TheWindowsPhone

AT&T has launched the beta version of a new social network-meets-search engine called Buzz. The main idea of Buzz is to give and get recommendations for local businesses, services and restaurants from your own friends. Buzz encourages you to register with Facebook, and then whenever you post a question in Buzz it re-posts it to  your FB page and tries to get input from your actual friends, as opposed to strangers at other referral sites.

They have a nice little video explaining how it works at Buzz.com, so take a look. The Buzz.com site can be accessed through the desktop or a Windows Phone by going to m.buzz.com. Word is that AT&T is developing a standalone Buzz app a-la Bing Mobile or Facebook Mobile for other OS’s.

[via]

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

[via]

Have you got the Google Mobile App for Windows Mobile? It allows you to search your WinMo device very quickly for what you’re looking for as well as giving you fast access to Google applications. It can be used right from the Today screen or through a shortcut from any application.

Stop waiting for your browser to load to search Google!

Grab the Google Mobile App for Windows Mobile right here.

[via]

Now here’s a use for Windows Live Search that we can all appreciate – helping you find the lowest priced gasoline in your area. Sweet!

The above video, courtesy of windowsmobilevideos (YouTube), demonstrates how you can save money with Windows Live Search. Thanks, guys! Keep up the great videos.

[via]

Cool! Now it’s even easier to find the places you need to go with Google Maps for mobile’s newest server-side change.

Want to go somewhere but don’t have the address? Dying for a hot cup of coffee from Starbucks? With this new update, you can simply type the names of restaurants, stores, and other points of interest into the search. No need to know the address, Google Maps for mobile will find it for you!

Really, very cool.

If you don’t already have Google Maps for mobile, visit google.com/gmm on your phone to download it today.

Google Maps 2.3 has arrived!

This release offers more than just bug fixes too! It’s got walking directions, POI reviews, street view, and transit alerts too!

More on Google Maps version 2.3 for your WinMo phone right here!

Microsoft has begun previewing their newest version of Internet Explorer Mobile (version 6) as a free emulator online. And while it’s no Skyfire, Iris, or Opera… it’s not terrible. It is, at the very least, a huge improvement over Internet Explorer Mobile 5.

I have high hopes for this one, which I was sure I’d never say about Internet Explorer in any incarnation. But here it is, you heard it here first.

IE Mobile 6 features multiple zoom capabilities, better and deeper search integration, enhanced script and AJAX support, support for full fidelity desktop rendering, text wrap, Adobe Flash Lite 3.1 for Adobe Flash content, enhanced cursor navigation, touch and gesture support (pan support), and switch between mobile and desktop modes.

[via]