Smartphone Thoughts.com

Today's Dilbert Was Written With Us In Mind

Ed Hansberry — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:30:00 GMT

Dilbert is a favorite strip of many office workers and geeks, and barely a week goes by where you can't identify with one of the strips Scott Adams has done, but today's looks like it was written with gadget geeks in mind, so I just had to share it.

Watch Those Bytes with Spb Wireless Monitor 3.0

Darius Wey — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:25:00 GMT

"Spb Software releases Spb Wireless Monitor 3.0 - a powerful software solution that offers full control over all types of smartphone data connections by monitoring them in accordance with configurable tariffs and data plans, and providing per application data traffic reports. First brought to market in 2002, Spb Wireless Monitor, formerly known as Spb GPRS Monitor, accounts for the lack of a built-in data tracking tool in Windows Mobile devices. A four-time prize winner in the Smartphone and Pocket PC magazine’s Best Software Awards, shipped in over a dozen devices by ASUS, HTC, O2, Samsung, and T-Mobile, the Spb Wireless Monitor has over 3,000,000 loyal customers worldwide. The new name of version 3.0 comes with massive enhancements in features and abilities. With the growing popularity of mobile Internet and captivating online services - crossing the data plan limits and receiving painful phone bills is common, especially with the high cost of roaming. Spb Wireless Monitor 3.0 prevents unwanted mobile service charges and gives subscribers control over their mobile data spending, by measuring data traffic, calculating the network charges, warning of costly data usage, and reporting which application exactly generates what kind of data traffic. The new Wireless Monitor supports both touch and non-touch screen devices, it can manage CDMA, GPRS, 3G, and even Wi-Fi and USB connections. Spb Wireless Monitor can provide per application traffic and cost reports, allowing users to single out guilty applications, responsible for high data charges. The new version has a modern, multilingual user interface and can manage several connections simultaneously."

Spb GPRS Monitor is dead. But, all is not lost, as the new Spb Wireless Monitor 3.0 is now available for all flavours of Windows Mobile. Head over to our affiliate software store (Pocket PC - Professional, Smartphone - Standard) for free trial versions and/or full versions for $19.95. Upgrades from Spb GPRS Monitor 2.0 are $9.95.

Calling All Readers: Help Me Torture Test a Video Solution

Jason Dunn — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:00:00 GMT

About two months ago, I purchased a Canon HF100 high-definition video camera to replace my ageing but still totally sweet Canon GL2 (that thing has such great optics!). It took me a while to re-create my template in 16:9 format, but I did and published my first two HD videos to YouTube...and I was quite disappointed with the results. YouTube only offers a 4:3 aspect ratio player, so 16:9 videos look pretty tiny with those big black bars on the top and bottom. I set out to find a better solution for embedding videos on Thoughts Media sites, and I think I've found one: MotionBox.

I say "I think" because while the video quality is utterly fantastic, and for $20 per year they offer a lot of value, I've been seeing some problematic playback issues today - sometimes the video will start right away, other times it will take 30+ seconds before it starts, and sometimes it won't start at all, instead showing a black box. And sometimes it will just "break" and stop playing. These are obviously serious problems, but I don't know if MotionBox is just having a bad day, or if my bandwidth Kung-fu is weak today. So check out the video below and report back what you find - does it play back OK? Any problems or glitches?

Adobe Flash Coming to Windows Mobile

Rocco Augusto — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:59:00 GMT

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2008/11...-on-the-iphone/

"Adobe’s Flash Player is on 98 percent of all desktop computers, but it is still struggling to make the jump to mobile phones. If you want Flash on a mobile device, right now you have to settle for a compromised version: Flash Lite. But Adobe is committed to bring the full Flash Player experience to mobile phones, as evidenced by its Open Screen Project. On Monday, at its Adobe MAX developer conference, it will demonstrate Flash Player 10 running on a Windows Mobile phone. (However, Flash won’t actually ship on Windows Mobile until late next year)."

Adobe MAX has come and gone and during that time Adobe has announced that would release Flash technology to the Windows Mobile platform and even demonstrated versions of Flash running on Windows Mobile and Google Android. It is really interesting to see Flash running on Google's Android platform as these handsets are virtually brand spanking new. It is amazing to see how quickly big name companies such as Adobe are jumping on consumer smartphone bandwagon since the release of the Apple iPhone and Google Android platforms. Sometimes I wish Microsoft could inspire that kind of innovation and excitement in the mobile industry. It is an incredibly exciting time to be a smartphone user, no matter which device or operating system is in your pocket. However I am still annoyed that it has taking this long for Adobe to get around to bringing Flash to our handsets.

Internet Explorer 6 For Windows Mobile Devices - No Upgrades or Updates - New Devices Only

Ed Hansberry — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:01:00 GMT

http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile...r-mobile-6.aspx

Recently the Windows Mobile team blogged a few bits about the upcoming Internet Explorer engine on Windows Mobile devices that will give you close to the full desktop experience on your device, sort of like the iPhone users have had since mid-2007. Microsoft has decided to only make this available on new devices, a factoid only revealed way down in the comments. There will be no upgrades, direct from MS or an OEM, to put this on your fancy new Windows Mobile device. It apparently can't handle it.

"Regarding making IE Mobile available as a separate download or update, the rich media experiences that IE Mobile 6 enables require more powerful, advanced devices. That is why it will not be available as an upgrade or direct download for current phones, but rather will be made available on new phones."

On the one hand, this stinks. On the other, I figured it would be this way anyway. MS rarely ever provides updates to the user directly, instead relying on the OEM partner to dole them out, and the OEM partners tend to offer updates such as this as often as my son picks up his clothes off of the floor voluntarily. At least this way, the OEMs won't take the heat for not providing it, which is I suspect part of the motivation behind it. OEMs are likely to be sick and tired of us users wanting cool new things on the device and calling asking for the updates, either free or for a nominal fee. This way, the OEM can now say MS isn't offering it. Pure speculation on my part of course, but I suspect there is merit to it. Wouldn't have posted it if I didn't think so.

Agendus 3.0 for Windows Mobile Smartphone Standard Edition

Pete Paxton — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

http://software.smartphonethoughts....tandard-Edition

"Accomplish more today and everyday... with Agendus for Windows Mobile! The Smartphone (non-touchscreen) version of our award-winning personal information manager (PIM) includes powerful new features and significant usability improvements to help you work smarter and get more done while on the go."

Here's yet another reason we have no excuse to not to be organized. The feature list alone is reason enough to consider Agendus 3.0. If you're looking for a solution to keep your tasks, contacts, and schedule organized in one neat package, this could be for you. It's $19.95 at our store but if you're not quite sure about it there is also a trial. If you decide that this is the one for you, be sure and come back to let us know what you think.

Some Issues With The Windows Mobile 6.1 SMTP Patch?

Ed Hansberry — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT

http://www.mobilejaw.com/thoughts/2...-email-accounts

First of all, let me say that I had no problems with the SMTP patch Microsoft released recently for Windows Mobile 6.1 devices, other than the sudden soft reset that happened without warning. We discussed it here. Fellow MVP Mike Temporale at MobileJaw had a different experience though.

"A number of news sites have been reporting about Microsoft releasing a patch that fixes an issue with sending email on your Windows Mobile 6.1 device. The patch is available from the Outlook Mobile team web site and claims to fix the problem. I'm sure it might do that, but there are a number of things that they fail to mention. So before you go and install this patch, read the issues below and weigh the decision to install or not."

He goes on to mention that email accounts were deleted (pictured above), the device restarted in flight mode and the sudden soft reset. As I said, the soft reset I experienced. I am 99% sure my device didn't come back up in flight mode and I know my 2 POP3 and 1 IMAP4 accounts were all unaffected by the update. Now, I have heard some other issues with the patch as well. Right here in our own forums, some witnessed the deletion of accounts and one said his email functionality was completely broken until the patch was uninstalled. I am interested in hearing the success rates and failures of those that have applied it, as well as how many of you aren't having an issue with email so have held off on applying the patch.

Problems With ActiveSync, Windows Mobile 6.1 and Syncing with Two PCs?

Ed Hansberry — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:00:00 GMT

http://msmvps.com/blogs/spiderwebwo...22/1648573.aspx

"Since I got my HTC Mogul from Sprint last spring, I had been syncing with two PCs, one at home and one at work. Life was good - I was where I was supposed to be on time, and remembering everyone's birthday and anniversary. "

Then the problem began. She upgraded her Mogul to Windows Mobile 6.1 and was no longer able to sync with two PCs. Instead, ActiveSync throws back error 86000107. It works fine with the first PC, but not the second. Microsoft Connect has a more detailed thread about this issue. I don't use ActiveSync (I'm on Vista now with WMDC) and I don't sync with two PCs, so I've not seen this issue. In the Connect thread, the resolution is given as it being an OEM issue that needs to be fixed.

If you use ActiveSync and sync with two PCs, have you seen this issue after upgrading to WM6.1? I am wondering if this affects all 6.1 devices or just a few.

Hands on with Colorware's Custom Blackjack II Process

Rocco Augusto — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:00:00 GMT

http://www.modaco.com/content/smart...ack-ii-process/

"Last month I posted in this topic about Colorware's process for customising the Samsung Blackjack II. Colorware graciously offered to repaint a truly battered Blackjack II that team member 'encece' hooked me up with, and i've been using the resulting device for a few weeks now. So what's the finished result like? Gorgeous!"

[Photo courtesy of MoDaCo]

Over at MoDaCo, Paul was brave enough to send in his Smartphone for the ol' paint job finish. I have to say that I am highly impressed. While the Samsung Blackjack II is a powerful device, I was always put off at how cheap and shiny the outer body looked. It was as if Samsung had learned nothing from the mistakes of other manufactures and ignored the fact that shiny finishes on and tiny gadget turns the device into a fingerprint magnet. Even if you do not suffer from my hatred for smudges and fingerprints, there is no denying that after spending 5 minutes with a super shiny device like the Blackjack II that it just looks trashy and cheap because it is all smudged up and gross looking. From the look of the images that Paul has posted of this new paint job, while the device still looks shiny, it looks a whole lot more refreshing than the standard black paint job. Hopefully these lighter and brighter colors will do more to hide all of the smudges this device picks up.

HP Voice Messenger Smartphone Coming to Vodafone

Rocco Augusto — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:50:00 GMT

http://www.vodafonebusinessshop.co....enger-3080.html

"Those two HP iPAQ handsets we served up a few weeks back have now touched down on the Vodafone website. You can't buy them just yet, but you can at least have a snoop around the handsets and check out the specs. The HP Voice Messenger and the HP Data Messenger are now online and you can get your name down to be informed when they're ready to buy."

If any of our readers out there happen to be on the Vodafone network in the UK, we have some great news for you. Sometime soon you will be able to pick up HP's latest Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard handset, the HP Voice Messenger. This Smartphone features a BlackBerry like 20-key keyboard, 3.1MP camera, voice activated dialing, microSD expansion slot (up to 8GB) as well as quad-band GSM, HSDPA, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Looking At the Competition: The Blackberry Bold

Jason Dunn — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:09:00 GMT

Being so heavily Windows Mobile-centric, I find it interesting when I can get my hands on devices from companies that compete with Windows Mobile. I had an opportunity to play with a RIM Blackberry Bold earlier this week, and was extremely impressed with the hardware. I thought it might be useful to share what I thought was good about the Bold, if for no other reason than to point out to anyone from Microsoft, HTC, etc. reading this site that Windows Mobile devices are lacking somewhat in the area that the Bold inhabits.

The 2.66 inch, 320 x 480 screen was simply gorgeous - very crisp, with great contrast. It made everything look excellent - I think the Blackberry OS, for all its faults, gets many things right on the home screen - the indicator icons on Windows Mobile are huge in comparison, so even by making them smaller, things look sharper and more organized on the Blackberry home screen. The keyboard felt really good, although I thought the width of the device was a bit much - it's closer to the Motorola Q9h in width, while I prefer the more slender Blackjack II. Not a deal-breaker though, I'd put up with the extra width to get that screen. Device thickness and weight were reasonable.

Performance was very snappy - apps just flew, screens appeared and vanished quickly. I've always felt that other Blackberry models had a nice home screen, but looked like pagers once you dug a layer deeper, but the Bold has a pretty good second level as well. Video playback was very impressive as well - there was a Speed Racer sample clip that looked amazing, the best I've seen on a mobile device in a long time. The media player software was pretty weak though - it was a combination of VCR-like buttons and a DOS-like directory listing of videos. I'm spoiled by how fun and easy media browsing is on my Zune, and everything else pales in comparison.

I could only sigh as I heard my friend explain that he leaves WiFi turned on all the time, and still gets 2-3 days of heavy use out of it, because the WiFi is smart enough to stay in a super low power mode until it detects he comes home, then it connects WiFi and uses that rather than 3G. When he leaves the house, it seamlessly moves back to 3G. Now that's smart software! There were certainly parts of the software that screamed "I used to be wireless pager software!", but RIM has done a pretty good job sprucing up the look and feel of the operating system.

Oh yeah, it didn't have a high-gloss back that attracted smudges (are you listening HTC?). It really is a great hardware design. I'm sure if I spent a week using it I'd see more flaws in the software and hardware, but I have to say that as first impressions go, the Bold makes a good one - and first impressions are generally what sell phones to the public. I can't think of any Windows Mobile device that comes close to matching the Bold in terms of hardware, and that's really unfortunate.

I'm convinced that HTC in particular is so fixated on beating Apple in the touch game, that even though they don't have a great touch-friendly operating system to work with (Windows Mobile Professional is still far too stylus-based), they're ignoring the popular consumer market that RIM is making big inroads into now. When I hear a 25-year old female friend gush about how much she loves her new Blackberry Curve, a device I'd always perceived as a business device, I know there's a missing piece in Microsoft's consumer strategy - a very big piece. RIM has somehow pivoted with their product strategy just enough to allow the carriers to heavily promote Blackberry devices as being consumer devices, and based mostly on nice hardware design, consumers are buying Blackberry devices in big numbers. Microsoft and their hardware partners have to come up with a solution to this problem - and a good start would be a device that competes head-on with the Blackberry Bold and wins.

Jason Dunn owns and operates Thoughts Media Inc., a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys photography, mobile devices, blogging, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog. He has a thing for high-resolution screens.

Could This Be Windows Mobile 6.5?

Rocco Augusto — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:00:00 GMT

http://209.85.171.104/translate_c?h...JWaaQuoMwQT8wmg

"While the arrival of Windows Mobile 6.5 for the year 2009 was announced here and there, then confirmed by Steve Balmer himself at the PDC 2008, Smartphone France is very pleased to present exclusive World 2 first screenshots of what should be Windows Mobile 6.5. If for the moment there is no real information on the new version of Windows Mobile, what is happening is that Microsoft has finally decided to redesign the interface of the aging systems to try to catch up with his lags behind its competitors."

While the above screenshots are fun to look at I highly doubt these are official screenshots from Windows Mobile 6.5. For starters a large majority of the icons look awfully jagged, as if someone did a horrible job cutting them up in Photoshop. Secondly, these so called screenshots barely resemble anything graphically relevant to what is currently released, or soon to be released, by Microsoft. Over the past few years we have seen Microsoft start to make graphical tweaks and changes throughout its product line to bring their products closer together in likeness - not... this. This looks like someone’s attempt at making a homescreen, or at least mocking one up in Photoshop.

The above images are nowhere near the quality of a product created by a company with billions of dollars at their disposal. Sure we can say the same about the previous versions of Windows Mobile, but the very reason we heard that Microsoft is releasing Windows Mobile 6.5 is because they understand as far as design goes they are nowhere up to par with the competition. Knowing that, I have faith that Microsoft will put together something that is pleasing to the eye and doesn't look like something thrown together by some kid in his bedroom over the weekend. Then again, I could be wrong. What do you guys think?

Do You Have A WiFi Network At Home And If So, How Many Devices Are On It?

Ed Hansberry — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:00:00 GMT

I was just wondering how many readers of these three sites (Zune Thoughts, Pocket PC Thoughts and Smartphone Thoughts) had wireless networks at home. By just having a device that these sites cater to, it is likely you have a WiFi enabled device. I just got a Zune 8 about 3-4 weeks ago, my first Zune, and love how I am able to sync with my PC's media database over the network, which only increases my frustration with my Windows Mobile device's inability to sync via WiFi.

My list of WiFi enabled devices that I use daily include:

Work Laptop (Vista Ultimate)
Wife's Laptop (XP Pro)
Three Series 2 TiVo's
Wife's T-Mobile Dash with Windows Mobile 6.0
My K-Jam with Windows Mobile 6.1
My HTC Universal with Windows Mobile 6.0
The family Wii

So I have 9 devices used online in any given week on my WLAN, plus the family desktop PC that is connected to the router via Ethernet. Note that I have a few other devices like an older iPAQ 3900 with the sleeve and WiFi card (2003 all over again!) and my son has a Nintendo DS that we just haven't bothered to put on the network. I even have a 1999 Dell Latitude that works on the network, but to say it is slow would be an understatement. I am sure that looks like a lot to some here, but I am sure more than a few of you will be able to make me look like a Luddite by comparison.

SBSH Releases PhoneWeaver 1.3, PocketWeather 2.1

Darius Wey — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:00:00 GMT

http://sbsh.net/

You requested features; SBSH delivered. PhoneWeaver 1.3 and PocketWeather 2.1 have just hit the streets, and there's plenty in both to satisfy new and existing users alike. To try, buy, or update, head over to our affiliate software store:

Participate In the 5th Annual Spb Survey and Win!

Darius Wey — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:30:00 GMT

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/support/survey.php

"Spb Software, world's leading mobile software developer, invites all mobile users to participate in its fifth annual Spb Survey. The Spb Survey is a mobile software industry report that identifies the changing user profiles, mobile device preferences, and handset use cases. Spb Software will release a report on the results of its fifth annual Spb Survey in the beginning of December 2008. Issued by a mobile software usability expert and a recognized brand on the consumer market, Spb Survey reaches out to mobile users directly, bypassing the prism of mobile operators and professional analytical houses. This year's survey has a more compact structure, new questions, and is supported by eXpansys, the world's leading retailer of smartphones and handheld devices with wireless connectivity. A few lucky, randomly picked Spb Survey participants will receive valuable 'thank you' gifts, such as a Windows Mobile device or software by Spb."

As well as providing the industry with a valuable insight into changing trends, the annual Spb Survey is a chance for you to win big. This year, Spb Software House will select participants on a random basis and offer them prizes. Said prizes range from bundles of Spb software to any Windows Mobile device and related accessories valued at up to $1,000 USD. Now, if that's not attractive enough to encourage participation, then I'm not sure what else is.

Microsoft Updates Windows Mobile 6.1 Emulator Images; Includes Internet Explorer Mobile 6

Darius Wey — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:30:00 GMT

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...&displaylang=en

"Windows Mobile 6.1.4 includes the new Internet Explorer Mobile 6, a full-featured browser for Windows Mobile devices that brings the same high-quality browsing experience to the user as desktop browsers. Internet Explorer Mobile 6 supports desktop-quality rendering and has the best compliance support of all versions of Internet Explorer on a Windows Mobile device to date. Several new features and improved support allows users to complete tasks quickly and easily."

Microsoft has updated its Windows Mobile emulator images to 6.1.4. This release includes the new Internet Explorer Mobile 6 - which isn't exactly a stellar upgrade to this infamous browser, but a welcome one nonetheless. For a list of new features, check the Windows Mobile Team Blog.

These images will appeal most to developers. For the end-users reading this, you know the drill: if you want Internet Explorer Mobile 6 on your device, you'll have to wait and hope that your respective OEM or carrier feels ever-so-generous and blesses you with an update.

HTC 740 Now Shipping!

Pete Paxton — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT

http://www.expansys-usa.com/d.aspx?...rtner=pthoughts

"Designed with both beauty and function in mind, the S740's slender formation of bold angles and distinctive facets perfectly conceals a slide-out keyboard that makes typing-intensive tasks more pleasurable than ever before. Working in perfect harmony with the S740's quick messaging tools, writing documents, texts, emailing and instant messaging conversations feel as natural as they do on a notebook, giving you the freedom to communicate the way you enjoy the most."

Yep, Expansys has an expected release date of the 24th of November. This looks like a cool phone. A 528 mhz processor, 256 ram, Windows Mobile 6.1, HSDPA/WCDMA with up to 384 kbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps download speeds, standalone GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, MicroSD slot, and a 3.2 megapixel camera. What's not to like about the HTC 740? I remember when computers had far less specs than this. Expansys has it unlocked for $549.99. [Affiliate] To be honest, with these specs I thought it would cost more. So are you going to get one? Let us know.

Steve Ballmer Confirms Windows Mobile App-Store in the Works

Rocco Augusto — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/08/...re-distribution

"Steve Ballmer, at the recently held developers conference at Sydney, Australia, said that Microsoft is working on a App-store like software distribution. Apple's iPhone and App-store have really stirred the Windows Mobile Market. Though there are many 'app-store like' distributions, for example - Handango, they are not something that is offered directly from Microsoft. But at the same time Ballmer also mentioned there are no plans to mimic iPhone's App-store."

Has anyone else noticed how talkative Steve Ballmer has been lately? For the longest time now we haven't heard anything from Microsoft and now it is as though they took the gag out of Steve's mouth! I know we reported on this a while back, but it is nice to see some of the higher-ups in Microsoft confirming what were before just rumors. No matter what Microsoft decides to do anything will be better than Handango. The last time I used Handango the site was so poorly laid out that I felt as though I was pulling out my own teeth. Though Microsoft will have to be careful shaking things up to much. We all know how much the Windows Mobile developers out there love Handango and might not want to use anything else! (That last sentance was pure sarcasm for anyone that didn't pick up on it!)

What Makes a Smartphone a Smartphone?

Pete Paxton — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT

We have a large variety of devices out there now. With Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Palm, Nokia, the Iphone, and Google's G1, many would call these smartphones. But as I look around the web I've read that some say devices like the G1 or iphone are not smartphones. Some say they are multimedia phones. When I compare my Dash and my Iphone, there are definitely some differences but there are also many similarities. They both play music, videos, handle all my appointments, contacts, ebooks, bible, internet, email, camera, and so on. So what do you all think? Are all the devices mentioned smartphones? Are some smartphones and some not? Does it matter if the device has a touch screen or not? And of course the real question: What makes a smartphone a smartphone?Â

Microsoft Patches Windows Mobile 6.1 SMTP Bug

Ed Hansberry — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:30:00 GMT

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...splaylang=en&tm

Microsoft has patched the bug in Windows Mobile 6.1 where the email database could become corrupt and you are unable to send emails via POP3 or IMAP4 through an SMTP server. Outlook/Exchange emails, as well as SMS/MMS messages were unaffected. We discussed this here recently.

"This behavior is associated with a feature that is introduced in Windows Mobile 6.1. The feature allows for mobile operators to specify an alternate SMTP server name that is used if e-mail messages cannot be sent by using the user-specified SMTP server name. If the mobile operator does not specify an alternate SMTP server name and if the Windows Mobile 6.1-based device does not connect, the e-mail account is corrupted and cannot send e-mail messages."

There is a 105KB CAB file to copy to your device and install from there or a 652KB MSI file to install while docked to your PC. I haven't tried to download directly from that page on my WM6.1 device yet. I don't understand why the MS site says this is supported on WM 6.0 as well as 6.1. My understanding is this bug is the result of a new feature in 6.1. It does affect both the Smartphone and Pocket PC variants, so if you have WM 6.1 and use POP3 or IMAP4 email, you should install this patch, and keep it handy. I suspect it would be lost if you hard reset your device for whatever reason.