Category: Software

MobilityMinded has published part 2 of their review of the LG eXpo, this time showing the user interface.

See after the break for a short 2 minute addendum to their review.

Read more at MobilityMinded here.

MuchOnDemand is an hour-long Canadian MTV-like music show, and they have just released a Windows Mobile-based application for interacting with their audience.  The application allows one to see photo galleries of guests, upcoming guests, and and vote for the top 5 music videos by twitter, which is a feature of the show. Disappointingly the software does not allow one to actually view the videos, but the photo galleries does make use of the built-in viewing software, allowing pinch and zooming for example on the HD2.

The software is currently being promoted in conjunction with Microsoft, with viewers being able to win a Mitsubishi Lancer SE by finding and submitting clues from the show.

Read more about the contest and find the app here.

HTC’s support staff have clearly not gone home for Christmas yet.  They have released two hotfixes, one for the HTC Touch Diamond 2  and HTC Touch Pro 2 which brings back hand writing recognition to these devices for users who prefer their graffiti to the hard and soft QWERTY keyboards 

Update for HTC Touch Pro2 Handwriting

Release Date: 2009-12-17

This update for HTC Touch Pro2 lets you write the way you want to. Now in addition to the full QWERTY keypad, simulating a full physical keyboard experience, HTC Touch Pro2 now offers handwriting recognition to give you more flexibility in your messaging to send messages to your loved ones.

Update for HTC Touch Diamond2 Handwriting

Release Date: 2009-12-17

This update for HTC Touch Diamond2 lets you write the way you want to. Now in addition to the full QWERTY keypad, simulating a full physical keyboard experience, HTC Touch Diamond2 now offers handwriting recognition to give you more flexibility to send messages to your loved ones.

The last one, wrapped in HTC’s flowery language, seems to address a HTC HD2 issue where the camera can not write pictures to more than 8GB of a 16 GB memory card.

Update for HTC HD2 SD Card Storage Capacity

Release Date: 2009-12-18

This update for HTC HD2 further extends support of the SD Storage Capability. Taking pictures with your 5 Megapixel lens and dual LED flash can only truly be appreciated at the maximum quality, and now with this update, you will be able to appreciate how much more you can store in your 8GB or more SD Card.

Read more about the updates at the links provided above.

According to an unsourced article at Pocketnow, Microsoft is now claiming more than 800 applications in Marketplace. Due to the nature of the localized markets, these applications are not all available in one market, with the US market likely being the largest at 400 odd apps.

We are still expecting an update which will not unify Marketplace, but will provide access to markets outside our own home country. The biggest issue with Marketplace, besides the lack of applications, still appear that applications can only be installed to internal memory, a big issue for older devices and also HTC’s latest, the HTC HD2, which ships with less than 130 MB free for applications.

In general, I am relatively happy with Marketplace, with most new applications coming to Windows Mobile being released via that route.  We would likely benefit from seeing more legacy applications being transferred there, especially games and utilities but I am already discovering applications there which I did not know even existed.

How is Marketplace treating you?  Let us know in the comments below.

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Kaspersky has uncovered a new Windows Mobile trojan which is a bit more sophisticated than the run of the mill SMS diallers found in the wild.

The malware, dubbed Trojan-SMS.WinCE.Sejweek.a, which is commonly found associated with pirated software, downloads an XML file from a website which contains the numbers of premium rate SMS numbers and the frequency at which the expensive ($1 per message) SMS messages will be sent. Due to the variety of SMS numbers being sent to it is less easy to block the money making part of the scheme, making the trojan’s utility that much longer lived.

Read more about the malware at Viruslist.com here, but bear in mind the software is not self-propagating, and requires the installation of untrusted software, which would commonly be found on forums or warez sites.  The solution is therefore simply to support our developers and only install software from trusted sources.

Thanks Anders for the tip.

IPS Mobile introduces Task 1001, a finger-friendly Task/To-Do manager for Windows Phone. Task 1001 is inspired by the “Getting Things Done” method and builds up on the standard Windows Phone task system.

The Getting Things Done method is based on the principle that by recording tasks a person does not have to keep thinking about these tasks. While an agenda is ideal for recording things that have to be done on a fixed date, like a meeting or appointment, a Task/To-Do manager is ideal for recording things that are not related to a fixed date.

Task 1001 enables the user to record all outlook task/to-do information like the subject and category of a task, and also a link to a document/file, application or website that is associated with a task.

IPS Mobile owner Gerben Verwaaijen: “To save time the user can open a document/file, website or application directly from the task list. To keep the task list clean, completed tasks are automatically filtered out of the task list.” The application has a finger-friendly, easy controllable user interface and synchronizes automatically with Pocket Outlook. “Customers want an interface that can be controlled by their thumb and fits the stylish user interface of their Windows Phone. We designed an application that is easy to use and is a complement to the agenda on their phone.”

The Task 1001 full version and a 14-day trial version can be found in the productivity category on Windows Marketplace for Mobile in the English (USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland) and Dutch (Netherlands and Belgium) markets. The full version costs a very reasonable $8.99.

Read more at IPS Mobile here.

Many of us use drag and drop to manage our media on our smartphones.  Dazzboard aims to go one better, by providing a browser-based user interface for your drag and drop media.

Dazzboard runs on your browser and works with any device which supports USB Mass Storage mode. Once you’re set up, you’ll be able to view and manage all of your phone’s content on the Dazzboard homepage. You can also transfer files from your PC to your phone, including your entire iTunes library.

Dazzboard also lets you download content to your phone from your other social networking sites like Facebook, Flickr and YouTube with the "Dazz me!" bookmarklet.

Dazzboard also has an interesting user discovery aspect: Videos, music and photos from other sources appear on the site. You can then grab this content, place it in a transfer queue (which appears on your Dazzboard page) and then transfer it to your phone. This include media such as Youtube videos.

Without an easy to use media source such as iTunes an application such as Dazzboard makes a lot of sense, and makes a break from many other synchronization products that try to do too much.

Read more at Dazzboard here.

Via PCWorld.com

Waze, the first free provider of driver-generated maps and real-time road information, today announced a new holiday version of its free navigation app to include holiday-themed ‘road goodies’, a treasure hunt contest, integration with foursquare, as well as multi-language support.

Waze recently added ‘road goodies’ – small icons worth bonus points – to the map in areas where the waze system has identified map problems. As users drive around to munch these ‘goodies’, the system analyzes the driver’s GPS data to automatically solve the identified problems, improving map quality, and therefore navigation, for all drivers in that area. The holiday version features wintery, new ‘road goodies’ including snowflakes, candy canes and small gift packages, scattered all over the map.

Waze’s holiday version also announces the ‘Holiday Treasure Hunt’, featuring treasure chests that, when driven over, have the potential to reward users with anything from bonus points to valuable real-world prizes. From December 17, 2009 to January 1, 2010, users, worldwide, should start looking for treasure chests along their daily commute for their chance to win. More details can be found on the waze blog.

Taking the gaming aspect of waze even further, this version also features an integration with Foursquare, a new location-based geo-gaming app with a lot of buzz. Users of both apps can now ‘check in’ to various locations on Foursquare via the waze client – a feature that’s sure to become very popular – and even earn a waze ‘roadwarrior’ badge.

In addition the elements mentioned above, waze’s holiday version also introduces a new capability allowing for quick translation and availability of waze in any language. The version includes Spanish and Italian support, both on the client interface as well as the audio navigation prompts. These translations were fully undertaken by waze community members, and any other users who’d like to help translate waze into their language are invited to the waze wiki (www.waze.com/wiki) for more information on how to do so.

“There’s a lot of fun to be had on waze this holiday season,” says Noam Bardin, waze’s CEO. “In addition to the holiday-themed ‘road goodies’ and treasure hunt contest, we’re very enthusiastic about our collaboration with Foursquare. Individually, waze and Fourquare are taking geo-gaming to the next level, and, combined together, we’re positive that our users will be able to experience both apps in exciting new ways.”

The Windows Mobile Marketplace has been developing only slowly over the last few months, with much controversy engendered during the same period. Issues have included limited selection in many markets, poor anti-piracy features and high prices.

We have decided to ask a developer prominent in the market how their experience has been of this new application sales channel.  Panoramic software with their moTweets and many other applications has seemed almost unavoidable in Marketplace, with their software showing up in many categories and even in the featured software bar.

Below is the questions and answers we kindly received from Patrick Abadi, head of Panoramic Software.

1) How many applications do you have in marketplace.We currently have 15 different products on the Marketplace spanning 126 different markets with more on the way. 2) How have your sales been comparing marketplace to your other channels.The Marketplace has become a reliable sales channel and has allowed us to reach customers that are not comfortable purchasing software through their PC.  It is too soon to draw any comparisons between the marketplace and other sales channels. 3) Your application MoTweets has been a featured application for some time now.  Has this boosted sales, and have you needed to do anything special to achieve this status? We feel that being in the showcase has improved sales for our featured products. Microsoft selects the applications to be featured and we’re honoured to have been selected but had no direct part in the selection process. 4) How large, in terms of devices, so you believe marketplace is at present? Unfortunately we have no way of making any sort of reasonable estimate. 5) Do you have any specific concerns regarding piracy and marketplace? We have our own copy protection methods that work across all sales channels so piracy is not a primary concern for us. 6) Are you happy with Marketplace as it is, or is there any specific issues you wish Microsoft would address. Obviously with something as complex as the Marketplace there will be issues that need to be addressed and changes made. We feel Microsoft has done a good job addressing these issues so far based on the changes we’ve seen to date. 7) Do you have any advice to other developers considering developing for Marketplace. Take the time to read the submission guidelines and thoroughly test your applications to ensure you pass testing the first time.  If there is any conclusions we can draw from Patrick’s response is that Marketplace is still pretty young.  The developer fees that many have complained about does not seem to have deterred Panoramic Software from getting their inventory in the marketplace, and also to make their applications available in many territories, and also of note is that Panoramic Software seems to have managed to include anti-piracy features beyond what Microsoft puts in place, something we had not known was possible. In general however Panoramic appears to be happy, if not ecstatic, which will hopefully encourage other developers to jump in also. Thank you to Panoramic for participating in our survey. You can see Panoramic Software’s catalogue here, and of course find them in Marketplace.

Today we have number 8 of Michael Gannotti’s top 10 Windows Mobile applications, being published on the Windows blog.

Number 8 is Microsoft’s My Phone service, which of course is the Windows Mobile automated backup and cloud service.  Cant say I disagree with him – My Phone is just great and can be found in the Windows Mobile Marketplace.

Michael is a Technology Specialist for the Microsoft Corporation and the author of the blog SocialMedia Talk.

Follow the series at the Windows Blog here.

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) fills players’ virtual stockings with holiday cheer this holiday season with in-game activities and festive events in its online video games. This December, EverQuest, EverQuest II and Free Realms players will enjoy celebrations filled with themed events, special quests and seasonal treats. Pirates of the Burning Sea will be celebrating Junkanoo, Wookiee Life Day returns to Star Wars Galaxies, and in Vanguard Saga of Heroes the annual Festival of Gloriann has arrived.

In-game events are as follows:

EverQuest: The annual Frostfell event runs from Dec. 10, to Jan. 7 in EverQuest. In the Plane of Knowledge, the Frostfell celebrations have been spoiled by a state of thievery, and it is up to the players to save the celebration. Many families have been awakened by ruffians and monsters breaking into their homes and carrying off presents intended for the children of the Realm. Players are needed to help track down the monsters that committed these crimes and return the missing presents. Players should also visit the Marketplace to check out the all the new Frostfell items.

EverQuest II: Frostfell, the Norrathian festival of kinship and giving, has returned to EverQuest II. Players can join in the celebration scheduled from Dec. 10, to Jan. 7. Gardy, the ex-giftgiving Frostfell elf, is offering a new quest. Santa Glug has several brand new gifts to give out to one and all. The merchants in the Frostfell Wonderland Village have new holiday goodies for purchase and tradeskillers can make several brand new items. Players should also be aware that this year, fruitcake really is the gift that keeps on giving! Hitting a friend with a throwable fruitcake will spawn one in their inventory for them to throw back.

Legends of Norrath: From Dec. 18 to Jan. 4, Legends of Norrath is offering a Holiday Bundle pack including 25 booster packs of the Travelers expansion. Each bundle pack will contain one of four mounts from the retired Oathbound expansion. Players will receive an EverQuest or EverQuest II mount depending upon their settings in the Legends of Norrath client. Legends of Norrath also offers players a second way to celebrate this holiday season with on-demand tournaments. Eight players can start a tournament at anytime between Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. PST and Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. PST. For just five Event Passes, players gain entry into the Holiday tournament and a special Sleigh-ers Stash pack!

Free Realms (check out their cool blog): Snow Days, the Free Realms winter holiday celebration, has transformed Snowhill into a winter wonderland filled with food, fun, and, of course, presents! Snow Days is scheduled to begin on Dec. 16 and conclude on Jan. 21. Players can visit Candi Ivy near the Gifting Tree in Snowhill to help protect the presents from a wicked gang of Robgoblins and the abominable snowmen. Those who follow the holiday quest line might just get a chance to try all of her neat holiday sweets. Pelt friends with snowballs from behind the ice barriers in the Snowhill snowball fighting area. The Free Realms Trading Card Game is offering a special Holiday Bundle pack which will include ten booster packs of the Shattered Past expansion, a Duelist on Demand Print Voucher and an exclusive holiday item redeemable within Free Realms! The Holiday Bundle pack is slated to be available Dec. 23 through Jan. 3. Players can also check out the Marketplace for new holiday clothes, costumes and items!

Pirates of the Burning Sea: Junkanoo is the holiday of choice in these waters, and there is much revelry to be had! Players can carol door to door and exchange gifts in a quest to unlock the festive holiday hat and title. Users who complete the new holiday mission to protect Junkanoo from shadowy forces or join King John Konnu in re-enacting the siege of the Bradenburg Fort, will receive a rat shoulder pet as a reward.

Star Wars Galaxies: Wookiee Life Day returns to Star Wars Galaxies this year with fun holiday activities, new rewards and a new badge that are sure to lift your holiday spirits to galactic proportions! The festivities begin December 15th, and conclude on January 12th in the cities of Dearic, Wayfar and Doaba Guerfel. Players can sign up for the seasonal festivities by visiting the Trandoshan Traders or the Wookiee Freedom Fighters. By spreading holiday cheer or fear, players will receive Life Day Tokens to redeem for gifts when they visit the Wroshyr Tree. Get ready to munch Wookiee Ookiees, drink some eggnog and open gifts including a new holiday ornament for your house! In the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, look for on-demand tournaments in celebration of Life Day. Eight players can start a tournament at anytime between Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. PST and Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. PST. For just five Event Passes, players get entry into the Holiday tournament and a Life Day pack!

Vanguard Saga of Heroes: The Festival of Gloriann returns to the world of Telon this holiday season. Once a year during the wintery months, towering trees adorned with lights can be seen glittering within the cities of Telon. Players can cover their homes and Guild Halls with special festive decorations, try on their new illusion costume or view the rooftops of Telon from the back of Randolph, the flying reindeer mount. Get ready to reach new heights this year with the citizens of Telon as we celebrate together the Festival of Gloriann!

The official Zune twitter channel has announced the imminent arrival of the ZuneHD twitter application. The ZuneHD’s app catalogue has been slowly filling out, but of course the device is still primarily a media player.

It does serve as a reminder however that while Windows Mobile does have an official Facebook client, Microsoft has for some reason seen fit to rather serve the small minority of their device users, rather than the larger Windows Mobile community.  Hopefully this is an issue they will address in the near future.

Via Mobiletechworld.com

I have always felt Samsung has taken the smartphone battle a bit more seriously than even Microsoft, as can been in their serious commitment to developers, their various music and video stores, and of course their App store.

Samsung has now created a desktop client for their mobile phones that aims to take over where Windows Mobile Device Centre left off, providing photo, music and video synching, and also calendar and contacts.  Best of all however is their desktop application store, which seems much fuller than the Windows Mobile Marketplace at the moment and provides a great user experience.

The video above from 1800pocketpc.com shows the application in action.  The software only works with Samsung devices unfortunately, and the application store is only available in select markets, but if Samsung continues down this route they can guarantee keeping their Windows Mobile handsets competitive in this very crowded market, at least until Microsoft gets their thing together.

The download is available at Samsungapps.com here

Read more at 1800pocketpc here.

An industrious Italian Argentinian hacker named Rodrigofd over at MoDaCo using ginkage’s OpenGl v1 wrapper library has been working on porting the HTC HD2 ROM to the Samsung Omnia 2, and seems to have nearly perfected the process.

The above video shows his work in action and seems about 90% feature complete, and combine the best of Samsung and HTC’s work.

Read more at Hdblog.it here.

Thanks Giuseppe for the tip.

Today we have number 9 of Michael Gannotti’s top 10 Windows Mobile applications, being published on the Windows blog.

Number 9 is the AP Mobile App which allows him to keep up to date with the latest news from around the world in one convenient application. The AP Mobile App is available as a download on the Windows Mobile Marketplace.

Michael is a Technology Specialist for the Microsoft Corporation and the author of the blog SocialMedia Talk.

Follow the series at the Windows Blog here.