Fairly sure unless you’ve been living under a rock, you are well aware of the iPhone, the need for an update, and all the people that tried to manipulate theirs themselves and ended up with a big fat brick.  Ooops.

That said my friends, a REAL iPhone software update is finally here and by the sounds of things, it helps do some pretty nifty things.  According to the article I just read the new update allows users, “to find their location using the Maps application; text message multiple people in one message; create Web Clips for websites; customize their home screen; and watch movies rented from the iTunes Movie Rentals.” 

While the iPhone notoriously lacks GPS, something that I’m guessing will be remedied in the future renditions of the device, the new update lets users find their location “automatically” by triangulating their position based on WiFi access points, and cell phone towers…good Lord, wouldn’t adding GPS just be, well, easier?

That said, if you are an iPhone user, use your iTunes to get things updated…I’m quite sure you’ll be happy.

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Q. Seriously, is it really a risk to use the free WiFi at the coffee shop? Is anyone REALLY spying?

A. Seriously? Yes.

I was in Raleigh-Durham working on a WiFi-enabled client site a couple of years ago when the security director leaned against my desk and asked me who ‘TigerBear83′ was.

My blood ran cold - it was my GMail password.

His employees regularly run sniffer software to make sure that employees are following security protocols and clearly, I’d failed the test.

Sniffer software is easily found (freeware versions are all over the web) and there are legions of hackers who spend hours nursing lattes and data trolling at WiFi hotspots.

Bottom line, public WiFi has no built-in protection. The security of your data is a a do-it-yourself proposition. A fact too many users are blithely unaware.

Will this change? Yes. But at this moment in WiFi’s evolution, the technology is just not there yet.

The safest option you can take to send/receive sensitive information is to get thee a patch cable and plug in. A secure, hard-wired network connection is your best port in the storm.

But before you give up coffee altogether, let me say that there are some security measure you can take to minimize risk on a public WiFi. The effectiveness of these measures is equivalent to whispering your private information versus shouting it across the movie theater.

The best up-to-date instructions I found on protecting yourself were at About.com, written by Mary Landesman. I recommend her post here.

The soundest advice I can give youon the subject - assume that anything you send & receive on an open WiFi can be seen. So never type anything on an open WiFi connection that you wouldn’t tell a stranger on a bus.

Q. I took your seminar years ago and you said if I spilled something on my keyboard and disabled it, I could run it through the dishwasher. I thought you were nuts. But now the situation’s come up and I was wondering…

A. Am I nuts? Yes. But that’s besides the point.

Over 10 years ago, I spilled Diet Coke on my keyboard and killed it dead. No knowing any better (which is usually the preface to every great discovery) I borrowed my neighbor’s dishwasher and ran it through - figuring I had nothing to lose and a keyboard to gain.

It worked. And it’s worked several times since then.

A new keyboard is cheap and easy to get these days but if you want to attempt a last life-saving procedure then run it through the dishwasher on a cool, unheated, short cycle. Make sure the keys are facing DOWN and don’t use any soap or detergent.

Afterwards, let it dry on a towel or a rack for at least 48 hours - until it is truly bone dry through and through.

Unconvinced? Well, Nell Boyce at NPR did it recently heard about this and tried it out. Read about her experiment here.

Just promise me you won’t try this on your optical mouse.

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On Fridays, MoGo Mobility’s Elizabeth will seek to answer your MoGo (and non-MoGo) technical questions.

Elizabeth is a professional writer & geek with most of the last decade spent in senior management at a leading global IT provider. Thousands have attended her seminars in the US & Canada on subjects ranging from basic TCP/IP networking to high-end data storage solutions.

Got a question? Ask Elizabeth.

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When you’re on the road, it’s easy to take for granted most of the open WiFi connections - in the airport, the hotel , the coffeeeshop in the lobby of the building.

However, it is becoming more and more important that you know where your WiFi is coming from, and if you are rightfully allowed to use it.

This sage warning comes on the heels of another felony arrest for hi-jacking (or ‘piggybacking’) an open WiFi meant for customers.

ars technica is reporting that Sam Peterson has been arrested and charged with a felony for unlawfully using the WiFi connectivity of the Re-Union Street Cafe of Sparta, Michigan. Peterson used to drive up each morning and check his email from his car - never actually entering the cafe or buying anything there.

Because he wasn’t a customer, he didn’t the right to use their WiFi. In 1979, Michigan made computer hacking illegal (way ahead of their time). In 2000, they updated the law to make it a crime to access a computer system without authorization.

The management of the cafe didn’t know it was wrong for Peterson, and in fact Peterson himself didn’t know.

It was a police officer who observed Peterson’s daily habit that thought that it wasn’t quite right what he was doing. A little research ended up in a warrant.

And the moral of this story?

On my recent road trip, I opened my laptop one day to write a post for this blog. Frustrated by the slow response time of the WiFi, I hunted up a land connection to the network. In my search, I was unnerved to discover that the WiFi I had been using belonged to a private citizen in another building.

It’s too easy. And? Illegal.

Know where the WiFi comes from. And, for God’s sake -just to be on the safe side, buy a muffin.

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This blog isn’t just about MoGo products, it’s also for those of us who do the mobile work thing. Travel a lot? Conference junkie? Your basic road warrior? Yep, us too. We love our gadgets and our laptops, but you know it’s a love-hate thing sometimes too isn’t it? Culled from our great minds, here are our top 10 things you should carry in your gear bag (besides the laptop) in no particular order…

1. A really good laptop bag. Okay you might think this is a no brainer, but a lot of people skimp on this road warrior essential. What kind of bag is right for you depends on you. Some folks like the ones on wheels. Others something more like a traditional briefcase. Me, I’m a messenger bag kind of guy. Regardless of what you choose it must have: good padding, pockets, pockets, pockets, comfortable and strong straps, room for other “stuff”, and a little extra space for last minute things.
2. Portable surge protector. While you try to work off battery, you do have to plug in sometime. The problem can be that the places you plug in might not have the best power around. I use the BC Ferries a lot and there are warnings about power surges about all outlets. I used to carry a little one outlet job that worked well, when I remembered it. Now I have a surge protector that straps onto the power brick of my laptop power cable and connects right to it. I don’t forget it because it’s always there, always on.
3. Outlet expander. Yes, you can carry a power strip to cover 2 & 3, but sometimes I like to just toss in a little three outlet expander into my bag (especially when I head to a conference). There is nothing better to win friends and influence people by not just using an outlet, but sharing too.
4. Cable Clamps. This is a brand name. These are like handcuffs for cables (no key). For me these are essential for keeping the cord insanity to a dull roar. The are simple, so simple. Just open, bundle your cord, and close. They are made of a durable hard plastic, come in three sizes, and can be used and reused.
5. Laptop lock. I didn’t invest in one of these for a while, but I’m glad I did. You know these babies, they have a hardened steel cable with a loop on one end and a lock on the other. Loop around some immovable object and put the lock into the slot on your laptop. I went for the combo lock version. I just didn’t want another key to have to keep track of.
6. Extra cables. I could bulk this list up naming each one, but I’ll save the fluff. I carry a USB cable that works with my Blackberry and my Digicam and an extendable Ethernet cable with coupler. That’s pretty much all I need, but I also have at the ready to toss into my bag (if I’m feeling rather McGyver-ish) phone cable with coupler and a retractable USB printer cable. Really what you’re going for is having the cables you need to connect and charge devices. Is longer better? For USB, I don’t think so, Ethernet, yeah.
7. Rechargeable batteries. I carry a few extras in my bag for my camera and anything else that needs them (like MP3 player). One tip is to secure them with a rubber band so they don’t bump into each other and discharge in your bag. The charger? If I’m going to a conference, yes. Day to day, no.
8. WiFi detector. I have a really simple one that just gives a presence (with strength) or absence indication. While it might not be giving you a ton of information, it does tell me if it’s worth turning your machine on.
9. Ear-bud headphones and small mic. Okay the mic might be optional for some, but I have one to do Skype calls and maybe to record a podcast on the road. The headphones are, however, essential. In a cafe or something having your sound on is rude, but you might still like to hear if your e-mail bings or listen to some tunes (to drown out everyone else).
10. Travel mouse. Yeah you’ve been waiting for this one haven’t you? Yes a travel mouse is important. Look trackpads are great, but for long-term use, they suck. I tried a travel mouse that ran on a couple AAA batteries and used RF to send signal. You know I don’t use it anymore. Why? I can’t get it to work. Okay that and it sucks batteries dry fast and was way too small. The MoGo Mouse uses Bluetooth to communicate, charges in your laptop, and is human-sized. And I can’t freakin’ wait to get mine!

Other stuff? I never leave home without my Blackberry. I have Gtalk, Gmail, and Google Maps on that baby (and yes an unlimited data plan). If your phone can take Google Maps, get it. The time you use it to find your way will be worth any data charges (I got lost in Toronto and used my Berry to find my way back to the hotel). I’m sure you can suggest some more stuff here.

I’m probably forgetting something so what’s in your core kit?

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