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All posts tagged "phone"


Thursday, April 2, 2009

iZel Universal Device Stand

Posted by Chris Gohlke in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 01:00 AM

http://www.myizel.com/

"The iZel is a totally unique and innovative way to support your device for hands free use. Its remarkable design supports a wide range of the world's most popular devices. It has a clever method for adapting its shape to landscape or portrait orientations and it is easily adjusted to position your screen for the optimal viewing angle. Best of all, it folds flat and travels easily. The iZel's durable construction is made possible by using a sophisticated slip-resistant elastomer that helps to keep your device in its place and looking new. Use the iZel when you want to watch a video, make a hands-free call, monitor your email, surf the web, or to simply use your device as a digital picture frame."

This is certainly one way to go about things, but it seems a bit larger than what I want to carry around. Personally, I keep a few paperclips in my bag and just make myself a quick stand on the few occasions that I need one.


Thursday, February 26, 2009

Microsoft: "Understanding Phone Design Decisions"

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Articles" @ 08:45 PM

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmob...one-design.mspx

"In January, I had an opportunity to hear a presentation by Eric Lin, the Online Community Manager at HTC. Many of the Windows Mobile smartphones on the market today are made by HTC, even if they don't have the HTC name on them, so when it comes to smartphones, HTC is a market leader. The presentation covered several different topics, but the one I found most interesting was the question of how specific hardware design decisions impact the usability of the phone. When you pick up a Windows Mobile smartphone, the shape, size, weight, and feel of it give you an impression about the product - but did you know what kinds of decisions went into the final product you're holding? The answer may surprise you."

Read Jason's column on tethering? Well, here's another one. It discusses the design decisions that go into the phones you're carrying today - from the size of the screen to the feel of the keyboard and the sound it makes. Who knows? You may learn a thing or two that will help you choose the right phone the next time you're in the market for one.


Saturday, August 2, 2008

"Zune Phone" a Nokia?

Posted by Adam Krebs in "Zune News" @ 12:30 PM

http://www.zunescene.com/nokia-zune-phone/

"Nokia is currently working with the Zune team on integration of Zune Marketplace content according to a well placed source within Microsoft. The joint development is directed at content delivery rather than a hardware device according to the source. It has long been assumed by many tech followers that Zune content and software would find it's way onto Windows Mobile devices, thereby offering competition to the unfortunately popular iPhone. The interesting thing about the Nokia Zune partnership is that Nokia does not support Windows Mobile. It appears Microsoft may be developing a two front war against the iPhone, namely Windows based smart phones and more abundant 'non-smart' phones."

Take it or leave it, but Zune-Scene's reporting that if and when the Zune team releases a media player client for a mobile phone (a.k.a. the "Zune Phone", "zPhone" or "Pink and Purple project"), it won't be on Microsoft's own Windows Mobile platform as widely speculated, but on rival Nokia's series of smartphones. As with past Zune-Scene reports, this one is short on detail (e.g. no release date, lots of plausible deniability) and high on outlandish claims. While keeping this in mind, I should also point out that Zune-Scene's sources have been right on a number of these scoops in the past. This should be fun to watch as it develops.

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  • Source: Electronista


Thursday, June 5, 2008

Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile Developer Preview

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Software" @ 06:08 AM

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

"Windows® SideShow™ for Windows Mobile® is an application for Windows Mobile 5 and Windows Mobile 6 Pocket PCs and Smartphones that allows you to use your Windows Mobile device as a Bluetooth SideShow-compatible device. This enables you to use your phone as an extra window into your PC. You can both access your computer’s information from your Pocket PC or Smartphone, and control the computer through a gadget interface. While the phone is out of range, or when your computer is off, you can continue to view content sent to the phone previously. This makes it easy to send information to the phone that you'll need later on."



Last year, I trekked over to Beijing with fellow MVPs and other technical community leaders to meet with the Microsoft Research and Windows Vista teams. There, we discussed the direction that Windows Vista was going to take over the next few years. Microsoft obviously wanted to make the user experience better, but they wanted (needed?) ideas. While a great deal of the week-long meeting focused on the product itself, we did spend some time discussing how it could better communicate with the rest of Microsoft's products, and most importantly, take advantage of them. For the most part, it was all about Windows Mobile, and I was brimming with ideas. Can you see where this is heading?

Yes, we discussed Windows SideShow, which at the time was one of Windows Vista's most impressive features, yet sadly, one of the most underused, too. Not everyone has a digital picture frame or a laptop with an in-lid display. But a lot of us have phones, and if you're reading this, it's probably a Windows Mobile phone. I often wondered why Microsoft didn't endow its own mobile product with SideShow support right off the bat. Some third parties cooked up their own solutions, but adoption was far from widespread, and I was sincerely hoping that Microsoft would realize their oversight and rectify the situation by releasing an official solution to bring SideShow to Windows Mobile.

So, here we are, a year later and Microsoft has heeded advice and finally released a developer preview. It's at v0.01, so don't expect it to be rock solid, but it'll still give you a taste of things to come. Our pal, Arne, has given it a test run and likes what he sees. Maybe you will too. Download it, install it, and let us know what you think.


Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Purchase Microsoft Points With Your Phone... In Japan

Posted by Darius Wey in "Digital Home News" @ 10:30 AM

http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/05...o-to-suppo.html



What if filling up on Microsoft Points was as easy as picking up your phone and having the cost added to your phone bill? That's how it is for NTT DoCoMo users in Japan, and hopefully, that's just a starting point.

If Microsoft is working with other carriers to make this available around the world, great. If not, they probably should. A vast majority of Xbox Live Marketplace and Zune Marketplace users probably have a mobile device of some sort - some have their reasons against directly linking their Windows Live ID and credit card together, while others don't always want to make the trek to their local store to pick up one of the many Microsoft Points cards on offer, so this third option makes a lot of sense.


Thursday, April 24, 2008

All AT&T Phones - $0.01 or Less

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC News" @ 11:45 AM

http://tinyurl.com/5d9r4m

"For one day only on Amazon.com, get any AT&T phone for only one penny when you purchase a new 2-year service plan. The cost of these phones is either a penny - or better than free, making the purchase cash-positive with rebate after purchase. The Tilt, BlackBerry 8820, and Treo 680 or Treo 750 are a penny or less after rebate. Get bestselling phones like the RAZR2 and the BlackBerry Curve for a drastically reduced price. Don't miss out on this opportunity -- tomorrow it will be gone."



No, your eyes are not deceiving you. All AT&T phones are on Amazon for one cent or less. Uh... less, you say? Yep, factor in those rebates and you can actually rake in a bit of cash just for picking up one of these phones. Focusing on Windows Mobile, there's the Tilt for $-0.01, the Blackjack II for $-49.99, the Motorola Q9h for $-24.99, and the Treo 750 for $-0.01. And if you're looking at other devices as well, there's a chance to pocket up to $150. Of course, these are all on a contract, but are great deals nonetheless. Better hurry - one day only!

Tags: phone, amazon, at&t, 0.01

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Design the Next LG Phone and Win Big

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Events" @ 10:00 AM

http://www.lginnovation.com/event-i...1000&j=3575&e=4

"LG is challenging you to come up with the next great phone. You could win: money, LG LCDs, new phones and home entertainment prizes. So tear off a sheet in your sketch book or fire up your favorite design app and channel your creativity toward the next LG Phone. You have until 4/30/08."



LG hasn't offered a great deal in the Windows Mobile space, but that could change with a bit of ingenuity. Concoct something great, and you could win big. Get crackin' - only eight days to go!

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  • Source: Mobility Site


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

HTC Patent Shows Off New Slider Concept

Posted by Darius Wey in "NEWS" @ 09:00 AM

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...=DN/20080064448



The concept of an integrated number keypad and QWERTY keyboard is neat, although I'm not sure if the design is a winner. The device seems a little long, but probably can't be much longer than existing Pocket PCs (or should I say, Windows Mobile Professional devices) with slide-out QWERTY keyboards. And the diagonal-sliding display? Let's hope it manages to stay securely in place even after months of use. Your thoughts on this one?

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  • Source: Unwired View


Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Ginormous RAZR 2 Crashes Into Mercedes, Film At Eleven

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "Smartphone Talk" @ 12:43 PM

http://www.techtickerblog.com/2007/09/30/razr-2-cuts-off-the-mighty-merc/

"Hats off to the RAZR 2 Marketing team for pulling out an excellent campaign in Russia. Even the snobbish Merc can’t stand still to RAZR’s sharpness. Very well executed. More pics after the jump."



Oh man! I know this isn't really Smartphone related, but it is hilarious. Needless to say, you never hear about giant Window Mobile Standard devices falling out the sky and smashing cars! As the Hulk would say, "RAZR Smash!"

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  • Source: Engadget Mobile


Thursday, June 7, 2007

Phone Subsidies Hurting Consumers?

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "THOUGHT" @ 01:24 PM

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/may2007/gb20070529_601522.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

"The fight over customers is so fierce that, for new subscribers, operators will even offer their year-old models for as little as a penny. The tab for subsidies alone can set the operators back some $16 billion a year...Sounds like a bonus for the common man, right? Not necessarily. The operators recoup their spending by charging consumers steep prices for air time."

Talk about hitting the nail on the head. During my time working for Cingular, and ever other major carrier in the United States, I was amazed to learn just how scandalous all of the carriers were with their hidden fees, incredible jacked up air-time charges, as well as cancellation penalties. My all time favorite story involves one of my customers that accumulated a $6,000USD phone bill all because her son went over their allocated minutes due to not having unlimited nights and weekends and used a couple thousand text messages. Sounds pretty crazy, huh? You know what is even crazier? If that same customer would have spent an extra $40USD to cover both unlimited SMS as well as bumping her plan up to the next available minutes package, which included unlimited nights and weekends, she would have been fine. Go figure! :(

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  • Source: Pocket PC Thoughts


Wednesday, May 23, 2007

How Many Mobile Phone Number Fields Outlook (Mobile) should have?

Posted by Pete Paxton in "THOUGHT" @ 11:00 AM

http://www.theunwired.net/?itemid=3862

"Not sure how it is about you but for me, Outlook lacks one important field: private mobile phone numbers. Outlook has many fields for contact details, like Assistant phone number (very useful), Business Fax, Home Fax, Other Fax (three fax number fields? ), Pager (who is using a Pager today), Primary and Radio (what ever it is) and even Telex (though the last Telex was disconnected in the late 80s in the last century) but Outlook 2007 has just one filed for mobile numbers! I'm not going to say that all the previously mentioned fields don't make any sense anymore today but please - why just one Mobile field after Microsoft just recently introduced its new Outlook 2007, Exchange 2007 and Windows Mobile 6? Wouldn't it be the perfect timing to introduce new fields?"

User submitted image

Is Microsoft just copying and pasting their Outlook mobile WM5 template into their Outlook mobile WM6 template and adding a few extra functions to make it look fresh? Sometimes I wonder if Microsoft is real-world thinking about what is really needed for 2007. Here we have an article that feels that the fields in Outlook mobile are outdated and should contain fields that are more revelent for today. What do you think? Does Outlook mobile need an overhaul such as number of fields to fit today's real world contact management functions? What else would you add or subtract?


Senator Who Voted for Anti-Cellphone-Driving Law Crashes Car -- While on the Phone

Posted by Jerry Raia in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/21/senator-whos-voted-on-anti-cellphone-driving-laws-crashes-car/

"We're sure somewhere Drew Curtis's head is exploding over this one: submitted for your perusal, one California State Senator Carole Migden -- former voter for a state bill that fines people for using their cellphones while driving -- rear-ended her state-issued SUV into a Honda sedan on Highway 12 in Solano County, today. While on her phone. The driver of the Honda was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, although the most painful aspect of this story is surely the jaws-of-life-biting irony."

I think she was just trying to "drive" the point home. So to speak. :lol:


Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Microsoft: Why Not Use Your Phone as a Cheap PC?

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "THOUGHT" @ 12:08 PM

http://www.physorg.com/news98525702.html

"While the PDA has existed as a sort of mini-PC for years, Microsoft said it would encourage phone manufacturers to formalize the transition of the phone to a mobile PC through a research initiative called "Fone+". Microsoft Research chief Craig Mundie said that Microsoft has a research project called "Fone+" that would allow the phone to work with a TV as a secondary display, and one that could allow video stored on the device to be played back on the television."

The whole "Fone+" concept seems very similar to the presentation Bill Gates gave at CES a year or so ago. This concept is incredibly cool but there is just one small problem. Have you looked at the prices of some of the Windows Mobile, Nokia or Palm based smartphones out there on the market now when you purchase them without a contract?! It is highway robbery! You would be better off just buying an inexpensive laptop or a new Ultra Mobile PC. While this concept is still great on paper, until they figure out a way to make these handsets cost less than an arm and a leg, I think I'll pass. :)

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  • Source: Pocket PC Thoughts


Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Get a Dash Phone for Cheap

Posted by Jerry Raia in "HARDWARE" @ 12:00 PM

http://blogs.msdn.com/devmktg/archive/2007/03/19/the-dash-is-now-only-49-99-for-developers.aspx

"This offer is only available through this "secret link". There is a test :-) - the process to get to order is not as simple as we would like it to be, but hey, you are saving a $300 dollars (via rebate): Select "Save on the latest devices from T-Mobile" in the next page select "Click Here for Discounts" then "View Products" and last "Handhelds and PDAs" The $49.99 is only for new activations, does not include activation fee, and only requires a one year commitment, which is pretty good. The better news is that you will be able to upgrade it to Windows Mobile 6 via a sofwtare download soon."

User submitted image

Even though I don't own one, I got to play with one for a few days. I really liked the Dash. You Dash owners are lucky and if you don't have one here is a shot at it pretty cheap! You have to jump through a couple hoops, so start jumping!

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  • Source: John Kennedy's Blog

Tags: phone, cheap, dash

Thursday, March 8, 2007

More Details Emerge on the Mythical Google Phone

Posted by Jerry Raia in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/06/more-details-emerge-on-the-mythical-google-phone/

"Now that the iPhone has moved from rumor limbo into the land of the living (at least we think so -- how many people have actually touched one?), we obviously need another mythical mobile to drool over and speculate about -- and the natural candidate is, of course, the so-called Google phone. While the big G has been making inroads on your handset with mobile versions of its search, email, and mapping software for some time, there has been growing speculation that the company is working on its own hardware -- speculation that only intensified when we published that pic of a supposed Google / Samsung collaboration called the Switch..."

User submitted image

I hope Google does make this phone, I really do. I haven't had anything to bash since the MPx220 and this would go beyond my wildest dreams. Beta jokes aside, I say we begin a petition to encourage Google to make this turkey. The resulting comedy would be well worth it. Maybe we could take up a collection? :roll:


Sunday, February 25, 2007

Mobile Phone Distributors Dangaard and Brightpoint to Merge

Posted by Mike Temporale in "NEWS" @ 12:00 PM

http://news.tmcnet.com/news/2007/02/22/2362620.htm

"Brightpoint, a U.S.-based distributor of wireless products, is reportedly ready to acquire Dangaard Telecom, a Europe-based distributor of wireless products, for about $300 million in a cash/stock transaction. The merger, which is expected to be finalized by the end of second quarter of 2007, will enable both companies to expand their advanced wireless products and better serve their business partners and customers. It is forecast to result in revenue growth for both companies, which have a combined 25,000 customers worldwide. Brightpoint and Dangaard distributed more than 64 million mobile phones in 2006"

The merger of Brightpoint and Dangaard could be good news for fans of Windows Mobile here in North America. Brightpoint focused on North American phones, while Dangaard is focused on the European market. With any luck this will open the doors and make it easier to get our hands on more of those devices that only get released in Europe. :D


Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Dude, Where's My Phone?

Posted by Rocco Augusto in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 04:12 AM

http://nerdofsteel.com/dude-wheres-my-phone

Have you ever just had one of those days where one crazy thing happens after another? Well this past Friday I had one of those days and it completely caught me off guard. After writing about it on my blog and sharing a few laughs with the Smartphone Thoughts news crew, we decided that our readers might get a chuckle out of the story as well. Enjoy!:)
Some of you may not know this about me, but I do not like to drive. After getting into a pretty bad car accident a few years back, I like to take my chances on public transportation. For the most part, I find it mildly relaxing. I can sit back and catch up on my daily news or listen to music via my Stereo Bluetooth Headset.

This last Friday, as I was waiting for my bus to go to work, a gentleman approached me and asked to borrow my phone to make a call. Normally, being the nice guy that I am, I would have been more than happy to. Time and time again though, I have learned that most people are not considerate of other individuals� property. Usually it�s the person that just wants to gab to their friends with total disregard for the fact that I am footing the bill for that call. Keeping this in mind I politely told the person no.

The person that was standing next to me seemed to be annoyed by my lack of kindness towards helping my fellow man and in the most passive aggressive tone possible told the person �Well, you can use my phone,� as if I just made some huge social faux pas.

Now some people might feel that the passive aggressive tone was deserved. For a split second I almost felt that way. My whole life I was taught to be helpful towards others in need and to treat people how I would want to be treated. If I was in a tough spot, I might need to borrow someone�s phone as it is becoming harder and harder to find a pay phone here in the City of Roses. Then I realized, if anything happened to my Samsung Blackjack, it would be close to impossible to get a stranger to reimburse me for the damages and I stopped beating myself up over it.

Then something happened that caught me completely off guard. Not even two seconds after this Good Samaritan handed over his phone, the other guy took off down the street running! That phone was as good as gone and it was at that time that I realized that it was almost my phone that would have performed this vanishing act. Needless to say, the Good Samaritan looked pretty embarrassed and just sat there dumbfounded not knowing what to do� so I let him borrow my phone to call for help. :)

Tags: phone, , wheres, dude

Friday, February 16, 2007

Schedule When Your Phone is On with SleepWell

Posted by Mike Temporale in "SOFTWARE" @ 01:30 PM

http://www.smartphone-freeware.com/download-sleepwell-v1-1.html

"SleepWell! adds a new functionality of automatic turning Off and On the phone module in accordance to your time plan. Events can be scheduled based on definite time, dates and days of the week. It is very convenient, because the workday schedule and weekend and holiday schedule can differ. The program has an ability to activate and deactivate scheduled events. There is no need to delete and create them again."

User submitted image

This is a pretty cool looking application and it's free! There are some other tools that offer this type of functionality and more, but not at this price. If you decide to try it, let us know your thoughts. :)


Friday, January 12, 2007

Move Over Apple, Synaptics Shows Touch Screen Phone

Posted by Kris Kumar in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 09:45 PM

http://news.com.com/1606-12994_3-6150132.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news

"At CES 2007 in Las Vegas, ZDNet Executive Editor David Berlind speaks to Synaptics' Sr. Director Mariel van Tatenhove about the company's innovative touch screen concept phone."

User submitted image

Wow, it didn't take long. 8O While Steve Jobs was getting all the attention and media-hype for the iPhone, Synaptics was quietly demoing the Onyx concept phone at the CES. The CNET video shows how the new touch screen technology can improve the user experience. I wonder if this is the same technology that is in use on the Apple iPhone? Regardless, it looks like the touch screens are going to be back in style because of the new stylus, our fingers. I think I will have to review my anti-touch-screen stance. ;-)


Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Motorola Plans Bicycle Powered Cell Phone Charger

Posted by Mike Temporale in "HARDWARE" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=3a80d1f4-6d3d-4d1d-9ff0-93de3b395108&k=17091

"Motorola Inc. will release a new, bicycle-powered cellphone charger aimed at Third World residents who lack regular household power supplies. "For people living in emerging markets, energy is a scarcity," Motorola chief executive Ed Zander said Monday at the Consumer Electronics Show. "In Southeast Asia, rural China and Latin America, we can actually put this in, hook it up and charge this device while we are riding a bike." Zander played up the device, by entering a packed auditorium at the Venetian Hotel on a bright yellow two-wheeler, to the music of Queen's Bicycle Race. He told the crowd the new charging system was aimed at helping to further penetration of the cellular phone in fast-growing overseas markets. He said there are now more than two billion mobile devices in operation around the world."

Alright, this is pretty funny. It's a great idea, but something about it just makes me laugh. There are plenty of people around the world that ride bicycles on a daily basis and this would be a great way to pump a little more juice into your phone during the commute. I just can't stop thinking about the poor guy who has to ride around in circles for an hour to recharge his phone. :lol:

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  • Source: Textually.org


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