Smartphone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"For the past two days I've had the luxury of playing around with a pre-production Motorola Q9m, a Windows Mobile 6 smartphone destined for Verizon Wireless. After messing around with it and comparing it with the original Q, it seems quite obvious to me that the Q9m is a re-skinned Q with a new OS and a number of software enhancements. This is both good and bad. Physically, the Q9m is a near masterpiece. It is a simple but good looking device. It is very solidly built, and the metal frame around its edges make it look quite rugged."



Reviews are starting to show up all over the place for the new Motorola Q9 models. Mobile Burn has a review of the Q9m Verizon model and Gear Diary has a Quick Look post on the Q9h GSM AT&T model. Personally, I'm pretty interested in the GSM version of this device. If Moto has managed to adjust the battery life then this phone has the best chance of getting me to switch off the BlackJack.

"With the latest Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 2.3 release for Smartphones, Microsoft added some useful features to its Smartphone platform, including a file explorer and a slightly modified Start menu. Microsoft always uses these AKU releases to either fix bugs or to add new features and while most stuff and changes are under the hood, these two new features can be seen and used by the users and both adds more convenience to the Smartphone use."

One of the things I like about my Q is being able to scroll through all the programs in the start grid view. Until now you had to "more" your way through it on all the other Smartphones. Some enhancements to the built in file explorer are also included. The catch here of course is will you be able get your hands on this latest AKU. Here is a list of them so you can see where you are. :)

"Since coming on the market in June, Motorola Inc.'s (MOT) much-hyped Q smartphone has sold at a steady pace. Now the question is whether the company can meet the aggressive sales target it set for its first six months. Investors will get a clearer idea of how well the Q is selling when Motorola reports second-quarter results Wednesday. The company expects to ship 1.5 million units in the first 180 days, though Motorola has shown signs it could deliver two million units, according to some analysts."

Interesting article about the Q and it's appeal. I can tell you after a few weeks of using it I am still very impressed with it. It is safe to say Motorola has hit a home run with it. Yes there are some minor issues which will come out in a forthcoming review but over all, an excellent device and even if not the perfect Blackberry killer, it comes very close. I hope Motorola sells millions of them because it is a solid Smartphone. One item in the article caught my attention. "Seniors without a personal computer at home also showed interest in the device as a way to get Internet access". EvDO on Verizon is so impressively quick that it is an idea whose time may be upon us. Internet access without any PC. Something to think about. :)

Motorola has released a thirty page developer guide aimed at helping the developers find all the Moto Q related developer tips in one place. It is not a comprehensive document but is definitely a step in the right direction. It covers topics like emulator plug-in, Bluetooth programming, application signing and certification. The bulk of the document is focused on signing and certification, I wonder if Moto Q will be application locked. :? Looks like it will be. And I wish the document mentioned if the keys can be overridden programmatically.



So if you are a mobile application developer, head over to the MotoCoder web site, download the PDF based guide and register for updates.

"The Motorola i930 is a compact GSM/GPRS handset that stands apart from the smartphone pack because of the integration of Motorola's iDEN, a technology designed to facilitate direct, push-to-talk communications between compatible handsets. Available in late November, the Motorola i930's cosmetics are attractive enough, with its metallic keypad set against a jet-black background. The handset also feels rugged enough to take a great deal of physical punishment."

The reviews are starting to show up on the Internet for the new Motorola i930 Smartphone. This one is pretty lightweight review covering off most of the things we already know about the device. Overall, they gave the phone a 3.8 out of 5. I think we'll have to wait a little longer before we can pass judgment on this device. Does anyone here have a i930?

"Canadian cellular operator Rogers Communications said Thursday it will work with Ericsson to trial next-generation HSDPA cellular data access as well as technology to converge cellular and other types of networks. HSDPA will provide typical data speeds in excess of 1 Mbps. By comparison, UMTS, which is the current 3G data technology for GSM networks, typically offers speeds of between a third and half that throughput level. Advocates of the technology say it will evolve over time to support speeds as high as 14 Mbps. In addition to trialing HSDPA, Rogers said it would trial IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), which can converge cellular networks with landline broadband and fixed wireless broadband."

Rogers plans to have this widely available in 2006, while Cingular also has availability plans for 2006, they have yet to talk about any convergence plans. Could it be that a Canadian carrier is actually working hard at improving their offerings? Could we really see something released here before it makes it out in the US? 8O

"I just took delivery of an iMate SP5 Smartphone. This device is getting pretty close to my ideal single mobile device - a smartphone with Windows Mobile 5, Bluetooth *and* WiFi. I'll be road testing over the next few days and reporting back"

They're starting to hit the streets! Steve Clayton over at the Windows Mobile for Partners TechNet blog has just received his and he had no problems connecting it to his home WiFi network. Sweeet! :D If anyone has taken delivery of their new Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone, be sure to post your thoughts about the device. I have pre-ordered a SP5m and Expansys keeps playing with the number of days until it ships. It started out at 7, then it dropped to 2-3, then up to 9, and now it is holding at 1-2. :roll: If I'm lucky, it might be in my hands by the end of the week. However, I'm not holding my breath - too much. ;)

Expansys has the i-mate SP5 availability set to Tuesday October 11th, while the SP5m will be available on Thursday October 13th. So if you haven't saved up those pennies, you better get started! :wink:

"Three years ago Agile Mobile set out to develop a truly �agile� instant messaging client to provide seamless access to the instant messaging networks, wither it be from the bus, the beach or the gym, without sacrificing any of the functionality and power of the conventional desktop clients. During the initial development period we have allowed our loyal user base to use Agile Messenger for free. We want to thank everyone for their invaluable feedback, suggestions and bug reports, which have allowed us to make Agile Messenger into what it is today. Agile Messenger is currently the most widely used and feature rich instant messaging and communication tool for mobile devices in the world."



Agile plans to start charging a maximum of �2.99 per month through your carrier, so it will just appear on your monthly bill. At this point, there is no indication if they will support the monthly subscription in North America or not. However, if you don't want the monthly charge, they do make a comment about buying the software for a one time charge of �19.99 - which sounds like a much better deal to me. I personally don't use Agile anymore, MSN Messenger does everything I need. I'm sure that isn't the case for all of you. ;)

"One day you will be able to leave your wallet at home. New ways of paying for goods using mobiles are starting to emerge. Simpay, a new payment scheme for mobile phone content, has gained the support of Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, Telefonica, Proximus and Amena."

This kind of thing sounds nice and convenient. We already buy things with our phones but up till now it has been not much more than ring tones and games for the phone. The push to use phones as credit cards is not new but seems to be gaining steam. On the heels of T-Mobile just waking up to security problems I wonder how safe this can really be made. Security with these companies always seems to be a surprise after they have sold us a bill of goods. They build in their own safety net for thieves by what they charge you but you are the one who has to spend 6 months straightening things out when your data is stolen.

The following tweak involves editing your Smartphone's registry. Improperly editing values in the registry could cause unexpected behavior or cause the Smartphone to stop working. For more information on editing the registry, see this post.This tweak is provided as is, with no guarantees as to its effectiveness, or to the safety of using this tweak.

Change the Start Menu Order.
Instructions provided by Jonny Midnight

Purpose
The programs listed in the Smartphone's Start Menu are in alphabetical order - except for the first few that are fixed by either Microsoft or the service provider. Since it might be nice to have the programs listed in an order in the order in which you'd likely use them, we provide this tweak.

Instructions

• Open up Regedit, and browse to the following:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Shell/StartMenu
• Select 'Values'
• Select 'Order'
• In the value data you can now change the order of the links in the start menu. The easier way to find the link names is to open up All Explorer, Smartexplorer, or even browse to the phone via the computer, and look at the files in '\IPSM\Windows\Start Menu'. Don't forget to add '.lnk' at the end of the program name, or it won't work.
  
  If you want any of your own custom links, just make sure you put them in the \IPSM\Windows\Start Menu folder.
  
  
• Now you must reboot your phone for the changes to take effect.

Re-published with permission from Jonny Midnight.

"AT&T Wireless and Microsoft Corp. today launched the Windows Mobile� Start Service for customers of the Motorola MPx200 phone. The new Windows Mobile Start Service is a Microsoft� Web service that powers an AT&T Wireless Web site where customers can easily and quickly configure their Motorola MPx200 to access personal and work e-mail, mobile-optimized Web sites, free ring tones, home screens, and applications such as games. Customer selections are automatically sent to the phone over the air.

�The Windows Mobile Start Service offers a fast and easy way for AT&T Wireless customers to start enjoying terrific new services and capabilities on the Windows Mobile software platform,� said Vince Mendillo, director of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft. �By combining an innovative and convenient over-the-air setup with a familiar Web-based interface, customers can be more self-sufficient and minimize the need for placing support calls.�
�This service is the latest collaboration between Microsoft and AT&T Wireless aimed at enhancing the wireless experience of today�s mobile professionals,� said Abhi Ingle, vice president of business data solutions for AT&T Wireless. �We�ve made it simple for customers to get the most out of their Motorola MPx200 with this unique personalization feature.�
Motorola MPx200 customers benefit from the combination of AT&T Wireless� high- speed GSM/GPRS data network and the Windows Mobile software platform, which combines voice calling with the ability to synchronize with PC data, such as Outlook� information, and run software and services that greatly expand the utility of the phone. The Windows Mobile Start Service brings additional value to AT&T Wireless customers by providing one convenient location where they can configure and personalize the following:

� E-mail. Customers can easily configure their Outlook e-mail or POP3/IMAP account from their Internet service provider.

� Internet favorites. Customers can enrich their mobile Web browsing experience by selecting favorites from a list of Web sites optimized for viewing on small screens, or by adding their own.

� Ring tone and home screens. Customers can personalize the look and feel of their Motorola MPx200 with a selection of free polyphonic ring tones and home screens.

� Applications. Customers can extend the functionality of their phone and have fun by downloading free software, including games.
The Windows Mobile Start Service helps AT&T Wireless deliver enhanced customer service and gives customers a fast, streamlined way to personalize their mobile experience on the Motorola MPx200. To take advantage of the new Windows Mobile Start Service, customers can visit http://www.attwireless.com/smartphone/ and click on Customize It. More information on the Motorola MPx200 with Windows Mobile software available through AT&T Wireless also can be found at http://www.attwireless.com/smartphone/."