Smartphone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"The Arcade Park collection was carefully designed to revive the legendary games of the past. Classics such as Arcade Ball, Asteroids, Rushman, Digger, Gold Hunter and Galaxy Invaders are available alongside military games Real Tanx and Riverside Assault."



There's nothing like some good old fashion arcade fun! It's funny how things have advanced by leaps and bounds in the gaming world, but we're all still attached to the classics. Well, I am at least. I cant' speak for all of you. 8) You can download a free trial or purchase a copy at our affiliate store.

"The Microsoft� .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP2 Redistributable contains the common language runtime and class libraries built for the .NET Compact Framework. In addition to supporting version 2.0, it also supports applications developed for version 1.0 and service pack releases before version 2.0. Important: This redistributable enables running .NET Compact Framework applications on the Pocket PC, Pocket PC Phone Edition, Smartphone, and other Windows CE powered devices. To develop .NET Compact Framework applications, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SDK are required."



Microsoft has released Service Pack 2 for the .NET Compact Framework 2.0. The update features a bunch of fixes, check out the Service Pack 2 download page for more details. In case you have the .NET CF 2.0 installed on your Smartphone, then you should download this update and install it on your device. And don't forget, you can install the .NET CF on the storage card. ;-)

The Gigantic Giveaway Event comes to a close. This week we have our final giveaway and as we told you last week, it's a little different than all the others. Today's giveaway is a "fastest fingers" event. We have some super nice mobile device wallpaper from Gx5. Please keep in mind, these are wallpapers and not themes. If you like the theme you're using and just want to spice it up a little with some crisp/clean wallpaper, then these 4 wallpaper packs from Gx5 have what it takes. We have 30 copies to give away. (Each copy contains all 4 wallpaper packs in it.) All you need to do to win one, is click this link, right here and follow the instructions to download your copy. You have until all 30 copies have been claimed at which point the Gigantic Giveaway Event will come to a close. :)



"Gx5�s mobile device wallpapers have been meticulously designed to give your home screen a new and refreshingly vibrant experience that will captivate and inspire you. We light up your home screen with the best nature has to offer along with precision �tech like� graphics that make your high tech mobile device stand out from the crowd."

"Tired of carrying multiple chargers, one for each different device (the Pocket PC, the Smartphone, the iPod, the Portable Media Center, the Bluetooth stereo headphones, the Bluetooth stereo adapter, the rechargeable Bluetooth GPS, and more)? I was too. Until I found that Socket's Mobile Power Pack was actually available in New Zealand. I bought one of these for my own use (plus a couple to give to some geek friends) and immediately reaped the benefits. The idea is simple: a super 5 volt rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, with 7,200 mAh capacity (output is 5 volts @ 1.8 Amps) � and a USB Type A plug."



Got a lot of gadgets? Sick of carrying all the power cables around? Check out the Socket Mobile Power Pack review from Geekzone. It could be just what you're looking for. I know a number of you already have one of these all-in-one power packs, let us know how you're getting by with them. Was it worth the investment?

"Battery Pack Pro is a collection of 6 programs designed to make it easier to use your Smartphone. Battery Pack Pro for the Pocket PC was the #1 selling application in 2002 & 2003."



Well I'm sorry to say the new release of one of my favorite utilities, while it does display correctly on the QVGA screen, seems to have a major bug. You cannot switch the icons in the program bar! There have been a few posts about this in Omega One's forum. In addition our affiliate link still states QVGA is not supported but it now is. I'm sure OmegaOne will get it fixed soon. I'll keep you updated. [Affiliate]

"As mobile devices become a larger part of the information technology (IT) infrastructure, managing them becomes a greater challenge. Join this webcast to learn how device management works on the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform. See demonstrations of features and functionality, and learn how to use the components of Windows Mobile that provide device management capability. We also illustrate how you can utilize the Messaging and Security Feature Pack in an enterprise environment."

Till now we have only seen white papers and articles that describe the power of the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile devices. This webcast I believe is the first presentation that gives visual demonstration of what the features are and how it will benefit us. I like visuals and demonstrations more than white papers. ;-) Now all we need is a chat session with the Microsoft folks.

"This white paper examines how Microsoft responds to the evolving mobility needs of your business. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 communication and collaboration server with Service Pack 2 (SP2), and Windows Mobile 5.0 with the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) deliver an integrated, scalable, security-enhanced and cost-effective enterprise mobile messaging solution."



Microsoft has released a white paper detailing the benefits and the features that will be enabled by the use of Windows Mobile 5.0 and Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 and Messaging and Security Feature Pack (and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync Mobile Web Administration tool). By now I believe everyone is sold on the benefits and features. What the folks are expecting from Microsoft and the Smartphone vendors is the formal release date for the Messaging and Security Feature Pack, which needs to be applied on the Window Mobile 5.0 devices before they can take advantage of the features detailed in the white paper. :roll: In fact it would be good if Microsoft released a white paper detailing all the components that are needed to enable direct push E-Mail and security features like remote wipe. And when these components are expected to hit the streets. Something that is not clear is, and many believe, that apart from the update for the devices, there is another update for the Exchange 2003 server, that will add the Windows Mobile 5.0 provisioning and security features. I believe it is called Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync Mobile Web Administration tool. It would be good if Microsoft clarified that. :evil:

"Well If I had a pound for every email I'd had this week surrounding the availability of the Messaging and Security Feature Pack - I'd currently be holidaying at my beachfront property in the Carribean. Now we've released Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 to the Web there is a lot of confusion as to how customers get hold of the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) for their devices. Let me try and clarify this."

Jason Langridge answers the question we have all been asking. Well I wasn't asking it but I know a lot of folks were. I didn't even know I should be looking for it. At any rate if you were asking give this a read.

"The sexy stuff starts with new features. Microsoft is definitely looking to cash in on America�s gadget craze: Exchange is now capable of a variety of new smartphone and PDA-type features, centering on something called Direct Push Technology. This deal sends out whatever Exchange information the user�s entitled to, including not only e-mail but calendaring, contacts, the whole shebang. What�s nice is that this push is fairly intelligent. First off, it�s encrypted, and the Redmondians showed me a live demo of just how quick a transfer could be. Further speeding things up is that large messages and attached files are truncated. You can view pieces and then decide whether it's something you need to see in its entirety or to spare the bandwidth for something else."

Oliver Rist, over at InfoWorld.com, has a nice write up that covers off some of the bug fixes, and a lot of the new features that Exchange Service Pack 2 offers. While Direct Push may be the biggest part of SP2, there are other cool new features for the desktop users like using Sender Policy Framework (SPF) to identify phishing scams. I've been meaning to setup an Exchange server, and it's starting to look like it will be sooner rather than later. :mrgreen:

Today's the day. Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 has been released offering much better always on email solution for the Windows Mobile enabled worker. :mrgreen: While this is big news and a great step forward for Windows Mobile devices, you won't be able to enjoy the mobile benefits of SP2 unless you have the Messaging & Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5 installed on your device. Hopefully we'll be seeing a flood of Windows Mobile 5 devices over the next little while with the MSFP baked into the ROM. 8)

The guys over at the Exchange Team Blog have posted links to the different language downloads that are available for SP2. Happy installing everyone!

Got some time on your hands? You might want to check out this 4 game pack which includes: 3D Nine Hole Golf, 3D Ten Pin Bowling, 3D Owen's Monster Truck and 3D Volcano Island. It's not cheap at $20.65 but a trial version is also available.

"Battery Pack Pro is a collection of 6 programs designed to make it easier to use your Smartphone. Battery Pack Pro for the Pocket PC was the #1 selling application in 2002 & 2003. See why people found it so indispensable"



With features like a battery bar, program bar, task manager, and power clean, it's no wonder this application is such a big success on the Pocket PC Platform. You can download a trial version, or purchase a full copy for $19.99 here. [Affiliate]

Are you a Club i-mate member? The membership to this exclusive club is reserved for the i-mate device owners. So if you recently purchased the i-mate SP3i and are looking for some games. Then head over to Club i-mate and download the FREE games pack. The games pack contains the following games: Aqua Blocks, Blocks Plus, Cannons, Fireball, Jewel Master, Links, Snake and Tennis Addict. :)




Club i-mate is also offering its members, CJaq, the world's first video drama series produced for mobile devices. CJaq episodes can be downloaded from here. And those who are not fortunate enough to be Club i-mate members can check out the first three episodes.

"1-GameBox is a bundle of eight popular games, including Invaders, Pong, Dominoes, Checkers, Blackjack, Video Poker, Blocks and Logical Squares. The games are also available on an individual basis if preferred. Offering the eight games in a single bundle gives users the opportunity to get a wide range of games at a great price."



This looks like a pretty nice collection of classic arcade style gaming. There is a trial version available for download, or you can purchase the full 8 game bundle for a low introductory price of $9.99!

Microsoft has released Windows XP Service Pack 2 to manufacturing. It is currently available to MSDN subscribers for download. General download availability should come sometime next week. CDs will be available to order in the event you don't want to deal with the Internet traffic jam this download will surely cause.

The service pack features a number of security enhancements, including a stronger firewall than the one currently in Windows XP. It will also be on by default. Service Pack 2 will also have improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stacks, and a number of new features for Tablet PC and Media Center users.

I'm pulling down the update now. I never got around to testing the betas or release candidates with ActiveSync, so I'll let you know how it goes over the next few days. That is about the only thing I can think of that could impact Smartphone and Pocket PC users. While we are waiting for the release to be widely available, now would be a great time to formulate your backup strategy if you don't have one. Microsoft went to great lengths to make sure that nothing would go wrong during the upgrade, but we computing enthusiasts are all too familiar with Murphy's law. Be sure to back up important documents, your e-mail if it is kept locally, and export the settings from any application that would be a pain to set up again in the event of something bad happening (like IE favorites, or MS Money settings).

I'm really looking forward to this service pack being widely distributed. Hopefully, it will help to ease the quantity of security issues we deal with each day.

"IF you do mobile development, and you use Visual Studio .NET 2003, THEN I highly recommend that you install the Windows CE Utilities for Visual Studio .NET 2003 Add-on Pack 1.1. This package provides you with several invaluable utilities, not available elsewhere! FOR example: you get the Smart Device Authentication Utility, which allows you to set up and utilize a connection to a device using only the TCP/IP protocol, (no ActiveSync)."

If you're a Windows Mobile developer and you haven't bookmarked this site yet, I suggest you do so now. Larry continues the sites trend of providing developers with useful information and insight into Windows Mobile.

"In January, Microsoft issued a semi-public beta of its upcoming Service Pack 2 (SP2) release for Windows XP, a major upgrade for XP users that's focused largely on security. The Windows XP SP2 Beta isn't feature-complete--Microsoft tells me it's still fine-tuning the final feature set--but it does provide an interesting look at the direction the company is taking with its so-called "Springboard" security technologies, which are designed to retroactively apply recent security thinking to pre-existing products. (XP SP2 isn't the only Springboard release you can expect to see this year: Office 2003 Service Release 1, due in May, will also feature Springboard security technologies, as will Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, due in late 2004.)

"We've got quite a bit of work to do before its end-user ready," Matt Pilla, senior product manager for the Windows group, told me during a recent visit to the Microsoft campus. "The goal here is to get security features out to customers as soon as possible, but make sure its customizable enough that it doesn't block deployments." Pilla told me that 500 or so beta testers are evaluating the SP2 Beta code, in addition to MSDN Universal members. The goal now is to get feedback on the changes. The SP2 Beta isn't writ in stone: Microsoft has already made some changes since the SP2 Beta release and will significantly change the user interface for updated features like the Windows Firewall and wireless networking between now and the final release, Pilla said.""

This isn't directly related to Smartphones, but the pending release of SP2 for Windows XP is a significant event. There some cool new features and tools, and we won't have to pay for it like Mac users do for their OS updates. :lol:

"200 themes of mountains, beaches, sunsets, sky, flowers, textures, animals and so on. Each theme is designed for maximum aesthetics, clarity and screen contrast. The most fantastic collection of themes available at the lowest price!"

I was going to link to the animated GIF screen shot, but it's 372 KB! 8O I'm not convinced that the quality of these themes is all that great, but 200 for $5.00 is quite a deal, so if you want quantity, go for it. ;-) [Affilate]

Neil Cowburn has pointed out that the recently released Service Pack 2 for the .NET Compact Framework will work for Pocket PC and other Windows CE devices but it cannot be installed on Smartphone devices. This is because the Smartphone platform does not support RAM installations of the Compact Framework. My understanding is that the SPV E200 comes with Service Pack 1 in ROM, but things are may get quite complicated for developers because of this. There are some pretty fundamental changes in the new service pack (such as the ability to set the foreground and background color on labels) so it will be interesting to see what developers do if a new device comes out with SP2 in ROM and others are still on the market with SP1. Ideally operators with Smartphone 2003 devices will act quickly to release ROM updates with SP2... but considering how long it took Orange to fix the Great Messenger Blackout, I'm not very optimistic about this.

I've added a new ring tone pack to our downloads page, so you can go grab it right away. I'm not sure what posessed me to make country-style ring tones, but here they are anyway...

� Alabama Guitar Hero: A guitar and drum shuffle, with a little electronic loop thrown in for good measure.
� Banjo Boy: A banjo player playing with a slightly stuttering kick-drum.
� Drunk as Steel: How I'd play a steel lap guitar stone cold sober.
� Happy as a Boot: A cheery tone!
� My Dog Died, My Horse Left Me, and My Wife is Cooking Supper Right Now, Which Isn't a Good Thing: The name really says it all, doesn't it?