Smartphone Thoughts.com

Windows Mobile 7 On Track For 3Q 2010 Release

Nurhisham Hussein — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/...elease-to-oems/

"According to ZDNet Taiwan, the mobile OS is now on track for a release to OEMs for testing (the so-called "Maldives" program) sometime in the first quarter of 2010, and will be launched publicly sometime in the third quarter of the year (or about a year after the release of Windows Mobile 6.5) -- all of which more or less lines up with earlier rumors of a release to manufacturing in Spring 2010."

To quote Inigo Montoya, "I hate waiting". While WM7 is still on track for a late 2010 release, that seems like a lifetime away especially since the code will be more or less complete within the next 3-4 months. The competition is getting more formidable by the day, and Microsoft risks losing relevance in a fast expanding market space. Will the improvements in WM7 make up for being Johnny-be-lately? One can hope.

Mini-Microsoft on the State of Windows Mobile

Jason Dunn — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:09:00 GMT

http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2009/1...rosoftness.html

"Holy. Crap. I don't think we have any unbruised skin left on our body to take any more lumps regarding our mobile strategy. The Microsoft Mismanagement theory is in full force as we throw any willing body into the Mobile effort...Look. Let's talk about device loyalty. I first started with owning PocketPCs. An HP Jornada. I loved it. When upgrade time came, HP had bought Compaq and abandoned the Jornada for the iPAQ (what, they had the iThing first?). So, unable to upgrade to the next CE, I cursed a little and bought one of those iPAQs. But HP decided not to allow it to be upgraded. So I switched to Dell to get their latest Axim PocketPC. Dell would be a safe bet, right? And Dell gave up on the line. My latest act of company loyalty: getting a powerful HTC WinMo 6 device. It was cut-off the 6.5 train, and soon, I'm going to be buying a new phone. And I'm going to buy an iPhone."

The blog run by Mini-Microsoft has always been a fascinating read, though I confess I haven't checked it out in quite a few months - I really wish there was an RSS to Email subscription form because I'm RSS-phobic now. But I digress...Mini-Microsoft is a Microsoft employee, likely in a fairly senior position, who uses anonymity to write some very poignant things about the state of Microsoft as a company. His (her?) take on the state of mobile at Microsoft is particularly accurate - Microsoft's decision years ago to completely cede authority to the carriers has resulted in a long string of bad decisions and poor treatment of customers. The carriers may want customers to think of their expensive smartphones are being disposable, but most customers don't think that way when they've spend $200+ (or much more unlocked) for a high-end smartphone. Mini-Microsoft correctly pegs this problem as one of leadership - and while I hear things are getting better, these new leaders have a lot of damage to undo.

I read recently that one of the reasons why Microsoft hasn't done better in the mobile space is because the revenues simply don't amount to much - Microsoft never took this space seriously in the past because it wasn't making enough money off it. They entered this business because they felt they should be in the space rather than let their competitors completely control it - just look at the Zune for another example of this - but ultimately, they didn't really care about it. Given what we've heard from Steve Ballmer over the past 12 months about Windows Mobile, I think that the leadership finally does care about the mobile space. The question is, what are they going to do about it?

Bsquare Takes Over Licensing Of Windows Mobile

Ed Hansberry — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20...censing-rights/

"Just when I thought Windows phones had already one too many layers between the end-user and Microsoft, they've just decided to add in one more for good measure. Announced today, Microsoft has signed on a third-party, Bsquare, to be the first and currently exclusive distributor for Windows Mobile licenses worldwide."

This seems to be a total outsourcing move. According to the blog post, not only will Bsquare take over licensing of the OS to mobile phone manufacturers, but they will "also provide reference designs, communication stacks, technical support, training, testing and the like to OEMs."

Licensing doesn't bother me. That is the business end of Windows Mobile and has little to do with the platform itself. I do worry though that by turning over testing, tech support, reference designs, testing and more that Microsoft is further insulated from the device maker, retailer and end user. I am not sure how this will lead to improving the platform overall. Windows Mobile is woefully behind the competition in the marketplace today. Does anyone think this will help close the gap? I'd love to hear the reasoning behind such a view because the logic of it totally escapes me.

Firefox Mobile Gets A Logo

Nurhisham Hussein — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT

http://blog.mozilla.com/blog/2009/1...sign-challenge/

"The results from the Mozilla Creative Collective's "Firefox Goes Mobile" design challenge are in, and I'm happy to announce that the winner is "Pocketfox", by Yaroslaff Chekunov. As the official emblem of the upcoming mobile version of Firefox, we'll be using this image as an avatar on social networking sites, on mozilla.com, on t-shirts and more. It makes a great addition to our portfolio of Firefox imagery!"

Somehow, hiding in a pocket isn't quite what I expected - but I'm not sure any of the runners-up were any better in capturing what Firefox could potentially bring to mobile browsing. At least, this has the advantage of simplicity. Agree, disagree? Sound off in the comments.

Save 50% On SBSH FaÃ§ade

Jason Dunn — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

http://software.smartphonethoughts....-Screen-Plugin!

"Facade is a highly customizable tab-based Home screen plug-in for Smartphone devices. With Facade, you can view your upcoming appointments and tasks directly on your Smartphone Home screen, keeping you up to date on all your important appointments and tasks. Additionally, Facade puts a launcher tool right onto that same Home screen, allowing you to launch your favorite applications directly from your Home screen with just a single click and monitoring your Smartphone battery and memory status using special meters. Facade comes with three different professional layout designs."

Façade is a highly regarded program for Windows Mobile Standard phones, and today only, you can get it for 50% off the normal price of $14.95...it's yours for only $7.48. And of course your purchases from our affiliate store help support this site...thanks!

Samsung Jack 6.5 Upgrade

Pete Paxton — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 GMT

http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa...58&AT_ID=177858

"Samsung has released a software upgrade for the SGH-i637 (Jack) which is recommended to be installed. This update includes an upgrade to Windows Phone (Mobile) 6.5 and numerous software enhancements. The update may take between 5-10 minutes to complete if the system is already set up."

Yay! There's a Samsung Jack 6.5 upgrade out for your handsome and stylish Windows Mobile phone. It's always good when companies don't allow devices to become obsolete due to an upgrade. The site not only has the 6.5 download but it gives detailed image based instructions describing the upgrade process. So what are you waiting for? Head over and bring your Jack up to speed. Oh, and let us know how it goes and how you like it.

Daylight Savings Time Patch

Ed Hansberry — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmob...ngs-update.mspx

It seems it is time to update your WinMo device again for daylight savings time. In the US, the time change is this weekend and Europe made the switch last weekend. To make sure your device has all of the right time zone changes for around the world, you'll want to apply this patch. Yes, even those of you with shiny new WinMo 6.5 devices need to apply it. The patch applies to WinMo 5.0 and higher devices.

And no, don't bother checking Windows Update on the device. That would make too much sense.

If you are reading this on your device, this link should download the necessary CAB file.

Engadget Reviews Jabra STONE Bluetooth Headset

Jon Westfall — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:30:00 GMT

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/23/...headset-review/

"Finally, the teaser's over. The latest delivery to Engadget's UK penthouse is the Jabra STONE Bluetooth headset due out in the US on 8th November, and we took no time to extract the pebble from the transparent cylinder. In front of us are the two parts of the STONE: an earpiece of a breakthrough form factor that instantly makes you pity its rivals, and behind it is the accompanying portable charging base which serves as an external battery."

The STONE certainly looks impressive from an aesthetic standpoint, however I'd be more inclined to care about how it works functionally. Engadget has a full gallery of photos and their thoughts, for those of you looking to grab a new headset in the near future!

HTC Announces the YOU Advertising Campaign

Darius Wey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:10:00 GMT

http://www.htc.com/www/press.aspx?i...14924&lang=1033

"HTC Corporation, a global smartphone designer, today unveiled a global advertising campaign that is based on HTC's new Quietly Brilliant brand positioning. As HTC's first global advertising campaign, the YOU campaign is being rolled out across 20 countries in the coming weeks and features the tagline, 'You don't need to get a phone. You need a phone that gets you.' This represents HTC's commitment to focus on people, their needs and how they work and live to ensure that HTC devices suit them."

With a plethora of new and upcoming devices up its sleeve, HTC has gone mainstream in the marketing department. It's just unveiled its YOU ad campaign that's set to be rolled out in twenty countries. The primary take-home point is that HTC's devices are all about the people (you). Yeah, it all sounds like marketing fluff. Admittedly, I wasn't entirely sold on the idea at first (and at this stage, you probably aren't either), but after watching the TV ads, I'm actually digging the way this campaign is headed. Check them out after the break, then drop your thoughts in this thread.

HTC & Telstra Release Windows Mobile 6.5 for the Snap

Darius Wey — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:40:00 GMT

http://www.htc.com/au/SupportViewNe...719&news_id=302

Have a Telstra-badged HTC Snap and want in on some of that Windows Mobile 6.5 action? Then head over to HTC's Australian portal and grab your free upgrade. Enjoy!

Microsoft, the Mobile Market, and Will WM7 be Too Late?

Nurhisham Hussein — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:00:00 GMT

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,281...,2354561,00.asp

"Microsoft must embrace the mobile space if it wants to get its act together. The company has a bunch of semi-independent units that don't seem to talk to each other very much: Windows, Windows Mobile, Xbox, Zune, and whatever has grown out of their acquisition of the Danger/Sidekick team. As Apple has shown, you create compelling experiences by acting as one company, not as five. Unfortunately, it looks like Microsoft still isn't talking to Microsoft."

Sascha Segan at PCMag delivers a stinging critique of what's wrong with Microsoft's mobile strategy. It's not that we haven't heard all of this before, but the lost data disaster at Sidekick, rumours of trouble at Project Pink, and the relative modesty of the updates brought in by WM6.5, kinds of brings it home. A year's a long time in the mobile space, and with WM7 slated to be released only in late 2010 (RTM is supposedly in about six months time), MS is going to lose even more ground in the mobile sweepstakes. Android has really come on strong in the past six months with a bevy of sexy devices hitting the shelves and the backing of some major names, and no bets that Steve Jobs has something more up his sleeve for the coming year. Will WM7 be enough to turn the tide? Sound off in the comments.

Is this Windows Mobile 6.5.1?

Jason Dunn — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:04:00 GMT

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20...ould-have-been/

"Most of you probably know by now that Windows Mobile 6.5 is not the be all end all Microsoft mobile operating system. However, what you might not know is that Microsoft has already up its sleeves another revision of Windows Mobile 6 - unofficially dubbed by the enthusiast community as 6.5.1 - that's faster, sleeker, more touch-friendly and in my opinion, a much better upgrade than 6.5."

Windows Mobile 6.5.1 screenshots courtesy Patrick/OSNN.net

It seems that when it rains leaks, it pours leaks - and above we have what is rumoured to be Windows Mobile 6.5.1 - or, really, it's 6.5.next. No one knows the version number, but it's clearly an evolutionary step from Windows Mobile 6.5. And now that I finally have my hands on a Windows Mobile 6.5 device - thanks to AT&T and HTC - I can see first-hand how badly this is needed. When I powered up the device the first thing I did was change the time zone - and was dismayed to see the same tiny user interface I've seen for over a decade. Over a decade you might be saying? I kid you not, the size of the drop-down menu and other UI elements are the same as they were on the Phillips Velo 1 twelve years ago in 1997. That's beyond ridiculous, but Microsoft seems to have been caught unaware by this whole "finger" thing and now they're playing catch-up in a big way.

Windows Mobile Home Screen Refreshed

Pete Paxton — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

http://www.jgui.net/homescr/index.html

"Home Screen refreshed is a replacement of Windows Mobile, or Windows Phones default Home Screen.It gives you 3 screens: clock, calendar, and weather forecast.With very easy navigation: press left or right arrow button"

If you're looking to pretty up your home screen on your favorite Windows Mobile smartphone, navigate your way over to Jgui.net. You can have a big clock, calendar, or the weather displayed as your home screen with further functions with each display. The site gives installation instructions as well as user directions. It's fully functional for three days to give you a preview after which you can choose to purchase it or not. It can be downloaded as a .exe or .cab file.

Leaked Windows Mobile 7 Screen Shots? Maybe...

Jason Dunn — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:37:00 GMT

http://pocketnow.com/tech-news/wind...ts-and-analysis

"We've seen the 6.5.1 leaks from WMExperts today that combined TouchFLO 3D and 6.5.1 together into a tidy package along with the leaks of the Windows Mobile 7 mockups earlier. Now, our very own tipster has delivered some exciting additional screenshots to pocketnow.com, giving us a peak of the Call screen, Calendar, Contact, Email, Text Messaging, and Settings!"

pocketnow.com has gotten their hot little hands on some screen shots that show a very different sort of Windows Mobile. So is this Windows Mobile 7? Hard to say - all I do know is that I'm liking what I'm seeing.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile Apps That Didn't Make the Cut

Jason Dunn — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:45:00 GMT

At least they have a sense of humour...now if only they could fix the security problems, the fact that they're using SIM-based filtering of applications, and no version yet for the million and millions of Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 phones.

SBSH Mobile Releases Facade 2

Jason Dunn — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:30:00 GMT

http://www.sbsh.net/press/128/Facade_2

"SBSH Mobile Software is excited to announce today the Facade for Windows Mobile Standard major update to version 2! SBSH Facade 2 for Smartphone is the ultimate front-end solution for WM Smartphones! Combining vital phone features and agenda, all in one professionally designed display, visible and accessible each time you power on your phone! SBSH Facade 2 is powerful and optimized for mobile use like never before! Including new Home Panel with date and clock, alarms, profiles, pending counters, weather, appointments and tasks!; Custom home screen plugin integration, with multiple plugins in a single Facade panel; Integration with all major PIMs; Category colors and icons; Easy skin packaging and installation and much more!

SBSH has released Facade 2, and I applaud them for releasing software for Windows Mobile Standard devices when so many developers are only focused on Windows Mobile Professional. Thank you SBSH, we need more developers like you! Façade 2 brings quite a bit to the table, including a home tab, multiple background images, appointments and tasks, customs plugins, skin packages, thumbnails, the ability to change the softkey colour, PIM integration, a monthly calendar, a program launcher, and more. You can purchase Facade 2 from our affiliate store for $14.95, or upgrade for $7.95.

A Windows 6.5 Family Portrait

Jason Dunn — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/...amily-portrait/

"Can you name them all? Don't worry, it's a lot to keep track of. Clockwise we have the HTC Tilt 2 (AT&T), Toshiba TG01 (not announced for US), HTC Imagio (Verizon), HTC Pure (AT&T), Samsung Intrepid (Sprint) and LG GM750 (not announced for US)."

Engadget has put together a quick video showing us the new Windows Mobile 6.5 phones coming from US carriers. Lots of pics in their gallery.

Samsung Code With Windows Mobile 6.1

Pete Paxton — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

http://www.slashgear.com/metropcs-s...it-6-1-1960900/

"MetroPCS Communications, Inc., the nation's leading provider of unlimited, flat-rate, no signed contract wireless communications service, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile)1, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States2, today launched the Samsung CodeTM (SCH-i220). With MetroPCS' Samsung Code, consumers who are on-the-go will experience the best of productivity and organization, via the Windows Mobile® 6.1 operating system. The Samsung Code is equipped with the entire Microsoft® suite of tools including contacts, calendar, tasks, notes, voice recorder and Windows LiveTM. The optional WizProTM interface allows users to easily customize their home screen and create shortcuts to the most frequently used features on the phone, including missed messages, calendar appointments and more."

Well, at least it's a Windows Mobile device that MetroPCS is carrying. Even if it isn't great looking (in my opinion) and even if it is supplied with yester-year's operating system, at least it's out there. Makes you wonder though eh? If 6.5 is out, why not just go with that? I couldn't own this device knowing there's a later version of an OS, but in reality, many customers purchasing smartphones don't even know what to tell me when I ask which operating system their device has or what version it is. When there's an OS upgrade, do you go for it right away or does it really matter to you? Anyway MetroPCS, I think it's a very small step in the right direction.

The New Windows Phone Marketing: Does it Work?

Jason Dunn — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Microsoft is starting to promote Windows Mobile phones under their new moniker: "Windows Phone". Here are two commercials that are presumably airing on TV - has anyone seen them yet? Better yet, what do you think of the commercials? Do they hit the mark? Personally, I think they're pretty good - they make the connection that the things people care about the most on their computers can also be found on their Windows Phone. I think Microsoft is going to have an easier time branding the term "Windows Phone" over "Windows Mobile". Now if only Microsoft's Facebook client wasn't so awful...

Windows Mobile Standard 6.5 Walk-through

Jason Dunn — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:12:00 GMT

http://pocketnow.com/software-1/htc...mobile-65-video

Curious about what Windows Mobile 6.5 brings to your Windows Mobile Standard device? The answer is, unfortunately, less than you might think. pocketnow has a walk-through of what 6.5 adds to the HTC Snap.