Author: Surur

PDA 24/7 have reviewed Sony Ericsson’s latest, if not greatest Windows Mobile 6.5.3 handset. They note the handset is likely one of the last touch screen Windows Mobile devices with a front-facing QWERTY keyboard and while the device was speedy, and had reasonable call quality,  it had little multi-media potential, and unfortunately the keyboard was nothing worth writing home about.

A bit tragically, Shaun concludes:

This hasn’t gone well has it? I have no idea why Sony Ericsson has made the Aspen. I do not understand why it has persevered with Windows Mobile, but mostly I do not understand how and why it was designed the way it has been. It could make a usable business smartphone, but there are MUCH better phones out there for this purpose and it excels in no areas at all.

Read his full review here.

A long time ago LG promised to deliver more than 50 Windows Phone devices.  Not much came of that announcement then, so its heartening to see the company is planning to release more than one Windows Phone 7 device.

The above picture published by Handcellphone.com claims to be a new Windows Phone 7  device with a 3.8 inch AMOLED screen and 5 megapixel camera and also included QWERTY keyboard, all in a device a bit thicker than the Nexus One.  it clearly also has a front-facing camera, a feature now also getting more common in USA.

Apparently the picture had been leaked by a Microsoft employee from France.  The larger screen certainly makes the smartphone a lot more attractive than the earlier model shown of by Microsoft at various events.

Do our readers like the device? Let us know below.

Via WMExperts.com

The HTC Mondrian’s ROM has been cracked, and some secrets are spilling out.  The above image has been extracted from “oemavatar.cab by user ‘Fdo35′. Also found in the registry was reference to a "4.3in WVGA Optrex" screen, lack of QWERTY keyboard and customization for the   SnapDragon QSD8650A/B processor which runs at 1.3 Ghz  and supports CDMA and GSM.

Is this device lustworthy enough to overcome any Windows Phone 7 objections? Let us know below.

Source: XDA-Dev via WMExperts.com

The BGR has confirmed once again that the LG Fanthom, a Windows Mobile 6.5 slider, will be coming to USA’s biggest carrier in the next 4 weeks.

The latest leak does not confirm any specs, but an earlier account has the device featuring a 3.2 inch WVGA screen and 3.2 megapixel camera in a landscape slider form factor.

Read more at BGR here.

I know many of our readers feel I am unnecessary and unfairly down on Microsoft’s new mobile OS, and harbour an unnatural love for Windows Mobile 6.

The reasons are however simple – Microsoft has given long time fans of Windows Mobile precious little to love about Windows Phone 7, with each piece of news that gets dribbled out seemingly only making things worse.

The latest is the revelation that the only way to get documents onto a Windows Phone 7 device is either to e-mail it to yourself or use some cloud-based solution such as Sharepoint or Skydrive. No mention of USB transfer or bluetooth FTP or even Activesync. In short again just another poor copy of the iPhone.

Now this bad news is tempered somewhat by the not unexpected news that Windows Phone 7 will support multiple Exchange accounts, but as this seems to be a less than compelling feature that is hardly exciting.

This has prompted to to write another editorial, hopefully giving Microsoft some idea of what would keep this long time Windows Mobile user happy.

What Microsoft has done right is:

1) New user interface developer tools

This was a long time coming, and frankly something Microsoft should have made available years ago.

2) Better minimum hardware specifications

If Microsoft has specified a minimum of ARM7 processors and capacitive screens 18 months ago Windows Mobile would have been a lot more competitive.

3) Multimedia improvements

This is one of the biggest failures of Windows Mobile and Microsoft in general, and we frankly did not need a whole new OS to get an improved Windows Mobile player.

4) Over the air updates

This essential feature have been lurking in our phones since Windows Mobile 5, but has of course for some unfathomable reason never been used, not even when the widespread Daylight Savings Time issue presented the perfect opportunity.

The list of what they have done wrong almost seems too long to list, but I shall give it a go in any case.

1) The massive delay before the release of Windows Phone 7

We understand Microsoft changed strategy half-way along the way and threw out all previous work, including the baby with the bath water, but this particular error may be the fatal one.

2) Removing signature features such as cut and paste and multi-tasking.

These are particularly ironic in the face of the iPhone adopting the same. And before anyone say the iPhone is using the same version of multi-tasking as Windows Phone 7, this is patently not true when the iPhone OS 4 will allow background GPS navigation while Windows Phone 7 will not.

3) Removing all backward compatibility

It is really a toss up whether this or the delay in release will be the killing blow for Windows Phone 7, but together with the above it means Microsoft starts at exactly 0, with no momentum of upgrading users and no existing ecosystem.

4) A massive reliance on cloud services

Cloud services means a data plan, which limits the market to those willing to pay 50% more to use their device. It is also slow and unreliable in most parts of the world, including many cities in USA.

5) No synergies with desktop Windows

This is another massive weakness. Possibly related to anti-trust fears, we have seen all Microsoft’s competitors leverage their strengths (Apple with ITunes and the iPod and Google with Search, Gmail and advertising).  Microsoft’s desktop dominance is not reflected in any way in their mobile OS.

What can Microsoft do to rescue their new OS from almost certain market failure? I will go into specifics.

1) There needs to be a common storage area on the device with USB Storage Mode access, File Explorer access, Bluetooth FTP access etc.

I can accept not having root access to the application storage area and \Windows, but not being able to even browse \My Documents is a travesty. Not being able to enter USB mode and transfer a file rapidly is another.

2) Windows Mobile software compatibility

Even if only in an emulated environment like in WebOS, this would be much better than starting from zero, especially for business users.

3) Proper multi-tasking for certified apps.

Sure, not every application needs multi-tasking but some certainly do.  A simple example is a pedometer, which needs to run in the background constantly.  The OS obviously also needs a UI to enable better application switching, like the Pre or even iPhone OS 4.0.

4) Give Windows 7 users a reason to run Windows Phone 7

There is about 1000 ways Microsoft could make running both of their OS’s more desirable, but really simple ones could include simply being able to run your sidebar widgets on your phone, or being (easily) able to use your phone as a remote control for desktop Windows Media Player.

5) A roadmap for the development of the OS.

Microsoft could get away with shipping their current crippled implementation if they had a clear roadmap which promised when better features will come.  In its absence users who may have waited will simply defect.

6) Be a fast follower

At present Microsoft is doing a pretty good job of copying the iPhone. From 3 years ago that is. Microsoft is a massive company with 1000 people working on their new OS.  There is no reason why they can not implement interesting features which appeared on other platforms in their OS, and rapidly too. By reacting so slowly they do little to assuage their image as a slow and lumbering giant.

7) Less reliance on partners

Microsoft traditionally rely on partners to help them achieve their goal.  This is failing pretty badly for them, with HP for example most recently cancelling the Slate. Other examples are ideas such as the Spot watches and Sideshow. They need to take responsibility for bringing their own ideas to fruition. This means more first party software and hardware, more games created directly by Microsoft, more accessories made by them, and a more direct relationship with the consumer.

Unless Microsoft takes all or at least some of these ideas on board they are destined to fail, even with consumers and the non-power users who many of our readers feel Windows Phone 7 is created for.

Do our readers feel I judge Windows Phone 7 and Microsoft too harshly? Leave your comments below.

Frogz.ft has uploaded this preview of the Twin Blades game, currently available on the iPhone, ported to Windows Phone 7.

The game is by BulkyPix and is heavily anime inspired.

Read more at Frogz.fr.

Microsoft has been unusually forthright with Gizmodo when they enquired about Microsoft’s elusive dual tablet.

According to Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s VP of corporate communications:

At any given time, across any of our business groups, there are new ideas being investigated, tested, and incubated. It’s in Microsoft’s DNA to continually develop and incubate new technologies to foster productivity and creativity. The "Courier" project is an example of this type of effort and its technologies will be evaluated for use in future Microsoft offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time.

Engadget speculates that the idea was at one time in development, but never really panned out internally and was eventually abandoned.  We have however seen some of the ideas implemented in other products, such as the sharing feature in the KIN so in the end all is not lost, and who knows, maybe many of the features will make a re-appearance when cut and paste come to Windows Phone 7.

Read the full story at Gizmodo here.

Acer has told Yahoo! that they will be releasing a full like of Mobile Internet Devices that will be running version 4.0 of their Shell UI, previously seen on their Windows Mobile devices such as the Acer M900. It is not known if the devices will run Windows Mobile or not.

The device should arrive by the end of May and will all include 3G data and software which will allow the devices to interact with each other.

Via Engadget.com

CNet has published a short editorial on why millions still buy Windows Mobile phones, despite the upcoming Windows Phone 7 and the presence of alternate mobile OSs.

They note that it is still the best device for native Outlook and Exchange integration, the phones come in numerous form factors, there are a huge legacy of useful 3rd party applications, the devices are cheaper due to the impending obsolescence and that for basic features the bugs have pretty much been worked out, unlike less mature platforms.

Have CNet missed any? Let us know below.

Press Release: HP and Palm, Inc.  today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which HP will purchase Palm, a provider of smartphones powered by the Palm webOS mobile operating system, at a price of $5.70 per share of Palm common stock in cash or an enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion. The transaction has been approved by the HP and Palm boards of directors.

The combination of HP’s global scale and financial strength with Palm’s unparalleled webOS platform will enhance HP’s ability to participate more aggressively in the fast-growing, highly profitable smartphone and connected mobile device markets. Palm’s unique webOS will allow HP to take advantage of features such as true multitasking and always up-to-date information sharing across applications.

“Palm’s innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP’s mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices,” said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. “And, Palm possesses significant IP assets and has a highly skilled team. The smartphone market is large, profitable and rapidly growing, and companies that can provide an integrated device and experience command a higher share. Advances in mobility are offering significant opportunities, and HP intends to be a leader in this market.”

“We’re thrilled by HP’s vote of confidence in Palm’s technological leadership, which delivered Palm webOS and iconic products such as the Palm Pre. HP’s longstanding culture of innovation, scale and global operating resources make it the perfect partner to rapidly accelerate the growth of webOS,” said Jon Rubinstein, chairman and chief executive officer, Palm. “We look forward to working with HP to continue to deliver industry-leading mobile experiences to our customers and business partners.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Palm stockholders will receive $5.70 in cash for each share of Palm common stock that they hold at the closing of the merger. The merger consideration takes into account the updated guidance and other financial information being released by Palm this afternoon. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of domestic and foreign regulatory approvals and the approval of Palm’s stockholders. The transaction is expected to close during HP’s third fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2010.

Palm’s current chairman and CEO, Jon Rubinstein, is expected to remain with the company.

Comment:

Of all the companies that were posited as possible suitors, HP has never been high on the list. HP has long been a Windows Mobile licensee, and has recently dabbled in Android. They are also a confirmed Windows Phone 7 OEM.  The details above appear to indicate that Palm will continue to run largely independently, which may limit the synergies Palm can extract from the union.

What do our readers think of this dramatic move? Let us know in the comments below.

HTC Corp has said that it expects record revenue in Q2 2010, and expects to ship 4.5 million devices, 50% up on the same period last year.

HTC has launched 6 devices this quarter, only one of which, the HTC HD Mini, is Windows Mobile, but HTC’s director of investor relations Joey Cheng Cheng said that despite the early adoption of Google Inc’s Android by US consumers, Europeans and Asians continued to be more familiar with smartphones running on the Windows platform.

“There is a new learning curve for each new platform,” Cheng said.

HTC said that it still expects to launch 2 further devices this quarter, and is widely expected to release 2 further Windows Mobile devices, the HTC Tera and the much anticipated HTC Trophy before the end of June 2010.

HTC has re-affirmed separately that they still expect to ship their first Windows Phone 7 device by the end of the year.

HTC’s first-quarter profits grew 2.5 percent from a year ago to NT$5 billion, amid growing momentum from Europe and Asia.

Via TaipeiTimes.com

In an interesting and frankly bizarre move,  Microsoft has signed a patent agreement with HTC that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for HTC’s mobile phones running the Android mobile platform.

“HTC and Microsoft have a long history of technical and commercial collaboration, and today’s agreement is an example of how industry leaders can reach commercial arrangements that address intellectual property,” said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft. “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with HTC.”

HTC is currently under attack from various sources for patent infringement, but the highest profile case has been Apple’s attempt to block HTC from importing its phones into USA.  Most of Apple’s claims have been based on the Android software running in most of HTC’s devices.

While under the agreement Microsoft will receive royalty payments from HTC, the development would still appear , in an increasingly litigious market, to remove a major selling point from Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and Windows Phone OS.

Does Microsoft’s decision make sense to our readers? Let us know your thoughts below.

Via MSMobiles.com