These leaked Microsoft documents from Tweakers.net keep giving more and more goodies. In addition to great details on hardware specs, OS architecture, and the Windows Update process for Windows Phone 7 devices, the documents also outlined the types of customizations OEMs and carriers will be allowed to make.

As we pretty much knew already, carriers and OEM manufacturers will not be allowed to change the UI very much. The leaked documents show that minor changes to the interface will be allowed:

• Connection icons (3G, etc.)
• Add logo and tiles to home screen, can NOT remove default Microsoft tiles
• Can add apps BUT:
  • maximum of six apps
  • must be approved my Microsoft first
  • no bigger than 60MB total
• Change web search provider in IE only, other apps still use Bing
• Customize the boot screen
• Add wallpaper and ringtones
• Camera software can be tweaked

While we already knew the total customization available on Windows Mobile 6.x with apps like Spb Mobile Shell or HTC’s TouchFlo/Sense UIs was gone, it still hurts to see it in black and white. Microsoft is really reigning in the carriers and OEMs here in an effort to maintain a consistent(ly high) user experience.

That said, Microsoft is implementing some nice controls on bloatware, which should help address one of the primary causes for poor user experiences on Windows Mobile devices in the past.

Check out these other three posts for more details from the leaked Microsoft documents:

• Leaked Docs Show Windows Phone 7 Architecture
• Windows Phone 7 Update Procedure Detailed in Leaked Docs
• A Bit More Detail on Windows Phone 7 Hardware Requirements

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As you can clearly see, all roads lead to Microsoft! All updates – from Microsoft, manufacturers, carriers or others – will be distributed via Microsoft’s Windows Update service. It looks like the Windows Phone 7 device will check OTA to see if there are updates available, and then you download and install the the updates through your PC using Activesync/Zune software.

This is terrific news! No more waiting for your carrier to put out an updated ROM  (which they never do) or tracking down a pirated ROM on the forums because you want the latest version of your OS. Plus, it ensures a consistent experience for Microsoft, one of their primary goals with Windows Phone 7.

Good move, Microsoft.

Check out these other three posts for more details from the leaked Microsoft documents:

• Leaked Docs Show Windows Phone 7 Architecture
• Details on Windows Phone 7 Customization from Leaked Microsoft Docs
• A Bit More Detail on Windows Phone 7 Hardware Requirements

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Spb Software created an Spb Mobile Shell-powered touch screen interface for O2 Xda Zest. Designed exclusively for O2’s latest Xda handset, the ‘O2 Menu’ helps to make the device ideal for those subscribers new to the Xda phones. The O2 Menu is carefully fitted to O2’s style and brand, and is integrated with the built-in Opera Mobile, for seamless Internet browsing.

The new O2 Xda Zest is expected to encourage the conventional handset users to switch over to the more powerful Xda smartphones. The Zest’s impressive 2.8″ TFT screen with the sleek finger-friendly touch interface make for extremely easy device navigation, optimal for novice PDA users.

St. Petersburg, November 25th, 2008 – Spb Software, world’s leading Windows Mobile software developer creates an Spb Mobile Shell-powered touch screen interface for O2 Xda Zest. Designed exclusively for O2’s latest Xda handset, the ‘O2 Menu’ helps to make the device ideal for those subscribers new to the Xda phones. The O2 Menu is carefully fitted to O2’s style and brand, and is integrated with the built-in Opera Mobile, for seamless Internet browsing.
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The new O2 Xda Zest is expected to encourage the conventional handset users to switch over to the more powerful Xda smartphones. The Zest’s impressive 2.8″ TFT screen with the sleek finger-friendly touch interface make for extremely easy device navigation, optimal for novice PDA users. Erik Staaf, Head of Own Branded Devices says: “Our established O2 Xda range has proven very popular with experienced PDA users but we are now pleased to also offer early entrants to the market a Pay & Go handset without an overcomplicated user interface.”

O2 Xda Zest is available in the UK for Pay Monthly and Pay & Go customers starting November 17th, 2008

Further Information and Downloads

Spb Mobile Shell product page
Spb Mobile Shell for O2 Xda Zest webpage
O2 Xda Zest webpage

About O2

Telefonica O2 UK Limited is a leading communications company for consumers and businesses in the UK, with over 18.7 million mobile customers and over 190,000 fixed broadband customers as at 30 June 2008.

Telefonica O2 UK Limited is part of Telefonica Europe plc which is a business division of Telefonica S.A. and which owns O2 in the UK, Ireland, Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic, and has 43.8 million customers.

About Spb Software

Spb Software is the global leader in the design of Windows Mobile applications, with R&D and design centers in Russia and Thailand, and presence in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the USA. Spb combines a unique line of popular consumer products and cooperation with the world’s leading OEMs and carriers, such as Acer, ASUS, Gigabyte, HTC, O2, Palm, Pharos, Samsung, SingTel, Sky Link, Sony Ericsson, Swisscom Mobile, Toshiba, T-Mobile, and VimpelCom.

For awesome Spb software products visit our store! And for the month of November, you can get 20% off all of your purchases with the coupon code “WMCoolOpen“!

It’s time for the third edition of WindowsMobile Cool’s sister site round up featuring the best of this week at BlackBerry Cool, the voice of the BlackBerry community and QuicklyBored, the latest in mobile entertainment!

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How to download mobile games from AT&T’s carrier deck
How to save money on your phone bill with UMA
Turn your iPhone into a VISA point-of-sale machine

Did you get a BlackBerry Storm today?
VibAndRing v.1.1 for BlackBerry Reviewed!
BlackBerry Theme Central $3 Theme Sale! (’Cool Deals)
MySpace for BlackBerry hits 400,000 downloads in first week

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Bell today announced new Smartphone Combo Plans that provide Bell Mobility clients across Canada with 25% more minutes than competitor smartphone plans!

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 20 2008 — Bell today announced new Smartphone Combo Plans that provide Bell Mobility clients across Canada with 25% more minutes than competitor smartphone plans.

Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility:

Smartphones are leading the growth in Canadian wireless and Bell is eager to accelerate that popularity further still with new industry-leading rate plans for our broad range of RIM BlackBerry and Windows Mobile smartphones. With 25 per cent more calling than competing carriers’ plans, smartphones just got better with Bell.

Until December 31, new Bell Mobility clients who sign a three-year contract can choose between three Smartphone Combo Plans, starting at $45 per month. All plans include conference calling and call waiting.

Smartphone Combo 45

For $45 per month, subscribers get 250 minutes of anytime local calling, unlimited evening and weekend local calling and the choice of either: unlimited incoming calls; nationwide Fab Five for unlimited calling and texting with five favourite contacts across the country; or an extended
evening clock for unlimited local calling starting at 5pm. Clients also get 500MB of data for personal email, Instant Messenger and Internet use.

Smartphone Combo 70

For $70 per month, subscribers get 500 minutes of anytime local calling, unlimited evening and weekend local calling, the choice of either: unlimited incoming calls; nationwide Fab Five calling and texting; or an extended evening clock for unlimited local calling starting at 5 pm. Clients also get
unlimited personal email, Instant Messenger, Internet surfing and text messaging.

Smartphone Combo 100

For $100 per month, subscribers get 1,250 minutes of anytime local calling, unlimited evening and weekend local calling, unlimited personal email, Instant Messenger, Internet surfing and text messaging along with call display and message centre express voicemail.

Bell Mobility offers clients the hottest 3G smartphones – including the BlackBerry Curve, HTC Touch Diamond, HTC Touch Pro and upcoming BlackBerry Storm 9530 – all of them operating on the fastest and largest 3G network across North America.

For more information on Smartphone Combo plans from Bell Mobility, visit bell.ca/wireless.

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Alltel has jumped on the bandwagon and added the HTC Touch Pro to their smartphone line up. The popular device is going for $279.99 (on contract, of course) with a $100 rebate.

Not many differences with this version but a tweak to the TouchFLO 3D UI from the carrier.

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As promised, we now have a date for the release of the super cool HTC MAX 4G: November 26th!

Why the excitement? Check this out: 800 x 480 screen, 8GB of on-board Flash, two cameras, an FM radio, GPS, WiFi, triband EDGE and… WiMAX SUPPORT! This will officially be the first GSM/WiMAX handset anywhere in the world!

So, what’s the catch? Oh sure, it’ll be available starting with November 26th, but only in Russia’s Yota network. So when do we get it? Huh, Bell? Telus? I’m looking at you, Rogers.

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It appears that the AT&T Fuze (HTC Touch Pro) will finally see the light of day on Tuesday, November 11th. This very – very - sexy phone will be a big hit, there’s no doubt about it. And at $299.99 it’ll sell like hotcakes. Mmm hotcakes with TouchFLO 3D.

Now, check out these other leaked documents containing all you could ever want in Fuze/Touch Pro accessories as well as some more info on the sweet device itself!

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If you needed any more proof that Verizon Wireless was indeed getting the HTC Touch Pro, wait no more. Here’s your proof! The video’s just over a minute long but shows – without question – the HTC Touch Pro wearing Verizon’s “Big Red” getup and showing off its impressive goods for the camera.

Verizon’s version of the HTC Touch Pro boasts 512MB of ROM, TV-out, a 3.2-megapixel autofocus cam, microSD (with support up to 32GB), and an integrated business card scanner. It’s still not known when it’ll hit stores, but soon, my lovelies, soon. Fingers crossed!

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It’s official – Bell has launched their “Rollover” plans. The newly released plans let you carry over your unused minutes to the next billable month.

These Bell “Über” plans go from $30 to $70. Plans include Call Waiting and Conference Calling.

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