Archive for the ‘General’ Category
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19
Mar
2010
WP7: No Multitasking, No Cut and Paste
Will this be the start of our love hate relationship with Windows Phone 7 series?
After all, the past few weeks have been nothing but plenty of great news. But now, it seems like Microsoft is showing us a little of the problems that might be bothering the new OS and it looks like we will be in for a long hard fight convincing MS that certain features should really be put in.
Anyway, this week saw the release of the SDK for the OS and several new features that are bound to make the platform much more interesting to use (Silverlight, Notification and Location Services). At the same time, we also learned that the system will be lacking a few key factors.
First off, multi tasking is not longer present. While the OS can handle the music player over anything else, users will not be able to swap between active apps anymore. The hardware on a WP7 will certainly be more than enough to handle multi tasking –a problem quite similar with the Apple devices. The iPhone and the iPad both lack multi tasking as well.
Speaking of iPhone problems, Windows Phone 7 will also come without cut and paste capabilities. For such a simple function, it is pretty surprising that Microsoft has not enabled it; even worse, the system will be having the Pocket Office apps –unless these apps will have their own cut and paste technology. In any case, expect to see a lot of disappointed folks when they see this feature missing. Lastly, the WP7 will not support SD cards for extra storage space. Oddly enough, these traits are quite similar to the Apple iPhone OS –closed system and all.
Read more about the cut and paste issue with Windows Phone 7 at Mobile Choice UK.
18
Mar
2010
Dev Tools for WP7 Launched
Apps are always going to be an integral component for smart phones. No matter how good or efficient an operating system may be, it is the apps that provide versatility and adaptability to an OS.
Naturally, firmware updates and additional features also go a long way in bringing much needed functions to smart phones, but for more specific tasks, downloadable apps are what people will rely on.
This is why no matter how good or well designed the upcoming Windows Phone 7 mobile platform is, unless it gets good app support, other operating systems such as the Google Android or the iPhone OS would still be better. This is why Microsoft has recently unveiled their upcoming updates for the Windows Marketplace. This online app store was originally meant to be used by WinMo 6 devices, but when WP7 launches, it will have access to customized category of the Marketplace.
It has already been announced earlier that WP7 will not be able to run apps that are meant for the older Windows mobile platform, this means that 7 series will require a new set of apps made specifically just for the OS.
Just this week, Microsoft has launched developer tools for the OS. According to reports, the tools will enable programmers to access most of WP7’s hardware components. Thanks to the pre-established chassis type requirements, all devices using the OS are sure to have specific hardware features.
Part of the developer tools unveiled is the new XNA Game Studio which will enable plenty of impressive features including the ability to run games in full 3D. So far, no title has actually been announced that will make use of the new technology, but expect game developers to start working on this soon.
Get to know more about the new developer tools for Windows Phone 7 at Tech Radar.
17
Mar
2010
Windows Phone 7 Series to Bring Plenty of Changes
The presentation of Windows Phone 7 at the Mobile World Congress at Barcelona, Spain showed off plenty of impressive new features, an innovative user interface and Microsoft’s determination to take a hold of the mobile phone industry.
For many years, the Windows Mobile operating system was trailing far behind other operating systems such as the Apple iPhone OS and the Google Android. Even among business class users, WinMo was still a far second to the Palm OS. Because the old mobile platform was reliant on using the stylus input, WinMo was used more on phones that used resistive touch screen displays.
This made the OS feel very backwards when compared to newer platforms that were compatible with capacitive touch screen user interfaces. The bottom line was that WinMo is outdated and outside of the enterprise clients, no one wanted to use it. With the new WinMo 6.5.3 Maldives update, the OS now supports capacitive displays, but the change may be a little too late sine WinMo already has a bad reputation.
WP7 brings a whole new approach to mobile platforms, Microsoft’s motto of “the phone is not a PC” is turning into reality with the new OS as it makes the most of the capacitive touch screen user interface and real time live updates. This new OS takes away everything that was originally wrong with the old operating system and brings all new features that are bringing the new platform up to par with the Android and iPhone OS.
New to WP7 is the inclusion of Bing, Zune and XBL Games. Microsoft is also adding in a new MSN player with Silverlight for media and for games, the XNA Games Studio demonstrates full 3D capabilities.
Get to know more about the new features and capabilities of the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 series mobile platform at Mobile Choice UK.
15
Mar
2010
MSN Player Added to WP7 Features
With months of waiting still ahead for the release of Windows Phone 7 series, it looks like Microsoft is making every week worth the wait with new announcements about device capabilities, more features and better support.
This week alone saw two major add-ons for the platform. First off, it has been now been confirmed that Windows Phone 7 will have support for Adobe Flash. The actual update has not been implemented in the system in progress -and from what it looks like the initial build of WP7 will remain without Flash support.
The update is expected to come out shortly after the launch of the very first WP7 handset. This comes as great news to anyone who loves to browse online with their smart phones as the lack of Flash renders many web pages with missing functions and content. With Steve jobs at the helm of Apple, support for Adobe’s Flash is impossible to launch for the upcoming iPad.
The demonstration of the new XNA games studio featured 3D graphics running on the ASUS handset with WP7. While the initial screens have yet to show full-3D the fact that the technology is actually possible brings a lot of potential to the system –something game developers would surely enjoy.
New to WP7 is the addition of the MSN Player. Just a few weeks back, it has been announced that a new BBC player has been released for the iPhone. Microsoft will be matching this new update with their MSN video library that sports over a thousand hours of video content. It has been reported that MSN currently holds the largest market of users that stay for long periods –up to 25 minutes; making the player quite lucrative for many advertisers.
Get the full info on the MSN Player straight from the source at MSN Mobile UK.
10
Mar
2010
The Phone that Keeps Going… and Going… and Going…
Looks like India is ahead in terms of eco-friendly power solutions. Olive Telecommunications’ FrvrOn V-G2300 is a 2G device running on the ULC2 7800 platform with a 1.5-inch CSTN color display. It features an FM radio, a memory capable of storing 200 contacts in the phonebook, a bunch preloaded games, a standard calculator, an alarm, a calendar, polyphonic ringtones and a speaker phone function. Sounds like a mobile phone from yesteryear right? You might just be surprised.
The phone has a very valuable feature: it is dual-powered. Meaning, not only will it come with a rechargeable 600 mAh Li-on battery, it can also run on a single AAA Alkaline battery. Now there is no need to wait around in charging stations just to call someone. This technology can potentially save time for those who need an instant hour of talk time. The mobile phone’s price is a steal as well at just around 27 EUR.
Aside from the fact that batteries are readily available, alkaline batteries can also be considered eco-friendly. When recycled and reused the proper way, these disposable batteries pose very little threat to Mother Earth as opposed to Li-on batteries. While the phone may not have been developed with just that cause in mind, the fellows at Olive Telecommunications sure are causing a stir and people all around the world are now starting talk about dual-powered smart phones.
Although Li-on power is unlikely to be replaced by this technology any time soon, a dual-powered mobile phone is a novel concept and is sure to be handy under a variety of situations.
Will this mean a line of dual-powered smart phones? Considering the fact that standard alkaline batteries have the capacity of 1000 mAh and some higher capacity disposable batteries reach up to a whopping 2000 mAh, two AAAs may just be enough to power a smart phone temporarily. We may very well see dual-powered Blackberrys in the future.
See screens of this handy phone in Engadget.
8
Mar
2010
Bringing the Internet to the Rest of Europe
According to recent studies, the lack of mobile coverage and internet in many rural regions has become the main reason why the younger generations tend to migrate to more populated urban areas and why the gap between the regions continue to grow.
Teenagers and young adults are first to feel the disconnection with their generation due to the fact that there is hardly any mobile or internet service in many rural areas. While over 60% of urban environments would allow you to access a mobile network or even the internet easily, this number drops down to a frighteningly low 1.5% in rural areas.
With society becoming more and more reliant in internet access, social networking and doing business online, plenty of people are finding themselves unable to keep up when forced to live in areas that are pretty far away from the rest of the world –in terms of getting online that is.
Even adults in rural areas are finding trouble with the limited options for having mobile coverage since there are plenty of areas in the UK that only have network coverage for specific providers –as other mobile network operators are not able to expand as much as their competitors.
There has already been talk of the possibility of a new legislation that would force operators to open their services to other subscribers for a small “roaming charge” –similar to travelling outside the country where access to local providers is absent.
Education is also another major issue –with the internet being the major source of information for children for doing research, homework and social growth outside of class, there are now calls for increasing the number of Government initiatives in many rural areas.
Read more about the lack of mobile and net coverage and its effects in rural areas at the Guardian UK.
1
Mar
2010
Windows Phone 7 Series Gets Tentative Handsets
The new Windows Phone 7 series mobile platform is a truly impressive new OS. Obviously, with a release date not due until later this year, lots of work still has to be done and the platform is far from ready. Despite that, Microsoft did not fail to impress. If anything, they proved that they can make a truly amazing operating system that could possibly change the way we look at mobile phones.
Now, the one thing we are all wondering about is: what kind of phone will the OS appear on?
So far, three major mobile phone manufacturers have been tagged as the next potential WP7 handset producer. The lineup is pretty promising too.
HTC was first to make the announcement that they would be making a Windows Phone 7 handset and would have a device ready by the holidays. The Taiwanese mobile phone manufacturer has had a very long history with Microsoft, longer than their new ties with Google and the Android OS. Since HTC was one of the pioneers during the Pocket PC era, it would be fitting for HTC to play a major role with WP7.
Asus and Microsoft are currently working on a WP7 device that will be branded by Microsoft –or so goes the rumor. In any case, this might be the first time Microsoft will be working with its own mobile device and we are certainly looking forward to seeing what these two companies can bring to the table.
Just recently, reports that the upcoming LG Apollo will be the first WP7 handset have also popped up. The new phone is expected to come out as early as September; there are even reports that it might be ready by August. Even if this is true, the OS is not expected to be ready until much later.
Read more about the LG WP7 handset at Mobile Choice UK.
23
Feb
2010
Microsoft’s New Battle Plan
The Mobile World Congress came with a flood of brand new mobile devices, apps, gadgets and even new mobile platforms. Samsung’s Wave phone debut the new Bada OS for the Korean developer and while that was amazing, one cannot deny that Microsoft stole most of the spot light with their presentation of the new Windows Phone 7 series.
If you are wondering why there is so much excitement over a mobile platform that is not due until later this October, then you probably missed the part where they showed the user interface.
On paper, it sounds pretty basic. Large pages that go beyond the range of a phone display will be used as the main interface. The touch screen will allow users to pan around to get to the specific information needed and the bleeding effect is both stylish to look at and telling of the fact that there is always more to see.
Each major page delivers one specific phone feature –people, music and videos, pictures, games, marketplace and office. At present most of the pages still have missing features. Take office for example; so far only OneNote and SharePoint is accessible. “Games” only has Xbox Live Games and no actual games.
When shown in an actual working demonstration however, everything falls into place. Not to mention that they also added in Zune for media and Bing services as well.
Microsoft has been focusing not only on delivering a user experience that is unique, but also a platform that will attract developers to invest time and effort in the platform. There are thousands of apps out there, but to actually have applications that are well made and can deliver “immersive experiences” would be a key factor to the success of WP7.
Read more about Windows Phone 7 at Tech Radar.
18
Feb
2010
Windows Phone 7 Brings Absolute Change
Change is a great thing when you have a platform that never seemed to work right. And so, Windows Mobile changed.
Steve Ballmer and his troops have been at the front lines of the Mobile World Congress as they showcased the new Windows Phone 7 series platform. Yep, you heard that right. The new system comes with a new name. Phone 7 replaces Mobile 7. Despite Windows Mobile 7 being a lot more catchy, the new name designates the vast change in pace.
This strong symbolism comes from strong will and intent. It is clear from looking at the new Windows Phone user interface that the developers have worked hard to create a mobile phone experience that changes the way we view and use mobile phones.
To quote the presenters, “the phone is not a PC”.
It’s a great mantra that has allowed MS to reinvent the way we handle and open data. The new page hubs layout makes things so much easier to find and customize. Speaking of customization, the new tiles system will be replacing widgets and will allow you to assign almost any form of content.
Office was also shown in the demonstration, though only OneNote, SharePoint and Mobile Outlook are confirmed to be present. It is expected that when the full version comes out, Office will be with complete systems.
Zune is confirmed to be present. While Zune is not yet locally available in the UK, it is impressive in the way it handles music. It certainly makes tagging and sorting so much easier.
Xbox Live Games is also new. Too bad there are no game demos so it is still anyone’s guess if exclusive XBL titles will make it to the mobile form.
Get the full scoop on the Windows Phone 7 series at the Telegraph UK.
12
Feb
2010
Does Higher Fees Mean Better Apps?
The Guardian’s Vic Keegan raises a very sound idea; for those of us always asking for more – let’s pay more to get more.
And by more, it is not a matter of quantity but quality. Indeed, with applications being sold at better prices, both companies and independent developers can truly invest in creating fully functional and bug-free programs for a good profit. Since the software will sell for a higher price, they can manage to spend more time on the production processes to polish things better.
Ideally, this would work, but in practice, the idea will only go so far as having developers earn a whole lot more.
Now, the argument extends to an even more logical point, that if the developers were paid better, they can create applications that are suited not only for a specific platform. In this case, hundreds, if not thousands of iPhone applications will be made available for smart phone using other operating systems such as Symbian, Android and even Windows Mobile.
Basically, by moving away from the Apple’s C programming language to HTML5, then developers would have a more universally usable language to play around with. Ironically, it was Steve Jobs who said that the reason why the iPad currently does not support Flash was that he believed that HTML5 is the right way to go –perhaps Apple would later integrate apps written for web.
The problem about making an application that is universal is that it will not be able to make full use of the hardware and features on specific phones. Without going around in circles, it seems that having a universal sub platform for apps on existing operating systems would also help solve things.
Anyway, it does get pretty odd when you start viewing things from a consumer’s standpoint. But for a unique look into the many difficult considerations that developers have to face, read Keegan’s article at the Guardian.
