A pretty indication that a technology trend has stopped being cutting edge is when CBC decides to do a story on it. The last item on CBC radio's evening newscast was about podcasting - featuring a kid who claimed he was "goofy" but sounded pretty lame as it put together a podcast about his daily life. The CBC has a habit of jumping late onto many tech trends, and when they finally discover something that seems innovative, they make it sound like a new development they've uncovered. You get the feeling when CBC covers cool technology, it's all part of their master corporate plan to lure a younger audience - which is another story completely. So what's the point? Not sure there is one here but it feels good to rant at an organization that does such a good job of spending my tax dollars.

The new version of Microsoft's Windows Mobile is apparently the new "Blackberry Killer". Why? Apparently, it features push e-mail, support for cool-looking graphics, better video support through Windows Media 10 and improved mobile chat through Pocket MSN. Rule #1 when it comes to anything new from Microsoft: those who get carried away with their enthusiasm risk being disappointed. It's one thing to become excited about what a new software platform's potential bell and whistles; it's quite another thing about the actual performance. The Blackberry is a killer device because it excels at a particular task: mobile e-mail. While Research in Motion can talk about the Blackberry becoming a wireless application platform, two million people have one because it's the best way to send and receive mobile e-mail. Microsoft has a mandate to be all things all people, and Windows Mobile is a perfect example of this approach. In theory, it's a great idea but sometimes problematic in real life. If you're looking for a "Blackberry Killer" - if one actually exists - the Treo 650 is pretty close to the ultimate all-in-one wireless device. Its push e-mail technology is not exactly elegant but it's good enough; the telephone works pretty well, while the Web browser kicks some serious Blackberry butt.

911 service has been in the spotlight recently after a young girl was unable to use her family’s Vonage phone to call 911 during armed robbery in Texas. This has prompted the state of Texas to seek a court order to stop Vonage from advertising it offers "911 calling", and for Vonage to outline the steps need to turn on 911 service. In Canada, the CRTC has stepped into the 911 void with a decision that requires VoIP service providers to offer the same level of 911 service provided by ILECs to their existing customers within the next 90 days. Clearly, it’s an important decision given consumer concern about the availability of 911 service, and it’s been a key hurdle in VOIP’s adoption. Does anyone find it ironic the CRTC is able to make a decision about 911 but unable (unwilling?) to make a decision about whether VOIP will be regulated. It is kind of like putting the cart before the horse. In other words, the CRTC is issuing micro-rules for VOIP but there is still regulatory fuzziness about the macro-rules.