OpenGL ES Video Test from MSMobiles

by dave on October 15th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

windows_mobile_opengl_es_testThe guys over at MSMobiles have just released an OpenGL ES test for Windows Mobile devices. OpenGL ES is the device version of OpenGL, the well-know and supported graphics standard. While OpenGL ES isn’t supported on Windows Mobile devices, it is on both Android and the iPhone; this little app makes cross-platform testing possible and gives Windows Mobile users a good idea of their mobile video horsepower.

View the post on MSMobiles here, or download the OpenGL ES Test directly to your Windows Mobile device.

Ballmer Says Zune HD Software Coming to Windows Mobile

by dave on October 15th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

microsoft_zune_music_streamIn a recent interview with CNet, Steve Ballmer seems to confirm that we’ll see Zune HD software coming to Windows Phones:

What is Zune HD? Zune HD is a couple things. Number one, Zune HD is a music player with a nice music service. By the way, the same software will be available on Windows Phones and Windows PCs. You have that today on the PC, you’ll see that in our phone environment as well.

This is huge clue to the future of Microsoft’s service offerings. It has been rumored for a while, or perhaps heavily suggested by pundits and critics alike (including this one), that Microsoft should be pushing for mega-integration among their various platforms, and I think we’re starting to see that happen.

Marketplace and Zune service start to merge as there is less distinction between the Zune and Windows Phone architecture (see the Pink chassis). Zune services coming to X-Box, Zune service on Windows Mobile… all part of a long-term strategy to pull their constituents together…

MultiActiveSync – Sync Multiple Devices with ActiveSync

by dave on October 6th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/6OwzzjnjAYE" width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen="true" fvars="fs=1" /]

With the flurry of new devices hitting the market thanks to the official launch today of Windows Mobile 6.5, I thought it fitting to throw up a post about this cool app that allows you to sync multiple devices with ActiveSync… simultaneously! Here are the features: 

  • Easily switch between connected devices (USB)
  • Sync all connected devices (“CycleSync”)
  • Automatically switch to the last connected ‘new’ device (optional)
  • Basic compatibility for Bluetooth (optional, disabled by default)
  • Adjust security policies on the currently selected device (EnableRAPI / AppUnlock style)

It works on Windows XP SP2 or above (apparently not XP 64-bit). You can download the MultiActiveSync app from XDA here.


Browser Battle: Opera Mini vs. Skyfire

by dave on October 6th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

I just watched a nice side-by-side comparison of Opera Mini vs. Skyfire browsers for Windows Mobile. Great little vid, but ultimately Skyfire must trump Opera Mini thanks to its extensive media support – yes?

Panoramic Software Releases moTweets 1.2

by dave on October 6th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

motweets_01Panroamic Software has just upgraded their moTweets twitter client for Windows Mobile to version 1.2. The upgrade contains a whole host of new features, including:

  • Search and Trends
  • Show Conversations
  • Color coding tweets for replys and user tweets
  • Download Twitpic images from within moTweets
  • Additional language support for German, Dutch, and Japanese
  • Scroll arrow to easily jump to the top or bottom of the list
  • Many minor bug fixes and improvements

You can download an ad-supported version for free or pick up the full client for just $3.99 (finally: an appropriately-priced Windows Mobile app!). Head over to Panoramic Software to check out the latest version of moTweets.

Another Microsoft Tablet PC Prototype: Codex

by dave on October 2nd, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

microsoft_codex_tablet_pc_screenshot1
Hot on the heels of the Microsoft Courier tablet pc video comes this second round of Microsoft tablet pc pics, this time on one called Codex. Perhaps destined to be Courier v.1, the Codex looks like it is designed to work like a traditional filofax or organizer, but with Windows 7 powering everything between the leather covers.

The Microsoft Codex features two 4.6″ touchscreens that can be positioned in any number of ways. Like the Microsoft Courier, it relies heavily on InkSeine, which is looking like a the byproduct of Microsoft OneNote and Journal and a lot of steroids.

more…

Why Business Should Use Windows Mobile

by dave on September 30th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

msdn_logo

I read a great post over at the MSDN blog from Reed, a developer on Windows Mobile. He makes his case for why business and enterprise should choose Windows Mobile over the other competing mobile platforms, namely iPhone, Android, and – I suppose – Palm.

He argues that the Microsoft platform is the best for a number of reasons. Taking the view that mobilizing your workforce is “not just about employees getting email… you have to think about Line of Business (LOB) applications, access to workplace documents, systems integration, use of existing knowledge, security, device management, etc.”, he goes on to make several excellent points.

In summary:

1.     Windows Mobile offers the widest range of device hardware to meet any type of user preference… or location.

2.     A secure platform above all others
3.     Device Management – Talk to any IT shop and they will tell you that if they can’t secure it, they will not manage it.
4.     Business Integration – Windows Mobile integrates with the systems you already have.

5.     Flexible Application Architecture

6.     The best develop tools on the planet

7.     Flexible Deployment

8.     Use what you already know – You can develop Windows Mobile applications using either native (C++) or managed code (.NET/C#/VB.NET).

9.     Bells and Whistles? Pick from any of thousands of 3rd party products and application to support your efforts.

10.   Never Underestimate Synergy

While a few are vague and open to argument from iPhone or Android developers, he makes some solid points – notably the variety of handsets available for Windows Mobile (extending on Steve Ballmer’s recent interview in which he stated he’d rather have the software on hundreds of handsets than the vertical markets of the iPhone and other similar competitors), and the security, felixbility and expandability of Windows Mobile.

Free Windows Mobile GPS Spedometer

by dave on September 30th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

GPSSPeedoI just saw this neat, free GPS-based spedometer for Windows Mobile devices over at XDA. The developer has tested this on an HTC Touch HD and says it works well in portrait or landscape, and it features day and night modes.

I’m giving it a try this weekend, I’m going to see how fast I can kayak down the Rideau Canal! If you’d like to give it a while, it is available for download for free from XDA. You’ll need to get the .Net framework too, if you don’t already have it installed.

AT&T WinMo Plans Leaked: HP Obsidian and LG Monaco

by dave on September 30th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

att-winmo-fall-roadmap

Boy Genius has posted a sneak-peek at AT&T’s fall lineup for Windows Mobile devices. It show already-announced Samsung Epix and HTC Fortress, both due to drop October 6th with Windows Mobile 6.5, as well as two previously unannounced devices coming in the fall.

The two new AT&T Windows  Mobile devices are:

LG Monaco:

  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA (850/1900/2100MHz)
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • Wi-Fi b,g
  • Slide-out full QWERTY keyboard
  • GPS
  • 5 megapixel autofocus camera

and the HP Obsidian Epix:

  • SM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA (850/1900/2100MHz)
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • Wi-Fi b,g
  • QWERTY keyboard
  • microSD slot
  • GPS
  • 3.5mm headset jack
  • Windows Mobile 6.5

Windows Mobile or iPhone: Best for Developers?

by dave on September 29th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

windows_mobile_iphoneEdward J.R. over at MSMobiles.com has just put up a really great editorial on why Windows Mobile is a better OS for developers. Perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I really agreed with a lot of what he had to say.

For starters, Windows Mobile users can legally install apps that weren’t downloaded from the official Microsoft Marketplace, unlike on the iPhone where you’re breaking the law by jailbreaking your phone.

He goes on to lament the iPhone’s lack of multitasking, locked application space that prevents access to other apps (for sharing info and data), too few ‘hooks’ within the OS that developers can use to trigger events within their own apps, and more.

It’s a really good list and I encourage you to go check it out here.

Submitting Your App To Marketplace

by dave on September 29th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

Here’s a neat video that appeared on YouTube showing the process for putting your Windows Mobile application up on Microsoft Marketplace. For those developers out there, can’t hurt to check it out…

Windows Mobile More Open Than Google Andoid?

by dave on September 28th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

google_android_openAnother interesting posit I found at MSMobiles is an opinion about the openness of Windows Mobile vs. Google Android.

He quotes a fellow from Coolsmartphone.com:

This is pretty big. Just to put this into perspective, xda-developers.com have, if we’re brutally honest, been pretty much ignored by Microsoft for many years. Windows Mobile ROM’s are all over the place with 6.5 builds appearing weekly for every WinMo phone on the planet. What’s happened to those people working on tweaking every bit of the OS and TouchFLO, then redistributing the (paid-for) OS, complete with Office Apps and all manner of Microsoft copyrighted material ? Nothing really. Now, with the tweaked builds appearing for Android and the whole “modding” scene just starting, Google have effectively put the brakes on.

Interesting…

Review: Token2Shell Mobile SSH Client

by dave on September 28th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

Token2Shell_screenshot3I just read a nice review over at WMExperts on this great new SSH client for Windows Mobile called Token2Shell by Choung Networks. I’ve always found the SSH clients on WinMo to be a bit lacking, considering how well suited the platform is to IT-related tasks.

Token2Shell seems to have rounded off all the rough corners on the SSH front, with an impressive feature list:

  • Address book with comprehensive configurable options
  • Integrated SSH2 remote copy and ZModem/XModem file transfer
  • Includes standalone application for SSH tunneling
  • Login automation with SSH ‘Agent Forwarding’ support
  • ‘Command Macro’ for automated command executions
  • Built-in bitmap fonts
  • Virtual screen with drag-and-scroll support
  • Supports full screen display mode
  • Includes PING and TRACE-ROUTE tools

Supporting SSL tunnels and the automated command scripts (macros, essentially) are a real bonus, but at $49.95 this is not a cheap app. For IT pros who require secure, robust and mobile SSH, this may be worth a try – you can grab it from Mobihand, where you’ll also find a free trial.

Token2Shell_screenshot1Token2Shell_screenshot2

Restrictions on Marketplace for Mobile

by dave on September 22nd, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

windows_marketplace_for_mobileMicrosoft has posted a list of no-no’s for the Mobile Marketplace; 12 items that will get a developer’s app rejected or pulled from their app store.

Among the more interesting things, some of which we knew before:

  • no competing app stores (i.e. Mobihand can’t distribute a WinMo app client through the Marketplace)
  • no VOIP over carriers’ networks, although no mention of WiFi
  • nothing that changes the default dialer, SMS, or MMS interface (interesting…)
  • no changing the default browser, search client, or media player “on the device” (does this mean beloved apps like CorePlayer or PocketMusic? New browsers like Skyfire and Opera? I can’t imagine…)

This list really begs more questions than it answers and will surely be followed up by a more comprehensive distributor’s agreement of some kind. See the full list of faux-pas after the jump.

more…

PocketInformant 9 About to Launch

by dave on September 18th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

pocket_informant_9_screenshot0Here’s a screenshot from the soon-t0-be-released Pocket Informant 9.0. Pocket Informant is a venerable time- and contact-management app for Windows Mobile that has been around forever. Giving you souped-up calendar and contact capabilities, along with other goodies thrown in to help you manage your time more effectively.

A recent blog post over at WebIS, Pocket Informant developers, says they’re be launching version 9 next week – a launch I’m sure many Windows Mobile users are eagerly anticipating. Major features for the new version include:

  • 6.5 support
  • 6.5 Gesture support throughout the app
  • Finger usability in a lot of places
  • GTD support within Tasks
  • Full PNG support for icons which means PI works and looks a lot better with those kinds

The major update looks like it is in the UI, with much more finger-friendly spots than version 8. This is a real trend in Windows Mobile apps: moving away from the standard Windows Mobile GUI and adding iPhone-esque buttons. Making apps for mobile is more than just miniaturizing the program, some serious thought has to go into whether the app is actually usable.

Looking forward to seeing this new version soon! I’ll be sure to do a bigger write-up when it launches, but in the meantime head over to WebIS site and check out the full blog post.

Palm Announces Q1 Loss, Dumping Windows Mobile

by dave on September 18th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

palm_treo_proPalm released its Q1 results yesterday and, surprise, surprise, they did alright. Palm managed to ship 832,000 units in Q1, for $68millionn in revenue.

While we’re happy for Palm that the Pre is extending their existence, a more interesting piece of news was that Palm is planning on dropping Windows Mobile entirely in favor of their WebOS. You can see the full Q1 Palm results here.

App Companies Prefer iPhone, But Won't Commit

by dave on September 15th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

developers_platform-specific-mobile-osA recent study of VC-backed software companies developing for mobile platforms found that, while almost 50% of them prefer developing for the iPhone (over the other 5 major mobile OSes), only a minority are committing fully to the platform.

The study showed that only 33% of these companies are developing for a single platform, with the majority (67%) opting instead to develop their apps to run on multiple platforms. Of that majority, a whopping 76% develop for all 6 mobile OSes.

developers_vc-mobile-operating-system

Read the full study findings at ChubbyBrain.com.

Waze GPS App Coming to Windows Mobile

by dave on September 15th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

waze

Waze is a social mobile application providing free turn-by-turn navigation based on the live conditions of the road. What does that mean? It means it collects passive information from all its users as they drive, in addition to using active feedback from drivers who choose to submit updates, photos, road changes, and so on, to provide its users with real-time traffic and road information.

This is a really great concept and a terrific use of the built-in GPS in most smartphones these days. Waze has been available for the iPhone and Android for a bit, but their site indicates the development of a Windows Mobile version. Watch the Waze guided tour to get a better understanding of how it works.

I imagine it requires a critical mass of users in any given area to be effective, but I haven’t tried it yet. In fact, their alpha program is looking for candidates to help get this project rolling, so why not head over to the Waze website and sign up?

Microsoft Reader Gets an Update

by dave on September 14th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News

microsoft_readerFor the 11 people who use it, Microsoft has updated their book reader, cleverly named Microsoft Reader. This app/platform really fizzled, especially once Amazon dropped their Kindle. This could be part of a new push (rumor has it the Zune HD launching tomorrow may include Reader) and we may see new book titles start to appear on the Microsoft Reader site… we’ll see, I suppose.

Beta of Resco Photo Viewer 7 is Awesome!

by dave on September 14th, 2009 / No Comment

Category: News, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

resco_photo_viewer_7_beta_screenshot_1Resco’s Photo Viewer v.6 is a must-have on all of my Windows Mobile devices, right back to my PPC 6700, so it was with an ear-to-ear grin that I saw Resco had released a beta version of their soon-to-be-released version 7. I had spotted a few spy shots of the alpha version and it looked good, but I am just tickled pink with the beta copy I just installed on my Xperia X1.

A beautiful, easy-to-use new UI makes the app totally finger-friendly, which was the only drawback to version 6 and earlier. Add simple integration with Facebook, Twitter and other online networks and it looks like the perfect image viewer for Windows Mobile. It surely beats anything else for WinMo, and is arguably the best image viewer I’ve seen on any platform!

Download the beta version of Resco Photo Viewer 7 straight from Resco and be sure to leave your thoughts below!

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