - only achievable via USB and you wipe all device settings and data. However both the Serra and Ignito were slightly disappointing for me in terms of their responsiveness so any firmware update has to be worth a look.

New HTC to be ranged by O2?

2009-10-01T12:39:00.001+01:00

HTC jumped out from behind the O2 Xda brand a long while ago, so much so that Telefonica O2 are dropping the Xda moniker in favour of selling HTC branded products in future.

As the Taiwanese device giant continues to deliver competitors to the iPhone, the rumour mill is almost constantly whirring across the web about what they will do next. If the latest of these is to be believed, the device codenamed "Leo" potentially appearing on our shelves as the Touch HD2 includes a 5 megapixel camera with dual LED flash, and of course GPS. It will also be running the latest incarnation of Windows Mobile: v6.5

The 1Ghz snapdragon processor should keep it snappy and the 800 x 480 resolution touch screen should show the captured photos to their full potential.

Thanks to engadget and htcpedia

Awards season!

2009-09-25T09:59:00.001+01:00

We're very proud that hand-e-pix has made it to the final of two industry awards this week!

Firstly in the category of 'Technology Excellence' for 'Mobile product of the year' at the BCS UK IT Industry awards.

Secondly the Channel Network Awards for 'Mobility solution of the year'

We'll keep you posted with the results!

UK Construction market under fire

2009-09-22T11:50:00.001+01:00

The UK construction market is an obvious target for hand-e-pix, offering photographic proof of works undertaken to avoid insurance liability or simply to improve internal QA processes.

They are in the press this morning (22-09-09) for all the wrong reasons though. Jump over to Construction News for the full story.

Happy Birthday Handheld PCs

2009-09-21T16:57:00.001+01:00

Handheld PCs was 7 years old at the weekend! It's morphed a lot in that time.... altogether now "Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to us....!"

Welcome!

2009-09-12T11:40:00.001+01:00

Welcome to the hand-e-pix Blog, a place where news, development and thoughts from inside Handheld PCs can be shared with customers partners and hand-e-pix fans.

Over the coming months you can expect to see information about a major new release, we'll be gathering your thoughts on setting up our first user group and letting you know about the latest excited customers that make up part of our story.

As always, if you are reading this and haven't yet heard about hand-e-pix, jump on over to http://www.handepix.com/ for more info.

James