Windows Mobile

Multi-threaded IM and Multiple Accounts

info@santry.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Kind of sounds like Trillian to me, but for the Pocket PC/Windows Mobile platform. MantraGroup Inc.has announced the availability of Causerie Messenger for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile Handhelds.

“Causerie Messenger, an easily configurable Instant Messaging solution complete with bots, skins and a fully customizable user interface, hits the market on March 19th. Allowing login to a maximum of six accounts, this versatile and powerful new messaging software allows login to two accounts of a same messenger type (Yahoo/MSN/AOL/ Jabber/ICQ) and receives messages while using other applications. roBots (Bots), powerful buddy agents which retrieve real time information like stock, weather, news, currency, traffic info, eBay auction information etc are also supported.”

Key Features:

Login access to messengers like Yahoo/MSN/AOL/Jabber/ICQ
Readily available roBots to get important information in a single tap (stocks, weather, traffic status, quotes, news, eBay, Google and many more)
Simultaneous login to six different messenger accounts and two accounts of the same IM type
User friendly yet simple view of buddy list (Tree View)
Multiple modes to view the buddy list (All/Online/Groups)
Ability to run the Causerie messenger in background while using other applications
Pre-defined message support: quick text messages
Support for emoticons
Customizable chat screen display/colors
Mail notifications/customizable alerts

http://www.mantragroup.com/

Krusell Case for T-Mobile Dash

info@santry.com — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

I purchased a Krusell Classic Case for my T-Mobile Dash (pictured). The case runs about $20 - $30 on the web and boasts a skin tight fit. After having the case for a day, it does have a skin tight fit, but there are some issues that could be improved. There is a hole on the bottom of the case to allow for plugging in the USB cable, but it does not align perfectly with the phone, and some manipulation of the case needs to be done in order to plug the cable in. The other holes on the case align perfectly (mic, buttons, camera), so I can let it slide since the USB cable isn't used constantly. The one other issue is the plastic coating over the entire face of the phone. You have to get used to pressing the buttons under the plastic, so far I haven't miss keyed, but I suspect someone who uses the phone to type a lot of text with the phone may find this undesirable since you lost the feel of the keys.
On the plus side it is more streamlined than the case that comes with the phone, and protection is probably the best you can find since you never take the phone out of the case and it is completely covered either in leather or plastic. I'll probably end up keeping the phone since I'm not a heavy typer with the phone, if I were then this case would be unacceptable.

Yahoo Go on Windows Mobile

info@santry.com — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Yahoo and HTC are teaming up to place Yahoo Go services on new Windows Mobile devices.

The deals allow Yahoo to give consumers one-click access to mobile phone services ranging from Web search, e-mail, maps and local information to Flickr photo-sharing, in a bid make the Web as easy to use on-the-go as it is sitting at a computer.

RSS Reader for Windows Mobile

info@santry.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

I received a copy of NewsBreak 2.0 from Ilium Software today. Being the blogger that I am, keeping up to date on the latest information is something I have to do. One thing I really like about NewsBreak is it works on my SmartPhone, and supports podcasts, and vidcasts. It looks like I have my new favorite reader for my Dash. Here are some of the improvements in the 2.0 version:

- Full support for audio, video, image, and attachment podcasts: Listen to your favorite podcasts, watch vidcasts, and view attached files and images
- Individual download criteria for each channel that supports podcasts: Schedule podcasts to download when and how you want them to
-Built-in support for Microsoft Live Search helps you find all the channels you're interested in
- Save podcasts for later use
- Schedule when and how to download podcasts separately from channel updates
- Choose the maximum memory usage for podcast storage
- Store podcasts in main memory or on a storage card
- Improved menus for one-handed navigation
- Set the maximum number of channels to save
- New keyword icons plus 6 additional icons and an updated appearance

And for a limited time, they're offering it for $7.95, at that price you can't help but buy it. You download a 30 day trial from their site:
http://www.iliumsoft.com/site/nw/nb_trial.htm

Windows Mobile 6 SDK Available

info@santry.com — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

My fellow developers Windows Mobile 6 SDK has been released. Yes, that's the Software Developer's Kit for non-developers out there. Now you can create amazing applications for the Windows Mobile 6 platform.
Learn more about what's in the SDK by reading this article.

My T-Mobile Dash Came Finally

info@santry.com — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

I started a new job this week as Microsoft Practice Lead for a large international consultancy, one of the great things about starting a new job is the new gadgets that go along with it. My new gadget is my phone, I used to be a Samsung i730 by Verizon, but it was getting old, and I hacked the heck out of it, so it was nice to get a new phone. The phone I opted for is the T-Mobile Dash. The Dash works much better than my i730 did, I thought I would miss going from a touch screen over to the SmartPhone format, but this phone made the switch pretty smooth. It is very easy to navigate the SmartPhone OS using the keys.

The form factor is pretty nice too, it kind of looks like a Blackberry phone, with a qwerty keyboard at the bottom of the phone for typing in my messages. Of course I still have Outlook for synchronizing with the corporate Exchange Server. The Mobile Office Suite is gone, but I really never used them. The phone comes with viewers for Office documents anyway.

A great feature is the support of A2DP for Bluetooth stereo audio streaming. I hooked up my Bluetake iPhones headphones up and I was enjoying my music without wires. The sound was great, and when a call came in, the music stopped, I could answer my phone through the headphones and talk away. Once the call was over, it automatically went back to streaming my music. If you had an i730 you know Verizon stripped this capability out of the i730 (you had to hack the i730 in order to get it, and it was spotty at best).

Another great item is T-Mobile will be coming out with a Windows Mobile 6 version of the Dash, I haven't heard confirmation of an upgrade for Windows Mobile 5 users, but we may see it since Microsoft is providing OEMs the upgrade for free.

Vista Gadgets on Windows Mobile

info@santry.com — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Here's a proof of concept, Vista gadgets running on Windows Mobile. Think about it, all those nice gadgets on your Windows sidebar running on your mobile device.

BitDefender Unveils Antivirus Solution for Smartphones and PDAs

info@santry.com — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Remember when viruses were unheard of on your Pocket PC? Not any longer, BitDefender has available a virus solution for your PDA and Smartphone.

All features of this new BitDefender security solution can be found on the BitDefender mobile portal site: www.bitdefender.mobi

"BitDefender Mobile Security offers mobile users a direct and effortless install and enables a virus shield at start-up with no user intervention required," said Carmen Maierean, BitDefender Mobile Product Manager. "Giving our mobile users the ability to run on-demand scans even inside archives it further enhances the protection status of their mobile devices and quickly establishes BitDefender Mobile Security as one of the most powerful mobile security solutions available."

BitDefender Mobile Security is available immediately for purchase from www.bitdefender.co.uk.

A 30-day evaluation version is also available for download. Anyone purchasing BitDefender Mobile Security before the 31st of March will receive a discount of 33%.

Get That Vista Look for your Phone

info@santry.com — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

JGUI has released a free Vista skin for your Windows Mobile. It even comes with the taskbar, and sidebar for that authentic Vista look.

The look is awesome, and free is always good.

SlingPlayer Mobile to be on Windows Mobile 6

info@santry.com — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

SlingCommunity.com is reporting that SlingPlayer Mobile will be coming to Windows Mobile 6. So folks upgrading can still view their favorite episode of Smallville.

EM ONE Coming to Japan

info@santry.com — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

It seems like UMPC-like Windows Mobile devices are all the craze nowadays. Leave it to Japan to get this nice EM ONE by Sharp.

This device has TV, high speed, 4.1" VGA screen, slide out keyboard, camera, and more. And the big feature is, it probably will never be available in the U.S., we can only hope.

Palm on Windows Mobile Thanks to Verizon and Treo

info@santry.com — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Verizon Wireless and Palm have announced the aviability of the Palm Treo for Verizon Wireless customers. Now you can have the applications that are unique to Palm on your Windows Mobile 5 phone.

The Treo 700wx smartphone combines broadband-like speeds on Verizon Wireless' high-speed network with wireless e-mail(1) and rich media capabilities all in one -- bringing Palm's world-class ease of use to the Windows Mobile platform. The Treo 700wx has a full QWERTY keyboard for easy messaging, a 1.3 megapixel camera, a bright 240 x 240 touch screen and support for Bluetooth(R) stereo headsets.(2) The built-in 64 MB of RAM allows the use of a more robust set of applications, while storage can be enhanced by using the SD slot to add memory cards of up to 2GB(2), which are great for storing data, photos, music and video.

The Palm Treo 700wx smartphone from Verizon Wireless is available now at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, Verizon Wireless business channels and online at http://www.verizonwireless.com/ for $399.99 after a $100 rebate and a new two-year customer agreement. Enterprise customers are encouraged to contact their Verizon Wireless Business Specialist at 800-VZW-4BIZ or http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

T-Mobile Dash To Be Upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6

info@santry.com — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

According to Gizmodo, they recently received a tip informing them that the T-Mobile Dash will be upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6. The update will be released in the spring of this year.

This is great news for me, I recently accepted a new position with another company and they use T-Mobile, so I'll be switching from Verizon and my i730 to T-Mobile. The i730 has been giving me problems constantly, it will be great having a new Windows Mobile device and a Dash.

PhatPad 4.1 Released

info@santry.com — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Phatware announced the release of their PhatPad 4.1 software. PhatPad is a notes organizer for the Windows Mobile, desktop, tablet, and UMPC platform.

PhatPad allows users to draw pictures, jot notes or put a mixture of pictures and typed text on a virtual scratch pad. The program uses new digital ink technology, which provides a very smooth ink flow, so it feels like writing on an actual piece of paper. While working with the note editor, PhatPad offers standard editing commands in addition to a customizable pen palette and variable pen width.

PhatPad 4.1 is available now at the list price of $39.95. A free 30-day trial version of PhatPad 4.1 can be downloaded from the PhatWare web site at http://www.phatware.com/phatpad.

ActiveSync 4.5 Released

info@santry.com — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Windows XP users now have an update for ActiveSync available for download.

More DRM from Microsoft

info@santry.com — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

I am a Redmond Fanboy, usually anything out of Redmond or in partnership with Redmond, I usually jump and buy one. But DRM whether it's from Microsoft or someone else, usually results in a groan of extreme pain.

Microsoft announced a new DRM called PlayReady that is aimed at mobile media. PlayReady is designed for subscription base content, rentals, pay-per-view, and other sorts of media and is backwards compatible with Windows DRM 10 so you can use your existing content.

PlayReady is expected to be out sometime during the first half of this year.

Agendus for Windows Mobile

info@santry.com — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Iambic has released Agendus for the Windows Mobile platform today. From the name you can guess it's an agenda, and contact management application. The application appears to be pretty full featured.

HTC Marketing - Athena Now Advantage

info@santry.com — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

HTC announced a branding change for what was previously known as the Athena. It is now known as the HTC Advantage Portable Office. You can visit the product page for more information. And for you lucky folks in Europe, you can enter to win one too.

Windows Mobile Update for DST

info@santry.com — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Congress went and changed daylight savings time on us this year, so Microsoft has released a patch for your Windows Mobile device to be able to adjust for it.

ASUS, BenQ Siemens, Gigabyte, HTC, Lenovo, Motorola, and Palm running Windows Mobile 6

info@santry.com — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Matthew Miller blogs about the new Windows Mobile 6 devices coming out this year from ASUS, BenQ Siemens, Gigabyte, HTC, Lenovo, Motorola, and Palm. Be sure to check out the image gallery for pics of the new devices.

Windows Mobile 6 SDKs Available

info@santry.com — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Want to develop applications for Windows Mobile? The images for the Windows Mobile SDKs have been posted to Microsoft's site. Even if you're not a developer you can use the emulator to get a feel for the new OS.

Microsoft Reveals New Windows Mobile 6

info@santry.com — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Microsoft Corp today unveiled Windows Mobile(R) 6, the newest version of its mobile software platform.

"A workforce that is both mobile and connected is becoming essential for business success," said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. "That's why we're integrating innovative mobile technologies into all our key products, with Windows Mobile as the centrepiece."

Windows Mobile 6 delivers the ability to view e-mails in their original rich HTML format with live links to web and SharePoint(R) sites, which means text and images are displayed as they would be on a PC, and are available from a corporate e-mail server such as Exchange Server 2007, from web-based accounts such as Windows Live(TM) Hotmail or from a myriad of other popular service providers. Windows Mobile 6 also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides customers with a rich set of Windows Live services.

Users of the Microsoft Office system on the PC - of which there are nearly 400 million worldwide - will feel right at home with the new mobile versions of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint available for Windows Mobile 6 powered devices. Windows Mobile 6 addresses extensive user feedback and makes information management easier and more convenient through the following improvements:

    
    - Better-looking e-mail. Users view e-mail the way it was intended with 
      its original pictures, tables and formatting, whether from a corporate 
      e-mail server such as Exchange Server 2007, web-based accounts such as 
      Windows Live Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail, or a wide range of other service 
      providers.

    - Ease of viewing and editing of Office system documents. The new Office 
      Mobile suite, built for all Windows Mobile powered devices, gives users 
      a truly familiar and powerful experience with rich viewing and editing 
      capabilities, without having to worry about the deletion of critical 
      formatting and images.

    - E-mail management and setup with fewer clicks. Nine new one-click 
      options have been added, including Reply All, setting a flag, moving a 
      message to a subfolder, and, of course, Delete. Users can set an 
      automatic out-of-office reply while on the road when using a Windows 
      Mobile 6 powered device and Exchange Server 2007. 

    - Synchronisation with Windows Vista. Windows Vista(TM) and the Windows 
      Mobile Device Center take the guesswork out of managing a device and 
      swapping music, pictures, movies and Outlook information between PC and 
      the device. 

    - Smart calendar bar. This innovative new feature gives users the ability 
      to understand at a glance the day or week ahead and quickly determine 
      open time on their schedules. With Exchange Server 2007, they can see 
      who is attending a meeting and forward or reply to meeting requests.

    - Web search, e-mail, instant messaging (IM) and weblogging all together. 
      Windows Live for Windows Mobile will provide customers with a rich set 
      of services including Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, 
      Live Search and Windows Live Spaces, uniquely designed to work with 
      Windows Mobile software. Users can also find all their contacts in one 
      unified list and see presence information on their Windows Live 
      Messenger contacts.  

    - Contacts with context. Call history is now placed where it belongs, in 
      each individual contact card, so people spend less time searching and 
      more time communicating.

Windows Mobile 6 Set to Debut

info@santry.com — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Microsoft plans to release Windows Mobile 6 on Monday at the 3GSM Conference in Barcelona.

As mentioned previously here at RedmondGadgets.com, Windows Mobile 6 is set to undergo a name change and have some new features, namely integration with Windows Live for email and Messaging.

Malware Protection for Windows Mobile

info@santry.com — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Sophos, today announced the availability of Sophos Mobile Security to protect organizations against the growing number of malware attacks aimed at Windows Mobile.

Sophos Mobile Security protects devices against malware infection via MMS, SMS, email, instant messaging, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, ensuring business communications are kept secure. Easy to install and configure, it offers on- access, on-demand or scheduled scanning and detects and quarantines any mobile viruses or spyware with minimal impact on device performance. Central policies can be created and deployed to ensure consistent company-wide security.

We can all sleep better now knowing that our phones are safer.

A Face-lift for Your Windows Mobile Device

info@santry.com — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

How about a new look for your Windows Mobile device? Spb released Spb Mobile Shell which is a completely new look for your Windows Mobile device. The software is designed for ROM and targeted for OEMs to place on their phones before going out to the customer.

The key features include:

* The most relevant information is displayed on one screen
* Phone style menu
* Weather forecasts
* Photo speed dial
* World time
* Launcher
* Big dynamic tabs on Today
* Color based themes
* Smart contact search
* Auto-hide mode for Today plug-ins

Pricing is $29.95 and available at http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/mobileshell/

You can view a complete review of the software at AximSite.com.