Gizmodo: wm6

Windows Mobile My Phone Impressions - It's a Fancy Backup Service

Jason Chen — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:30:00 EST

Windows Mobile fans hoping that Microsoft's My Phone over-the-air syncing service was going to be Mobile Me for WinMo can put those thoughts away. It's basically just a fancy backup service. But it works!

Setup on a Windows Mobile 6.1 phone (AT&T Tilt) was easy. Just download and install the package from the phone and you can pretty much start syncing from there.

The good news is, sync fairly well for the most part. Contacts, calendar and tasks are synced fine, but so are your text messages, your photos, your videos, music and documents—provided they're all under the 200MB cap. Contacts, calendar, and tasks are two-way, meaning you can create entries right on the web page. Photos, videos, music and docs are upload-able too, which makes this an easy way to transfer files onto your device OTA. Any inconsistencies (a calendar entry created on the phone went to the web fine, but one made on the web wouldn't sync to the phone) can most likely be attributed to this being a beta.

The downside is that this is (by default) only really useful for backing up your phone once a day. You can only schedule your phone to back up once a day or once a week or manually. It's definitely not push and it's definitely not meant to be. This is used for making sure your contacts and other phone data are always backed up, so you won't lose everything in case someone swipes your com.

One good use for this would be to sync multiple phones to the same data. You can attach more than one device to an account, so if you switch between work and home devices—or if you lose a phone—you can just sync up your data again. It's not live-updating push synchronization into the cloud, but it is a fairly good backup solution. [My Phone]

Toshiba TG01 Windows Mobile Smartphone In Action, Looks Even Better

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:20:00 EST

"Sleek, elegant design," says the official video of the Toshiba TG01 smartphone. And it's true. But their interface demo also shows why it may be the best Windows Mobile weapon against Android, iPhone, and Blackberry.

As you can see, Toshiba not only has created a slim 9.9mm-thick smartphone with a generous 4.1-inch screen, but they seem to have redesigned the user interface completely to avoid the dreadful Windows Mobile's user interface too.

Of course, this is a canned demo and we will have to wait until we have it in our hands to see if the changes are just on the first level or deep into the user experience. [Pocket Lint]

SkyMarket: Windows Mobile's App Store

Brian Lam — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:46:15 EDT

Windows Mobile's been around the block a few (6.1?) times, so there are endless lists of apps for it. What the phone OS doesn't have is a universal place where users can buy and download programs. This job listing, which Long Zheng of Istartedsomething.com wrote about, reveals Skymarket, Microsoft's solution to this problem. The marketplace is set to launch with Windows Mobile 7. [Istartedsomething]

Motorola Alexander Cellphone Spy Shot: It Doesn't Look Like a Savior

Sean Fallon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:19:00 EDT

It has been a few months since we first heard about the upcoming "Alexander" phone from Motorola—a release that was considered a do-or-die for the company. BGR has managed to snag a spy shot of the phone that clearly shows a Windows Mobile platform running (listed at 6.1 but may be 7) as opposed to UIQ and what appears to be a vertical sliding QWERTY. It's still slated for a Q4 release, but I don't see it bringing Moto back from the brink or anything. [BGR]

HTC Touch Diamond Shows Up on FCC With US 3G Specs

Jason Chen — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:19:00 EDT

Like the sun rising or your prostate swelling to grapefruit sizes, the HTC Touch Diamond showing up on the FCC site was an inevitability. It's not like we didn't know it was coming, but seeing for ourselves that it exists and has the proper US-based 3G HSDPA capabilities is always good. Now all that's left is to wait for someone to release it for realsies. If you've already got an imported Touch Diamond, you can add 850MHz support to it via a software update. [FCC via Engadget]

Video of the Samsung Omnia i900 UI in Action

Sean Fallon — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:40:00 EDT

If you were thinking about picking up the new Samsung Omnia SGI-1900 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, a little video demonstration of the touchscreen UI could go a long way in helping you arrive at a decision. All-in-all things look great, just don't be surprised if you fall asleep watching the following video. Not because the UI is boring mind you, but the music has that single mom reunited with her child Oxygen movie of the week vibe to it.

[PPCSG via Slashphone]

Zumobi Browser for WM5, WM6 Updated: Users Can Add Their Own Content

Sean Fallon — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:40:00 EDT

Earlier this year I put the Zumobi browser for Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices through its paces and determined that it had some novelty value, but it was clear that there were shortcomings that needed to be overcome before it had any chance of attracting a serious audience. The folks behind the project have taken a step towards that end by updating their software to allow users to customize and create their own tiles from RSS feeds. They have also made it possible to select and upload Tiles directly from your phone.

These updates help to overcome the lack of content and control that plagued the earlier release. They have also streamlined the application to make downloads faster—another major sticking point. The download is free, so it is worth a shot regardless—but if you tried it before and were put off, it may be worth revisiting. [Zumobi]

Pantech Duo 2 Dual-Sliding Windows Mobile Phone Leaked on FCC

Jason Chen — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Seeing as the original AT&T Pantech Duo 1 is the C810, this C820 has a really high possibility of being the Pantech Duo 2. There aren't many details, but it's got WCDMA 850/1900, which is AT&T's 3G, and probably will run Windows Mobile like the previous ones. It's interesting to check out the differences between this and the Ocean 2, which also popped up on the FCC a few weeks back if you're into looking at FCC drawings. [FCC]

Rumor: MWg to Launch Windows Mobile 7 Device This Year

Wilson Rothman — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:29:47 EDT

One fun rumor bopping around the phone sites is that MWg, the smartphone maker previously known as O2 Asia, will be rolling out a Windows Mobile 7 phone in the fourth quarter of 2008, specifically the Flame II shown above. That's about a year earlier than we last heard. Everyone sounds skeptical, but you never know, the timeline could have been Boy Genius, or to see the whole MWg presentation, have a accelerated because WM6 isn't exactly a crowd pleaser. If you want a more complete roadmap, check out Boy Genius; for the original video presentation from MWg, look at MoDaCo. Either way, take it with a grain or two of salt. [MoDaCo via BGR]

Hands-on With Windows Mobile Skyfire Browser Beta 0.6

Jason Chen — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Skyfire just got its 0.6 update, bring with it a few more features (listed after the jump) and a bit of compatibility increase that makes it feel more like a real browser than it was even when we saw it at CTIA. The overall idea is the same: Skyfire servers render pages into image form, which then makes it onto your Windows Mobile phone over an internet connection. On our Sprint HTC Mogul, Gizmodo loaded pretty damn fast over EV-DO, and features like Flash actually seemed to work well.

Because the page is like an image, you can pan and scroll around fast and easily, but zooming in and out is a bit clunkier. Typing in a text field requires you to type something on Skyfire's text input, then sending that to Skyfire, then sending the resulting image back to your phone.

Although it touts Flash video, support, watching YouTube videos is still more like a fast slideshow than an actual video—though most of the video quality depends on your connection type and speed. It's no iPhone Safari browser—and probably will never be because of the fact that rendering is done off-phone—but it's a reasonably close approximation for now.

* Multi-line text entry (2,000 character limit)
* Auto-complete text entry
* Paste into URL or search
* Ability to delete bookmarks
* Multiple zoom modes for touch screen phones
* Double tap to Zoom In and Zoom Out
* Support for custom virtual keyboards (SIP)
* Web search shortcut in softkey menu
* Access to the Windows Mobile Taskbar in softkey menu
* Persistent settings for SmartFit, Mute and Zoom size
* Support for 12-key and ½ QWERTY devices
* Password masking
* Backlight usage based on system settings
* OK button sends Skyfire to the background

[Skyfire]

Giga-Byte GSmart Windows Mobile Phones Have a Fancy Smart Touch UI

Jason Chen — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:20:00 EDT

It took a year for Giga-Byte to follow in HTC's footsteps, but the upcoming GSmart Windows Mobile smartphones will have a brand new UI on top of the standard WinMo affair. The interface is called "Smart Touch," and will be more finger-friendly—more oriented toward gestures and finger-navigation—lending itself to launching your commonly used programs directly from the home screen. The Chinese version of this has been available since April, but suffers from some incompatibility issues that most likely won't be in the European release version coming sometime after May. [The Unwired via Into Mobile]

HTC Launching Most Important Product of the Year Next Month

Jason Chen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:40:52 EDT

The Taipei times quotes HTC's own financial executive Cheng Hui-ming at an investor's conference as saying they will launch "the most important product for HTC this year" at an event on May 6. Cheng wasn't too forthcoming with details, but it seems like it's going to be a "Touch" phone—as in one of the HTC Touch models—and be called the "Diamond". He says that it's going to be so good, he's "confident of landing orders from most major carriers," but warned about possible delays because they haven't gotten certification for the phone yet. Sounds very interesting. Could it be this phone? [Taipei Times via Engadget]

TouchBrowser Brings iPhone Finger-Flicking Browsing to Windows Mobile

Jason Chen — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:20:00 EDT

Desktop-like browsing is already headed to Windows Mobile in version 6.1, but can you use your finger with it? Like on the iPhone? Not exactly. For that, you'll have to install TouchBrowser. Along with being able to pan around a page to get your Britney Spears news with your finger, there's even a proprietary onscreen keyboard that takes up almost the entire display. Would you pay $14.95 for this? Only if you're building the world's lamest iPhone replica on your HTC Touch. [Makayama]

World's First Dual-SIM WIndows Mobile Phone Keeps Girlfriends and Wives Separate

Jason Chen — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Dual-SIM phones that let you have your phone be simultaneously on two GSM networks are nothing new, but until now they've been on regular phones. This makes no sense. Who needs two phones? Businessmen. And businessmen need phones that scream "I AM A BUSINESSMAN!" Few do that better than Windows Mobile, and these W1000 and G1000 Windows Mobile phones from HKC accomplish the job quite nicely.

The two models differ mostly in the fact that the W1000 is CDMA and GSM while the G1000 is dual GSM. Other than this, they both have a 200MHz CPU, 256MB RAM, a 2.8-inch touchscreen and Windows Mobile 6. It's available right now in Asia, but it'll take a bit of finagling to get one for yourself here. [Unwired View via Slashphone]

HTC Touch Dual Set to Make Its Debut in the U.S.

Sean Fallon — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:50:00 EDT

The HTC Touch Dual has been available in Europe for some time now, but a recent announcement has revealed that it will be sliding its way to the states sometime during this quarter. No pricing has been announced, but if you want to get your hands on one, Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile is where its at. Full details available in the press release after the jump.

Debuting in the United States, the HTC Touch Dual Incorporates an Intuitive Touch Screen, Slide-Out Keypad and Windows Mobile 6.1 Software
HTC offers customers an enhanced mobile experience through the introduction of Windows Mobile 6.1 software updates for a variety of HTC devices.

LAS VEGAS — April 1, 2008 — HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; "HTC"), a global leader in smartphone design and manufacturing, revealed that the popular HTC Touch Dual™ will debut in the United States this quarter. Announced today at the Cellular Telecommunication and Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless 2008 spring conference, the HTC Touch Dual™ combines an intuitive touch screen with integrated TouchFLO™ technology and slide-out keypad and Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional software, making it easier for customers to communicate on the go.

"HTC has witnessed incredible support and demand for the Touch product portfolio, and we are pleased to provide our customers with the opportunity to experience additional iterations of the Touch product family," said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. "The Touch Dual will be among the first devices in the United States to run Windows Mobile 6.1 and will be followed by a range of 6.1 updates for several other HTC products."

Software Upgrades Available on HTC Devices

In partnership with Microsoft and key mobile operator partners, HTC will continue to extend the functionality of many current HTC devices both in the United States and abroad by providing Windows Mobile 6.1 updates. Windows Mobile 6.1, an update to Windows Mobile 6, provides new timesaving features, easier phone navigation and management, stronger security safeguards, and support for Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008. Some of HTC's most popular smartphones including the Touch by HTC and Mogul by HTC from Sprint, AT&T Tilt, Alltel Wireless' HTC Touch and PPC6800, and the HTC TyTN II, will be among the first of many devices available for a Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade.

Supporting existing customers and enhancing their experiences continues to be a focus for HTC; Sprint and HTC recently provided an update for the popular Mogul by HTC, making it the industry's first EV-DO Rev. A-capable handset while also enabling additional GPS functionality.

"Windows Mobile enhances people's lives by providing them with an experience that keeps them close to what's important to them — anywhere, anytime," said John O'Rourke, general manager of the Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft. "HTC has a history of providing a great selection of popular Windows Mobile phones, and we are pleased to bring the latest in software to a range of its products around the world."

HTC Touch Dual Availability and Features

Best Buy will be the first to offer the HTC Touch Dual, which will be available through select Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile retail outlets, online at BestBuy.com and htc.com.

"At Best Buy we are committed to providing customers with a wide selection of high quality handsets," said David Ryan, director of merchandising, Best Buy Mobile. "We look forward to adding the innovative HTC Touch Dual to our current lineup of unlocked phones."

Taking user control to a whole new level, the HTC Touch Dual combines an intuitive touch screen and keypad within a stunning design. The versatile device offers an interactive cube interface for quick and easy navigation to e-mails, text messages, calendar appointments and contacts. Features include the following:

• TouchFLO™, a touch-screen technology that allows finger-touch scrolling, panning and photo zooming

• Slide-out 20-key keyboard for quick dialing, text messages and e-mail

• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

• Microsoft Office Mobile for working on documents and getting your Outlook e-mail

• Live HTC Home™ featuring time and weather display, quick launcher, and one-touch ring-tone settings

• 2 megapixel camera for shooting photos/videos and a second camera for video calls

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) and HSDPA (850/1900Mhz) connectivity

Hi Ho Silverlight? Microsoft Windows Mobile Gets PDF and Flash Friendly

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:22:10 EDT

Microsoft just signed a deal to license Adobe's Flash Lite and Reader PDF formats for Windows Mobile. There's no word yet on when this will appear in the operating system itself, but it's a nice show of openness. It also means two things:
1) Microsoft's Flash competitor, Silverlight, may not be cutting the mustard, and this is no way to spur developers.
2) Steve Jobs' allegation that Flash Lite isn't good enough for the iPhone might hold less water, though few would disagree that iPhone quality standards are higher than Windows Mobile's. [InfoWorld]

MSN Direct Weather, News and Stocks Comes to Windows Mobile

Jason Chen — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:25:06 EST

MSN Direct's weather, news, stocks, and entertainment info have been available on MSN Spot devices for a while now, but have been surprisingly missing from Microsoft's own cellphone devices. Not anymore. You can get now up-to-date info right on your Windows Mobile home screen direct from whatever data connection you have (Wi-Fi, 3G, EDGE). Best of all, it's free, which means that MSN Direct might be moving more towards a software service on already-connected devices, which in turn means that it might even expand to non Windows Mobile phones in the future? [MSNDirect]

Toshiba G810 Windows Mobile Smartphone Looks Like the HTC Touch

Jason Chen — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:35:46 EST

Toshiba's no stranger to Windows Mobile devices, but their latest G810 touchscreen handset looks more similar to the HTC Touch than their previous HTC-like phones. It's got Windows Mobile 6 on board, 3g HSDPA, 3-megapixel camera with auto-focus, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM radio 2.8-inch touchscreen display, 256MB internal memory, GPS, and a late Spring European launch. It's got enough features to be a good phone, but it's nothing revolutionary. [Toshiba Europe via Tech Digest via The Unwired]

Samsung's Flagship i900 Windows Mobile Phone Leaked in Color

Jason Chen — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:15:08 EST

The first leak of Samsung's supposed flagship Windows Mobile phone was leaked a few weeks ago in black and white, but this time we've got a picture in color of what the touchscreen device is going to look like.

Besides being shiny and slightly squished in the horizontal, the phone will have GPS, FM radio, TV-out, a 5-megapixel camera, 8GB microSDHC support, Wi-fi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, 3G HSDPA (up to 7.2Mbps?) run Windows Mobile 6.1 and have a 3.5-inch touchscreen. Until the i900 is officially announced this is all up in the air and completely rumor, but MobiFrance says the phone will be released Spetember 2008. [MobiFrance via The Unwired via Crunchgear]

Oh? Now it looks like Phonemag is saying the i900 won't be running Windows Mobile. [Phonemag ]

More Treo 800w Details Possibly Leaked

Jason Chen — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:20:56 EST

There's been a slow trickle of details on the upcoming Treo 800w, but this poster on WMExpert's forums seems to know a little more than everyone else about the phone. He says the 800w will look like a Palm Centro with rounded corners and thin body. It will ship with Windows Mobile 6, but be upgradeable to 6.1 when that hits.

In addition, there's a 2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi hard switch, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 802.11g Wi-Fi, microSD slot, 256MB memory, EV-DO Rev. A, aGPS (not a real GPS), a 320x320 resolution screen, and front-facing keyboard. The launch date is tentatively April, but this is all based on a guy's posting in a forum, which means it can all be a pack of lies at this point. [WMExperts via TreoNauts]