8
Jul
2010
Microsoft Database Reveals LG E900 and C900
Korean phone maker LG has yet to confirm what the LG E900 and C900 phones are, but if the leaked database is to be analyzed, it seems that the two handsets are going to be WP7 devices.
Microsoft Mobile is currently busy with the development and support for their operating systems: Windows Mobile and the newer Windows Phone 7. With the upcoming launch of WP7 this coming October, it is expected that a large range of handsets will be available for buyers to choose from.
While the spec differences will not matter much (thanks to the pre-released minimum hardware requirements and chassis form factor), being able to choose a phone from a wide range of trusted phone makers is certain to be a great factor in marketing the new OS.
LG’s name has already been one of the leading brands in the WP7 handset department –and by leading, we mean the very first to announce their handset, show off the device in images, and later, even release a quick video demonstrating what the device looks like. The LG Panther is far ahead of its competitors in the industry, as WP7 handsets from many other manufacturers do not even have names yet. And those that did still have not released any other hardware details.
Unfortunately, the same can be said about the E900 and C900. Without any confirmation from LG or Microsoft about the two devices, it is difficult to determine if they really are upcoming smart phones or if they are completely difference devices. There are some early presumptions that one of the devices might already be the LG Panther’s designation code -which means that there really is a second LG WP7 handset that is currently in the works.
According to Microsoft, the Windows Phone 7 operating system is expected to launch during October and many devices that use the OS will be launched during the holiday season.
2
Jul
2010
Android Gingerbread in New Rumors
While we are all waiting for the release of the new Android Froyo update for the many smart phones running Google’s powerful, open source, operating system –Google has been busy in their labs working on what would be the newest version of the Android OS: version 3.0 Gingerbread.
The name (and version number) has already been announced during the Google I/O conference. But with the expected launch date of “end of 2010” being several months away, the current focus for many is on the 2.2 Froyo –which is still not released for a great majority of handsets. Right now, only the Google Nexus One is able to make use of the update that is available. While it is expected that compatible patches will also be released in the next few weeks, none have yet to be made available.
Anyway, the rumors regarding the new version 3.0 Gingerbread are both impressive and at the same time, a little hard to believe. The source of the rumors has been traced to a Russian tech podcast that states that the new 3.0 version will be made specifically for high end Android devices –while mid to low range handsets will be sticking with version 2.2 Froyo. While such a move would not be surprising (Microsoft is doing the same with Windows Mobile and the upcoming Windows Phone 7), Google is not quite likely to take that route.
Right now, Google’s mobile platform is the most used OS –considering that there are so many handsets that make use of the OS. Pushing version 3.0 to abandon the older OS would mean alienating a large percent of Google’s current users. Also, Google also announced at the I/O conference that they plan to make the Gingerbread something close to a standard version –stable and with minimal compatibility issues so that all devices have a specific benchmark to meet.
22
Jun
2010
Microsoft Announced New Business Class Platform
If there is one part of the mobile phone community that is not too excited about the upcoming, super dynamic and incredibly stylish Windows Phone 7 operating system, it is the business sector. For many years, Microsoft has been the primary option –though, second to RIM’s BlackBerry handsets. Thanks to the many business solutions offered by the handsets that come with the Windows Mobile operating system, most businesses find themselves relying heavily on either one of these two phones.
It was not too surprising that after Steve Ballmer went up onstage at the Mobile World Congress at Barcelona, Spain, many heavy users of the WinMo operating system felt worried that Microsoft would shift on their mobile phone focus.
This worry however, is something that Microsoft has chosen to address. Initially, they announced that Windows Mobile will still be developed and continued –a promise that they are living up to with the recent announcement of new WinMo devices such as the Samsung Omnia Pro 4 and Omnia Pro 5.
However, Microsoft is not just going to stop at Windows Mobile 6.5, just recently, they announced the release of Windows Embedded Handheld which will serve as a new alternative to business clients. The software developer intends to support three main operating systems: Windows Phone for the general class users, Windows Embedded Compact and Embedded Handheld for business clients. This combination provides the company with plenty of market range with their services and products.
Despite the growing number of casual smart phone users, the number of business clients is still substantial. Last year, about 2.3 million business smart phones were shipped, that volume is expected to double for this year, with a continuous degree of growth in the coming years as more companies adapt to the use of smart phones for conducting business.
8
Feb
2010
WinMo Maldives: Better Than We Thought
Just because the number was changed to 6.5.3 does not mean that the Maldives update is any less than it would have been if it retained the previously announced 6.6 designation –or so Microsoft would want us to believe. Obviously, the pressure to prematurely bring out the update for the upcoming Mobile World Congress this month at Barcelona, Spain would have forced some features out the Window.
Still, from what has been announced about version 6.5.3, there seems to be a lot to look forward to with the OS. For those who may remember, WinMo 6.5 and previous versions of the operating system had plenty of critics due to the way the user interface was made. It was designed to be used with resistive touch screens and stylus controls. This made for small icons and buttons that were hard to press if the user was using a finger –which made using WinMo incompatible with capacitive touch screen phones. The HTC HD2 had a workaround using a skinned WinMo OS with the HTC Sense user interface.
Anyway, the Maldives update has been looked forward to since it was originally announced and it looks like we are going to see it active on a device during the MWC.
This week, it was announced that the Sony Ericsson Aspen with be the very first mobile phone to have the 6.5.3 version of WinMo. The business edition smart phone will come equipped with a 2.4 inch touch screen and full QWERTY keyboard –a nice match for the Windows Mobile OS. Maldives is reported to be compatible with gestures, multi touch and other finger input commands –a vast improvement over the previous version which relied heavily on the use of a stylus.
Read more about the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Maldives and its’ new features from Tech Radar.
7
Dec
2009
Windows Mobile Sees a New Update: The MobileNavigator 7
There have been a few updates recently for the navigation applications for the mobile phone users using Windows Mobile operating software, and the latest one is that the MobileNavigator 7 has been introduced from the NAVIGON.
The navigation application update will be compatible with the Windows Mobile 6.5, which is being used by most of the Windows Mobile market right now. For the European version of the application, it has been claimed to be priced with a 20 percent decrease, at 74.95 Euros for the markets in Europe.
According to Gerhard Mayr, the newer version will enable both the users of the MobileNavigation 7, as well as fresh customers to be able to upgrade their smartphones with updated navigation services and features.
The developers have pointed out that the new updates will enable Windows Mobile users to benefit from the NAVIGON Traffic Live 2 as well, a feature which became quite popular with Apple’s iPhone users. This feature, priced at 24.95 Euros actually allowed users to learn about the happenings in the local traffic, in order to find out what kind of conditions they will be finding on the road as they progress through the road.
The updated version will allow the users to carry out local searches through Google in order to easily navigate towards their desired destinations. The updated version will allow the maps to be displayed in portrait or landscape modes and will allow the users to install the map navigation feature for the first time in their handsets.
MobileNavigator 7, in its updated form, will be available for a much lower price tag of 74.95 Euros, instead of the regular 99 Euros, but the offer is only valid till January 18. The NAVIGON mobile along with the Live Traffic is available for a price tag of 89.95 Euros. For those who are into camping, the ADAC Camping and Caravanning Guide and the Caravan Park Guide packages for 2009 are available for 19.95 Euros.
Go exploring!
20
Nov
2009
Microsoft Confirms Windows 7 Mobile UI
Rumours that Windows Mobile 7 announcement is scheduled for the first quarter of the new year was confirmed by the Vice President of Microsoft Office, Kurt Delbene. He also stated specifically that the launch will take place during Microsoft MIX 2010 conference in March.
This turns out to be good news since the rumour has been confirmed and we can now expect the launch of Windows Mobile 7 in less than half a year. I really hope it won’t exceed another six months before it runs on actual device. There is a very great likelihood that the release date cannot be earlier than the third quarter of next year being rumoured.
Microsoft has also delivered the beta versions of both desktop and mobile Office for 2010. What this means is that if you own a device running Windows Mobile 6.5 then you can download the beta version free of charge from Windows Marketplace.
Another juicy story is the simultaneous posting and removal of a screen shot of Microsoft Office Mobile 10 on its official web page. It displays a UI, similar to what we all saw a few months ago stating it was from Windows 7. Well, for now it still looks unkept, and no one can say for sure if it actually originated from Windows 7 or a cooked-up interface to deceive users.
The UI makes it easy to take documents fromyour smartphone back to your computer to enabling emailing to others
We can only just hope and await the next Windows Mobile installment scheduled for the first quarter of next year. (March to be precise)
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