I stumbled upon a new piece of beta software called Chatsum.  This one allows you to chat with web surfers on the same wave (website) as you.  You can chat, leave messages, and read other user messages.  This would make the web browsing experience completely different.  You can now surf with other people!  It currently works with FireFox, and a version is coming for Safari on Mac OS X Tiger.

I don’t like the idea of allowing other people to talk about a corporate website while looking at it.  If you had an upset customer, they could sit there and bad mouth you.  Even worse would be if they attempted to act like a company rep. and promise things or lie to the client or potential customer.  Not many websites allow/sponsor chat between users on the site, but it is possible with things like IRC and Java plug-ins.  A lot are using chat programs to offer sales help to potential clients.  I know HP, Dell, EarthLink, and smaller online shops use services like BoldChat, LivePerson, or ProvideSupport.  This is controlled chat, and I think that is okay, but I don’t like the idea of uncontrolled chat from a corporate perspective.

First Verdict? I Love it. Cingular’s new Windows Mobile based smart phone is a hit. I have had Windows Mobile phones in the past but this one just simply works, and works as you would expect. Set up your mail, how often you would like to sync and you are set. Not only does it keep track of my corporate mail but it tracks my hotmail, calendar and of course acts as a phone. One of the coolest features is the new way Windows Mobile displays contacts, the graphics now live up to the phone. This is a system you want to use. Also included are a 1.3 mega pixel camera, bluetooth and EDGE. The internet is fast, the antenna seems to pick up coverage everywhere, in elevators, on P5 in my apartment building and in the dead zone I call an office. One gripe, it is impossible to turn on or off as the power button doesn’t seem to work very well…however given all that is great on this phone I don’t see having to turn it off very often.

If you are one of the millions of blackberry users terrified of what might happen in the next couple weeks you may want to check out this HTC built phone, you won’t be disappointed.