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Author: Surur

  • HTC patents USB Host adaptor

    htcusbhostpatent

    USB Host is a pretty useful feature to have on a smartphone, but also a feature that has so far been pretty rare on HTC’s devices.

    It is therefore of interest when they apply for a patent for an adaptor which makes USB Host a little bit easier.  The adaptor allows one to power the smartphone at the same time as powering the USB accessory using the same port.

    It is of interest that the HTC HD2, which does have USB Host, will only function if the device plugged is powered externally suggesting that HTC may have intended to release this accessory at some point.

    See the patent here.

  • Microsoft makes 64 GB ZuneHD official

    Press release: We’re excited to share that Zune fans will be able to purchase a new 64GB capacity of the popular Zune HD device for $349.99 starting April 12th through ZuneOriginals.com. By increasing the Zune HD capacity to 64GB, users will be able take up to 16,000 songs, or 20 hours of high definition video from Zune Marketplace, or 25,000 pictures on the go! Customers will be able to customize their Zune HD 64GB through ZuneOrginals.com, available in their choice of Platinum, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple and Magenta colors.

    In addition to introducing the new 64GB capacity, we are also reducing the prices of the 16GB and 32GB devices. Starting today, price lists are being distributed to retailers, setting the Estimated Retail Price (ERP) for the Zune 16GB device at $199.99 and the Zune HD 32GB device at $269.99.

    With its OLED multi-touch screen, built-in HD radio, HD video out capabilities and Internet browser, Zune HD is a full-function media player which has received accolades from press and consumers. We’ve also announced details of an upcoming firmware update which will add even more features to the device, such as Smart DJ auto-playlists directly on the Zune HD, ability to browse, stream and acquire music from Zune Marketplace on your TV (while the device is connected to a TV set through the A/V dock) and expanded codec support allowing users to play more video formats natively from the device.

    We are excited to be offering a great range of storage capacities for the Zune HD at a competitive price point and will be sharing more news on the availability of the 4.5 firmware in the coming days.

    Via Engadget.com

  • Apple sued for multi-touch patents

    In a delicious twist on Apple’s attack on HTC, the company itself is now being sued by a small Taiwanese firm for infringing on its multi-touch patents.

    Just like Apple, Elan Microelectronics Corp. is asking the U.S. trade agency to ban the import and sale of both the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad due to patent infringement.

    Elan’s complaint filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington claims Apple “knowingly and deliberately” used Elan’s technology, while continuing to introduce infringing products, the company claims in the complaint.

    “Our goal is to protect our technology and to stop sales of those products in the U.S.,” Dennis Liu, spokesman for Hsinchu, Taiwan-based Elan.

    Elan makes chips and touch-screens, and has previously won against Synaptics Inc. in 2008 in Federal Court in California, claiming they infringed the same technology and has previously also sued Apple in April 2009 in federal court in California claiming infringement of the same patent.

    Apple declined to comment.

    More at BusinessWeek here.

  • Interest in Windows Phone 7 application development nearly triple in last 3 months

    MobileDeveloperSurvey_graph5_March2010 wp7hellowworld

    AppAcelerator has released the results of their developer poll, and notes that interest in developing on the Windows Phone platform nearly tripled between January and March 2010.

    The number went from a very low 13% to a much more respectable 34%.  That still however leaves Windows Phone 7 in 5th place, but well ahead of Palm and Symbian, with iPhone leading at 87%, Android at 81%, iPad at 80%, and Blackberry at 43%, and leaves Microsoft with still a lot of work to do to entice developers to their platform.

    AppAcelerator makes cross platform development tools for desktop and mobile OS’s.

    Read more at about the survey at ComputerWorld here and see the full poll result at AppAcelerator here.

    What should Microsoft do to move from close to last place to first place in developer interest?  Let us know below.

  • HTC HD2 sold beyond expectation, HTC unprepared for “massively strong demand”

    soldouthtchd2 UK based FoneShop.com has released this press release below which however still contains some interesting quotes from HTC.

    Smartphone manufacturers HTC have seemingly been caught unaware by the massive b2b demand for its latest HD2 handset. With an increase in b2b consumer demand, smartphones dealers have reported difficulties sourcing the HD2 for supply since the turn of the New Year.

    The HTC HD2, which was unveiled November last year, has sold far beyond initial expectations with the handset boasting the worlds largest touch-screen and innovative blend between Windows Mobile and HTC Sense software.

    HTCs UK chief executive, Jon French admits they have been surprised by the influx in interest from both casual and b2b consumers.

    "I have to hold my hands up to that one. It is fair comment. We saw a huge uptake following the product launch in November and we were struggling to keep up with demand. There was a massively strong demand for the HD2."

    Nevertheless, Mr French has also revealed that HTC is working hard to meet the demand and enhance its market share across business and casual user markets.

    At the end of March, a smartphones distributing source revealed: "Everybody we deal with has been asking for stock and there are just not enough devices out there. The shortage has been getting worse over the last three weeks. We are being inundated with calls and every single scrap is getting picked up."

    Although the HTC HD2 is not Android-powered and therefore not connected to the Android marketplace, the Windows marketplace is beginning to offer a bigger range of mobile apps tailored for everyday usage. The main reason for a lack of choice for Windows Mobile smartphones apps is that the marketplace does not support open-source software which has enabled hundreds of developers to push their products on the Android marketplace.

    We have certainly seen device shortages in both Europe and US when the device was released in the respective markets.  It is somewhat surprising that HTC was not prepared for demand for the device, but I think it would be accurate to blame this on HTC’s focus on Android and an expectation of more rapid decline in interest in Windows Mobile.  I do however feel that the only real feature missing from Windows Mobile was capacitive screens which has similarly stimulated sales from devices such as the Nokia’s Symbian Touch devices.

    At present the only real limiting factor on the success of the HTC HD2 is the cloud cast by the upcoming Windows Phone 7 series, something which could be corrected, were it nor for Microsoft’s intransigence on the issue.

    Is the HTC HD2 doing better than our readers expected? Let us know below.

  • TouchTris reviewed

    Touchtris brings the good old classic Tetris puzzle game on to windows phone, one good things about it is that its quite finger friendly and optimized for touch screen devices.

    Read more at BestWindowsMobileApps.com here.

  • Another look at the HTC HD Mini

    Here is another look at the HTC HD Mini, which seems to have been designed specifically with the rather diminutive Eric Lin of HTC in mind.

    The video is published by CellphoneTrek who did come directly to the point regarding the upgradability to Windows phone 7, which of course the device does not have.  Clearly HTC sees these handsets as rather disposable rather than long-lasting investments.

    Are any of our readers considering the HTC HD Mini? Let us know below.

  • Microsoft talks Windows Phone 7 advertising campaign

    Mary Jo Foley spoke to David Webster, the chief strategy officer in Microsoft’s central marketing group on their Windows Phone 7 marketing strategy.

    Webster emphasized that the marketing and product planning teams for Windows Phone 7 have been working side-by-side, to devise the “story telling” for that product from the very start.

    Microsoft wants the new phone ads to attract customers who may never have used (or didn’t realize they were using) a Windows Mobile phone. “The ‘people’ focus was a big part of the (Windows 7) branding” and will be a continued emphasis for Windows Phone 7, Webster said.

    Smartphones are a lot like search, Webster said, in that users, when asked, say they are mostly satisfied with their phones but then actually have a litany of complaints. Other phone vendors are locked into certain models and messages, he said. “They’re solving for a problem from four years ago,” he said. Microsoft has the advantage of being able to come in with a new model and message because it is basically starting over with Windows Phone 7.

    The messaging “needs to reflect customers we have and customers we don’t,” he said. It also needs to explain why Microsoft is opting for a different phone model with elements like hubs and Live Tiles, instead of the app-centric approach of its competitors, Webster said. Windows Phone 7 also is the perfect vehicle for Microsoft to highlight the interdependence and convergence of different Microsoft brands and technologies, since Windows Phone 7 devices will be running Bing, Office Mobile, Zune services, Internet Explorer, and Windows Live, Webster pointed out.

    Microsoft will be working with Crispin, Porter + Bogusky — the agency that did the Laptop Hunters, “Windows 7 Was My Idea,” to create its Windows Phone 7 ads.

    We have already seen how a massive advertising campaign can have very positive results in terms of uptake.  Examples include the Droid and Bing. The only question that remains is whether Microsoft is willing to commit that level of resources to its mobile ambitions.

    Read more at the All about Microsoft blog here.

  • Xperiancers shuts down, with it the X2 support promises?

    xperiancersshutdownSony Ericsson is shutting down its Xperiancers  blog. Citing the increased importance of its Xperia brand as embodies in its X10 series, the company has now decided to move the content over to its product blog.

    With the heavy emphasis on the Xperia X10 one wonders if the blog’s promises to support the Xperia X2 will also similarly vanish.  An update to the little known Windows Mobile 6.5.2 has been promised in February this year to arrive in March, leaving SE with only 1.5 days to make good on it, which seems rather unlikely.  In that context a Windows Mobile 6.5.3 upgrade in May, also promised by Sony Ericsson on the Xperiancers blog, seems even less so.

    Hopefully the company will still make good on its promises, and not repeat its X1 mistake, which it itself acknowledged “attracted some criticism”.

    Thanks Mitch for the tip.

  • Yanko designs my dream Windows Mobile device

    Yanko has decided to design their dream web-centric device and has chosen a Windows Mobile device as the base.  HTC Universal owners will immediately recognize how much the design owes to that great device, and start lusting after this concept too.

    The design features a 6.5 inch 16:9 capacitive screen and full-size folding keyboard with a generous collection of extra keys. Unfortunately in their design the screen only folds back 115 degrees.  A perfect design would see the screen being capable of rotating a full 360 degrees so the device could also be used as a slate, with the folding keyboard locked together of course.

    See a few more pictures below in the gallery, and the whole collection at Yanko Design here.









    Via Slashgear.com

  • Bluetooth 4.0 to be big next year

    bluetoothlogo Gartner has predicted 10 technologies it believes will “evolve in ways that affect corporate strategies, significant numbers of customers or employees will adopt or expect them, or will address particular mobile challenges that organizations will face”.  Amongst these are Bluetooth 4.0, a technology I must admit I have not been paying particular attention to.

    Bluetooth 3.0 is expected to only reach handsets in the next few months, but Bluetooth 4.0 already brings a new and interesting feature.

    Bluetooth 4.0 will introduce a new low-energy (LE) mode that will enable communication with external peripherals and sensors, says Gartner. Bluetooth 4.0 and its LE technology “will enable a range of new sensor-based business models in industries such as fitness, healthcare, and environmental control and will be used by handset and PC peripherals to enable new functions, such as PCs that autolock when users move away from them,” says the research group.

    Bluetooth 4.0 LE devices are expected to be able to survive on a small watch cell battery for more than a year, and move Bluetooth well out of just the scope of phones and headsets.

    I can imagine a low cost, long-life sensor/transmitter may be very useful for things such as smart signage or even food labelling. Can our readers think of a use for pervasive low power sensors? Let us know below.

    Read more about this and Gartner’s other predictions at WindowsforDevices.com

  • HTC Touch Pro 2 also gets a Facebook Albums hotfix

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    It seems the HTC HD2 is no the only device having mysterious difficulties viewing contact Facebook albums (clearly a feature no-one uses as I have not heard a single complaint).

    In any case, if you are one of the rare ones who suddenly found they can no longer use this feature, HTC has a hotfix for you.

    Download the hotfix, which is applicable to all ROM versions, at HTC here.  The update should not affect your data, but as usual a backup is recommended.

  • HTC aims high with 4.5 million Q2 2010 target

    According to Commercial Times (via Digitimes.com) HTC is expected to reach a new high water mark for quarterly shipments, and is widely expected to ship up to 4.5 million handsets in Q2 2010.

    This number is more than a million more than the 3.3 to 3.5 million shipped in Q1 2010, and a great sign of recovery for the handset maker who shipped only around 11 million in the whole of 2009.

    Amongst a variety of Android handsets, the HTC HD mini is also expected to help drive shipment growth in the second quarter, the paper said.

    HTC’s increasingly high profile success has recently caught the eye of Apple, who is currently in the process of suing it for patent violation largely related to its use of the Android OS.

    Via Digitimes.com.

  • SciLor’s GrooveMobile reviewed

    We are having quite a few choice for GrooveShark clients on Windows Mobile , the latest one comes from SciLor who is no stranger to windows mobile app development. Today we take a look at SciLor’s GrooveMobile which is a GrooveShark app for windows mobile which is free, but does it have the features to compete with the others ? Read on to find out.

    Read more at BestWindowsMobileApps.com

  • Toshiba K01 announced for June in Japan

    toshibak01Akihabaranews reports that Toshiba has announced the Windows Mobile 6.5.3  Toshiba K01 (known as the ISO02) in Japan. There the handset is CDMA but retains the 4.1 inch AMOLED WVGA screen, Snapdragon processor and other specs.

    Unfortunately Akihabara reports the model shown of at the press launch was unoptimised and sluggish – here’s hoping Toshiba will do their homework before they release the handset in the west.

    Read more at Toshiba here.

  • Microsoft officially spreads its Panoramic UI over the large screen

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    Microsoft has made the ZuneHD marketplace and smart DJ features accessible while the device is docked in the 720P-capable AV Dock and of course what is most interesting is to see the Metro Panoramic UI unfurled over a big screen, and it does look as gorgeous as we always expected it to.

    The update of course also reminds us how a device fully under Microsoft’s control can continue to develop over time, again raising hope of a rapid continuing development of Windows Phone 7, even after release.

    If you are a ZuneHD owner, read the release below.

    smartdj-gal-rm-eng It’s been an exciting few months for Zune. We launched the Zune HD device last September which has been receiving press and consumer praise for its OLED screen, HD Radio, HD video out and key music discovery features, which become even more powerful with a Zune Pass subscription. We also expanded the Zune service to additional platforms. We brought Zune video to Xbox LIVE in November, giving consumers access to instant on 1080p HD with 5.1 surround sound and the ability to buy content once and play it on the TV through Xbox LIVE, on the PC through the Zune software and on the go on a Zune device. We also announced last month that Zune will be an integrated feature on Windows Phone 7 Series and we’re looking forward to sharing more details about the Zune experience on Windows Phones in the coming weeks and months.

    Earlier this year, we also shared that we’ll be introducing a Zune HD firmware update this spring. We’re excited to be bringing even more features and functionality to Zune users through this update, and wanted to share some additional details around what will be introduced.

    – Smart DJ on Zune HD: Zune has always been committed to helping people discover new music. We added "Smart DJ" to the Zune software last fall and now we’re bringing this popular music discovery feature to the Zune HD device. Smart DJ on Zune HD will let you create an instant playlist mix whenever the inspiration strikes direct from your device. Just choose a song or artist from your collection or from the Zune Marketplace catalog and press the Smart DJ icon to build a new mix based on your selection. If you have a Zune Pass music subscription it will pull music from your existing collection and the Zune Marketplace catalog to create the mix. If you don’t have a Zune Pass subscription you can still use Smart DJ to build a playlist from the collection on your device.

    – Picks on Zune HD: Picks is another popular music recommendation feature in the Zune software which we’re extending to the Zune HD device. The Picks algorithm analyzes what you listen to and compares that to millions of other Zune users to make personalized recommendations. With this update, you’ll be able to access these automatic recommendations directly on the Zune HD device as well as on your PC.

    – Browse and Stream Music from Zune Marketplace on your TV: Using the Zune HD A/V dock, you can connect your Zune HD to your TV to play your favorite videos and music from your device on the big screen. With this software update, you’ll also be able to browse and stream music from Zune Marketplace directly on your TV to find and listen to your favorite music from the comfort of your couch. You can browse New Releases, check out recommendations from your Picks page, search for a specific song or artist, or even create a new Smart DJ playlist on your big screen – a great way to make an instant soundtrack for your next party.

    – Expanded Video Codec Support: With expanded support to include MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile (ASP), which includes Xvid and AVI support, you’ll be able to immediately enjoy a broader range of video content natively on Zune HD – no transcoding required.

    The update will be offered as a free download in the next few weeks, and we’ll be sure to let you know when it’s available. In the meantime, we wanted to share an image of the Smart DJ feature on the Zune HD device which is attached here; All a user needs to do is press the Smart DJ icon on the far right of the screen to build a new mix based on their favorite music.

    Via Engadget.com

  • LifeHacker does Windows Phone 7 series look for Windows 7 how to

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    We have posted before on the Windows Phone 7 series inspired live desktop for Windows 7. Now LifeHacker has published a detailed how to guide to achieving the look on your desktop or netbook.

    The mod makes heavy use of the Rainmeter system, that is said to be super light on resources, and the Omnino plugin for this.

    See the full guide at Lifehacker here.

  • HTC shows of its H1 2010 phone collection

    Pocketnow have published this video showing HTC’s collection of phones released so far in 2010, shown off by HTC’s Eric Lin at CTIA. 

    Shown off on the video is the HTC Smart, HTC HD2, HTC HD Mini and a variety of Android phones.  Interestingly Eric Lin revealed HTC’s new collection have been designed by One and Co, the design company HTC bought recently and who designed the iconic HTC Touch Diamond. 

    I must say, I am not really feeling the design of the HTC HD Mini, especially compared to the HTC HD2. Do our readers agree? Let us know below.

  • HTC HD Mini coming to O2

    htchdminio2 CoolSmartphone has spotted the recently announced HTC HD Mini in O2 UK’s April catalogue.

    The 3.2 inch HVGA device with its capacitive screen is being advertised to business users, much like its much larger version, the HTC HD2.

    The handset was recently unveiled at Mobile World Congress and is only the second Windows Mobile smartphone with a capacitive screen, which is surely a selling point for those who find the HTC HD2’s awesome 4.3 inch screen a bit too much.

    More at CoolSmartphone here.

  • SureRC – VNC-compatible Remote Control Software for Windows Mobile devices announced

    surerc2 Press Release – 42Gears, a provider of affordable mobile device management solutions, today announced the release of its new product, SureRC for Windows Mobile devices.

    SureRC is a powerful remote administration tool for managing fleet of mobile devices out in the field. Once SureRC is installed and started on a mobile device, an administrator can take full control of the device. Administrator can see the device screen and can use the desktop mouse and keyboard to interact with the mobile device. Any freely available or third-party VNC viewer program like RealVNC can be used to connect to the mobile device over a TCP/IP network such as WiFi, GPRS, 3G, Wired or ActiveSync.

    Features:

    • Take full control of your Windows Mobile devices when they are in the field
    • Compatible with most VNC viewer programs such as RealVNC
    • Supports connections to VNC viewers (avoid firewall problems on the device side)
    • Faster screen update on slow networks with ZRLE Compression
    • VNC Authentication support
    • Enhance security with VPN
    • SureRC is supported on windows mobile devices running WM 5.0, WM 6.0, WM 6.1 and WM 6.5.

    Aimed at enterprise, a 50 license pack costs $945, with a free SureRC trial available at the company website 42gears.com/surerc.