Smartphone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

Be sure to register in our forums! Share your opinions, help others, and enter our contests.


Zune Thoughts

Loading feed...

Digital Home Thoughts

Loading feed...

Pocket PC Thoughts

Loading feed...



Saturday, September 26, 2009

More Project Pink News

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/...hones-revealed/

"Taking a glance at the renders, it's clear that at least one model is that Pre-like phone we spied the other day, supposedly (and creatively) codenamed "Turtle." The other device is dubbed the "Pure," and unfortunately for Microsoft, looks like the G1 having a bad hair day... in 1988. Both devices bear a kind of child-like, simplistic look, which actually makes us wonder if these aren't some concept pieces geared toward the youth market."

I think Engadget pegged this right - Pink phones aren't aimed at smartphone users at all, even if the underlying OS is still some version of Windows Mobile and the specs are derived from WM7 chasis 1 specs. On the other hand, this is a refreshing if risky venture by Microsoft - what do you guys think?


Friday, September 25, 2009

iMate Continues Business

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Pocket PC News" @ 04:00 PM

http://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/news_...l_trading_.html

"To safeguard the brand and assets of i-mate these have been acquired by a new company Hillfoot Limited which will continue to trade as i-mate with operations in Australia, Taiwan, the UK and USA. The new company will be led by Jim Morrison, Chief Executive who has committed to stay until normal trading is resumed and the financial infrastructure is established to take the business forward.."

It looks like iMate will continue to exist, just not in India.

  • Read
  • Discuss
  • Permalink
  • Source: CoolSmartPhone

Tags: imate, fraud

Intel Unveils Light Peak 10Gbps Optical Interconnect for Mobile Devices

Posted by Pete Paxton in "Smartphone News" @ 07:00 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/23/...ect-for-mobile/

"USB 3.0 might be one of the big stories here at IDF, but Intel just showed off a glimpse of the future: Light Peak, an optical interconnect for mobile devices that can run as fast as 10Gbps. That's fast enough to do everything from storage to displays to networking, and it can maintain those speeds over 100-meter runs, which is pretty astounding. Intel says the idea is to drastically reduce the number of connectors on mobile devices, which should allow them to get even smaller -- but the demo was on a huge Frankenrig, so don't expect to see Light Peak devices shipping any time soon."

What I don't like about stories like this is that this technology isn't here now. Wouldn't it be cool to run at 10Gbps? I'd love it. Super fast internet and internet gaming right on your mobile device. Not to mention ultra clear video conferencing. For those of you who think that technology is changing to rapidly, I'm not one of those. I want the future and I want it now. After seeing the Microsoft Courier Tablet demo, hearing that MS has a slew of new devices coming soon, and now super fast Light Peak transfer rates, How about you? Are you ready for this stuff now or do you think it's evolving to rapidly?


Thursday, September 24, 2009

iMate Down, But Not Out?

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Pocket PC News" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/5683...-to-major-fraud

Last week, I told you that iMate had shuttered their offices and were closing down the operation.Apparently it isn't that black and white. Supposedly, they are in dire financial straits due to fraud committed by one of their executives. We'll keep you posted as we hear more information, but for now, consider iMate on pause, not stop.

  • Read
  • Discuss
  • Permalink
  • Source: CoolSmartPhone

Tags: rumor, imate, fraud

- ADVERTISING -

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Pinch Me - Microsoft To Issue Own-Brand Phones?

Posted by Nurhisham Hussein in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/...-2010-with-two/

"Weekend gossip that has Microsoft and Sharp "unleashing" a pair of slider phones codenamed "Turtle" and "Pure" in January (likely at CES). JoFo thinks that it's possible that the rumored handsets could be announced in January, but any phone from Microsoft's Pink skunkworks project wouldn't launch until Windows Mobile 7 was ready, an OS not expected to ship on consumer devices until the end of 2010."

We have two reports from Engadget Mobile that Project Pink (here and here), which involves Microsoft's purchase of Danger (the makers of the Sidekick), is finally seeing some results. At this stage, virtually nothing is known about what specs or even which OS these devices will run, though I don't see Microsoft muddying their mobile strategy further by coming up with another ecosystem beyond Windows Mobile (or alternatively Zune). If WM7 is the target OS, that means these first two prototypes won't be on the market for another year, but given that these are relatively uncharted waters for Microsoft I'm not too surprised at the pace of development. I'm also thinking that with the ever tighter integration between software, hardware and services that the smartphone competitive space is moving towards, Microsoft is taking their time to get it right.


PocketInformant 9 Soft Launches Next Week

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Pocket PC Software" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.pocketinformant.com/Foru...=blog&blogid=1&

"PI 9 has been finished since September 10th. So why the long wait? Typically we start on the final stuff about 2-3 weeks before release where we do localizations, icons, docs, all the installer stuff, etc...We are now nearly done. Localizations and docs are the two things not done, but we will be SOFT-launching PI 9 with what localization we DO have and docs next week (it would be end of week but I'm going on vacation!)."

Keep an eye on the PocketInformant site to get the latest when it soft launches. I am not sure if the on-device update mechanism will recognize the update at that time or if it will only see the new version when it fully launches. It looks like a trial version is already available but you may not be able to register/upgrade to a licensed version just yet.

  • Read
  • Discuss [4 replies]
  • Permalink
  • Source: JK On The Run


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

GMail Pushed To Your Device

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Pocket PC News" @ 10:00 PM

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/20...il-support.html

"Earlier this year, we launched Google Sync which allows you to synchronize your Gmail Contacts and Google Calendar with your iPhone, Windows Mobile, and S60 devices. Today, we're adding Gmail support to Google Sync for iPhone, iPod Touch and Windows Mobile devices. "

Using ActiveSync on your device, you can connect to Google's Exchange Server service and sync your contacts and appointments real time. Now GMail messages themselves have been added to the mix. No more configuring iMAP mail boxes. This is a great service for those that don't have their phone connected to a work server. I wish I could sync my messages up with this service, but work email is more important on my phone than my personal email.


Monday, September 21, 2009

AT&T Leaks 2009 Windows Mobile Roadmap

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Pocket PC News" @ 08:00 AM

"One of our ninjas just blessed us with a look at a portion of AT&T’s Windows Mobile road-map for the rest of the year. Quickly glancing at it we can see that the AT&T Tilt 2 will obviously launch in October, and refreshingly, the Samsung Epix and Samsung Jack will be getting upgrades to Windows Mobile 6.5 courtesy of upcoming maintenance releases."

That is exciting that more devices are getting WinMo 6.5 upgrades. I am not sure why all of the change of heart by manufacturers and carriers lately to provide upgrades, but I hope that it doesn't discourage Microsoft from taking matters into their own hands and providing the upgrades themselves directly to users in WinMo 7.

You can see a PowerPoint slide and more info at Boy Genius Report. Head over there if you are an AT&T customer and see what device interests you.

  • Discuss [1 reply]
  • Permalink
  • Source: Boy Genius Report


Saturday, September 19, 2009

About Microsoft's Marketplace Kill Switch

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Pocket PC Software" @ 07:00 AM

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/ne...tm_campaign=rss

"We have a bit of troubling news from Windows world today as a developer in attendance at Microsoft's Tech.Ed New Zealand has relayed some interesting tidbits. Regarding the "Windows Marketplace for Mobile" - Microsoft's version of the Apple App Store - Microsoft has confirmed the existence of a ‘kill switch' for apps. In the event an approved app is later removed from the Marketplace, the app will also automatically be removed from users' handsets. We're not sure what this means for paid apps, though we doubt refunds will be issued automatically as well"

Boy Genius report is skeptical that refunds would be given if MS decided to drop the app kill hammer, however other reports such as this quote given to Ars Technica seem to contradict this strongly:

"In the rare event an application from Marketplace exhibits harmful behavior or has unforeseen effects, Marketplace has the capability to remotely uninstall these applications. While we hope to avoid this scenario, we will make refunds available in such cases."

So yes, there is a kill switch, but no - users who buy something that gets killed won't be out money. Come on guys - give Microsoft some credit to do the right thing. They aren't Apple after all!


Windows Phone Designer Themes: Free to Download on October 6

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Software" @ 01:00 AM

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/wi...ner-themes.aspx

"Fashion Week is in full swing in New York City this week, and today, we're excited to announce five designer themes created just for Windows phones. The themes, which include custom palettes and wallpapers, were designed by some of today's hottest designers: Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, Isaac Mizrahi, Rock & Republic and Ron Arad."

There's no denying that Microsoft does a great job at connecting with big names to produce exclusive content for its products. Just take a look at the Xbox and Zune. Come October 6, Windows Mobile will get in on the action with some exclusive themes from a handful of top designers. And best of all, they'll be free to download from the Windows Marketplace for Mobile.


Previous stories


Top Smartphone Software

News Tip or Feedback?

Contact us

Thoughts Media Sites

Pocket PC Thoughts

Smartphone Thoughts

Digital Media Thoughts

Zune Thoughts

Apple Thoughts

4Smartphone
Recent Posts
  • guojinan001: what about the sound qualities' feeling of pre ringtones
  • Pete Paxton: Intel Unveils Light Peak 10Gbps Optical Interconnect for Mobile Devices
  • Hedge: Aces Omaha - No Limit and Anthony Dias Blue�s Pocket Guide to Wine - save 30%
  • elecont: New Elecont Weather is not only 10 day forecast but a new user interface
  • Pete Paxton: WMExperts Review The HTC Ozone
  • Hedge: Pocket Launcher and EngCalc - Engineering Calculator SP - save 30%
  • Hedge: Elecont Launcher and Smartphone GPRS Traffic Monitor (Special Version) - save 30%
  • Phillip Dyson: Vista Sync Center over Bluetooth
Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Sponsored links

Cell Phones - T-Mobile: Phones you love, plans you want.
Cell Phone Chargers - Need a cell phone charger? Click here and visit Accessory Geeks.com
Cellular Phone - Buy a wide selection of cellular phones from Verizonwireless.com