April 1, and Windows Mobile
The past week was busy for it rather than the general craziness on April 1, CTIA Wireless 2008, Intel Developer Forum, and several smaller events. April 1 to boom, and with a twinkle, the Internet has not remained indifferent to the professional holiday of fools. Billionaires-original stated intention to build a colony on Mars, Euroset distributed to buyers herb (dill, of course) and promised rebreyning before re-branding, and the famous quote pad Runet Bashorg all day quoting exclusively Rosenthal. From relatives topics to smartphones and communicators drawings stand out a powerful stream of reports about Microsoft smartphone from unfriendly producers, who finally will be running Windows Mobile. For example, a fairly authoritative resource MSMobiles published sensational news - Nokia will release a version of the Nokia E61 smartphone running OSes Microsoft, under the logical name of Nokia 61wm. No less well-known resource PocketPC Thoughts reported that Nokia has announced the May release of Communicator Nokia N97w, also based on Windows Mobile. Both models, and 61wm and N97w, reported as the first device from Nokia built based on Windows Mobile.
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Perhaps the most beautiful and original became the "announcement" a mobile version of Boot Camp from Apple, which allows mobile phone users download the iPhone or Windows Mobile, or iPhone OS X. She was supposed to be part of the firmware iPhone 2.0, if it was not a drawing.
Creatively proved itself a Russian company Rover Somputers, well known for its democratic communicators. She did not promise to release a revolutionary phone with Windows Mobile, and decided to use their strengths for the benefit of our country and to strengthen high-tech defenses. The new communicator RoverPC SR0104 should allow each individual soldier to "become virtually autonomous combat unit." This is intended to assist the satellite navigation system GLONASS, a special headset, built-in night vision and thermal image sensors. Alas, the military. part of the base and MOE will be left without this "secret weapon" because it was only a just draw.
April Fools' Day at Microsoft
Many large IT-companies on April 1 was no laughing matter, as in Las Vegas the day kicked off CTIA Wireless 2008. Microsoft has spent his more than serious, finally justified the expectations of many users and mobile device manufacturers, will submit a formal renewal of the operating system Windows Mobile. As expected, the revolutions of Windows Mobile 6.1 is not brought, but boasts a number of deficiencies and nice improvements that many manufacturers and software developers have been forced to make their own. Simultaneously with the submission of Windows Mobile 6.1 was announced a new version of web browser Internet Explorer Mobile, which was previously unavailable features.To the support tab it has not yet reached, but there is support for H.264, Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight, which brings it closer to the modern requirements of web surfing with this browser. For a long time specialized resources come at a loss as to why Microsoft has not released versions of Silverlight for Windows Mobile, especially when the support of multimedia technology has been declared for smartphones based on S60 by Nokia earlier than for native mobile operating system. Now, the injustice continues, and Microsoft no one can accuse the "push" their products. Plus, this an opportunity to zoom to see small text and images on the page and view the entire page without the need for horizontal scrolling with a consequent increase in the desired area. This feature has already been tested in a pair of alternative browsers for mobile devices, Microsoft just trying to keep up. Such an approach is useful when viewing Web pages on small screen, even if it is not adapted to the mobile user does not have to wander without any guidance on its open spaces. As promised developer update Internet Explorer Mobile will be available from partners, manufacturers of mobile devices in the third quarter of 2008.
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In smartphones Windows Mobile 6.1 appears suitable improvements in the form of scrolling panel on the start screen Home screen. With this plugin the user gets instant access to the clock, reminders (including voice mail, missed calls and text messages), e-mail, appointments, music and optional services Windows Live for Windows Mobile. Panel with icons scrolled opening of each of the items tab, with the appropriate information. In all variations of Windows Mobile 6.1 (touch screen or not) there is an information center "Getting Started» (Getting Started Center), simplifies the initial set of essential functions of mobile device users, such as as e-mail, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-connection . For new users of the interface Windows Mobile, such assistance would be extremely important.
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Useful innovations appeared in the organization of your messages. All messages from or to the same interlocutor combined into a single conversation, like a chat. The opportunity is obvious, but before the release of version 6.1 it has not been implemented built-in Windows Mobile. Some changes in working with e-mail will be useful mainly to corporate users, for example, you can configure using the E-Mail Setup Wizard receiving emails with a custom domain in Outlook Mobile and corporate email via Exchange ActiveSync. When using POP3/IMAP-akkauntov is possible to download large messages entirely through Fetch. In addition, you can now carry out actions with multiple e-mail or text messages simultaneously.Selecting multiple e-mail, you can delete, move, mark as read and so on, not fussing with each letter individually. When you work with contacts, you can delete all or several contacts at once. Player Windows Media Player Mobile for PDAs and smartphones can be integrated on the startup screen, as a result of start or pause the music, you can right from the Today. A similar opportunity came and videos with photos. In the smartphone (no touch screen) is finally functionality Copy & Paste (copy and paste the text), which lacked a long time and forced to seek solution through third-party applications. Clipboard functions are available including drafting e-mails in Outlook Mobile, text messaging, work with fields to fill in the Internet Explorer Mobile. This functionality has long been available to users of Windows Mobile smartphones and PDAs and smartphone users have been unjustly deprived.
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With respect to Bluetooth-connections has also been a nice progress. Support Profile PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile) allows devices such as a car kit to access the information in the phone book. Function Auto-Pairing, respectively, automatically adjusts as a result of user does not need to remember the link code. New, separate task manager simplifies the process of program management. The user can switch between programs and close them by controlling the load device memory and battery life. You can also see general information about the performance, memory load and CPU.
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In addition to these changes, for corporate users, there is one large-scale innovation - support System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008. With this tool specialists IT-managers can set policies and control the mobile device friendly staff, a centralized manner. The process of synchronizing with the server has been improved with Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1), that during the tests showed an increase in work on a single charge by 33% (compared devices with Windows Mobile 6 and Windows Mobile 6.1). Release of the first phones with preinstalled operating system Windows Mobile 6.1 is scheduled for late 2008. At the time of announcement of the new OSes, were announced the following devices, which will be released with Windows Mobile 6.1 or upgrade to it:
- Alltel Wireless: HTC PPC6800, HTC Touch
- AT & T: Samsung BlackJack II, MOTO Q 9h global, Pantech duo, AT & T Tilt by HTC
- Sprint: A new Palm Treo and updates for the HTC Mogul, HTC Touch, MOTO Q 9c, Samsung ACE
- T-Mobile International: T-Mobile MDA Ameo 16 GB, T-Mobile MDA compact IV
- ASUS: New phones including the P320, ZX1, P560, M536 and updates for the P527, P750, M930
- HTC: A new Touch Dual for the U.S. and updates for the AT & T Tilt, HTC Touch, HTC Mogul from operator Sprint, TyTN II
- i-mate: 8502, 9502, 8150, 6150
- Intermec: CN3
- Motorola: MOTO Q 9c, MOTO Q 9h global, MC70, MC9000
- Pantech: Pantech duo
- Samsung: BlackJack II
- Toshiba: Portege G810 and Portege G910
WiMAX in Finnish
From the exhibition CTIA expect quite a lot in implementing the standard WiMAX. U.S. operator Sprint is now deploying mobile WiMAX network branded XOHM (the first such network in the U.S. on a national scale). Commercial launch was to be held in April and the exhibition were waiting for the submission of the set of subscriber units for the new network.Something went wrong with Sprint and a commercial launch was postponed at least until the summer. Nevertheless, a small sensation all the same has occurred. Nokia Company has long promised to release a number of mobile devices to work in networks of mobile WiMAX. At the CTIA hot Finnish guys are finally presented the first-born. They became the new version of Internet Tablet Nokia N810. The company did not change the marking of the model, because of changes compared with the basic version made quite a bit. In addition to supporting Wi-Fi and Bluetooh, in a model Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition adds support for mobile WiMAX. Thus, the device has three options for wireless communications instead of the previous two. In addition, the software platform has been updated to version OS2008. Members have already sold MIDs Nokia N810 and N800, which operate on the basis of earlier versions of the platform will be able to hold a free software upgrade to OS2008 for the second quarter of 2008. For the sake of a hardware upgrade will have to re-buy Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition.
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Issue of new items in the United States held this summer, it will probably timed to coincide with the commercial launch services to XOHM. On the timing of exit Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition in other regions of the company has not yet reported. In the not distant future, an updated Internet tablet will be alive in Russia. Comstar UTS and Intel at the end of last year announced plans for the end of 2008 to build and launch a commercial service network standard, IEEE 802.16e, covering the whole of Moscow. Who knows, maybe Russia will become one of the first countries where there will be also able to show all its advantages the new Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition.
High end of the startup
In the market Windows Mobile devices has a new player. Young company Velocity Mobile, in collaboration with a renowned manufacturer Inventec has presented two of their firstborn at CTIA - communicators Velocity 103 and Velocity 111. Sources close to the Taiwanese manufacturers are considering a novice as a promising rival of the infamous i-mate, who was unable to survive the crisis following the break-up with HTC, a recognized leader in the production of Windows Mobile. Velocity Mobile parallels with the i-mate suggest themselves. First, Inventec some time worked with i-mate, and only in the third quarter of 2007, broke her contract. And secondly, President and CEO of Velocity Mobile was David Hayes (David Hayes), former CTO of i-mate.
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In the updates on the one hand there is nothing revolutionary, but on the other side of the company immediately makes claims on high-end. The simple, austere design combined with a sound functionality. Both the communicator is based on the platform Qualcomm MSM7201, support third generation mobile communication, including high-speed standard HSDPA / HSUPA, so far rare. Tri-band networks, UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA and four GSM / GPRS / EDGE enable communicators to work freely in both the U.S. and Europe.Between a model different form factor and display settings. Velocity 103 is a candy bar in a classic PDA-style, it is equipped with a screen resolution of 640x480 pixels. Velocity 111 is a monoblock with the QWERTY-keyboard, display resolution it has only 320x240 pixels. According to the functional model are equal to other top business-oriented communicators. They are equipped with an internal memory of 256 MB (ROM) and 128 MB (RAM), GPS-module, wireless networks Wi-Fi (802.11 b / g) interface and Bluetooth 2.0, a TV / VGA-out, a slot for SD memory microSD, trackball navigation, the work is performed under control of Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, the "no worse than those of men." On the multimedia functions of producer frankly do not bother, by modern standards, a 2-megapixel camera for shooting and a VGA-camera for video calls is so much as modest. Of the competitors can go to name a few models. For the Velocity 103 is the communicator Glofiish X800, Gigabyte GSmart MS808, i-Mate 6150 Ultimate and ASUS P560 (if we ignore the VGA-screen). Velocity 111 competitors will be ASUS M536, HP iPAQ Business Messenger 914s and i-Mate 8502 Ultimate. Interestingly, the HTC's models with this combination of functionality yet.
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Prices for new items Velocity not yet been determined. Velocity 103 should appear on sale in the second quarter of this year, and the Velocity 111 - in the third. The company is currently in talks with mobile operators in India, South America and Eastern Europe, will be produced and free from any contract version, mainly through online stores.
Navigation Handsome Mio Lovebird
All on the same CTIA became known details about the new device Mio Lovebird. For the first time this novelty lighted at the beginning of the year at the January CES, but then on the device virtually nothing was known not. The company now has declassified a number of details about the technical characteristics Mio Lovebird. The model gives the impression of mid-level communicator with strong emphasis on design. This is another representative of communicators without top specifications, but with the application for the style. Such models appear more and more, from the HTC P3470 (HTC Pharos) and ending with the ASUS P320 RoverPC S7. Reasonable price with an attractive appearance to cause sympathy of the masses. Appearance Lovebird evoked by journalists at the show stable association with the iPhone through a metal edged case, subtlety and a smooth front panel with no clearly identified buttons (touch-sensitive control). In January, the communicator has received the prestigious IF Design Award 2008 for the combination of design and functionality.
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Mio Lovebird is powered by Samsung 2443 processor clocked at 400 MHz and 64 MB of RAM, the cellular networks are only supported GSM / GPRS / EDGE, without a third-generation networks. Judging by the preliminary data, Wi-Fi support, the new product is also provided, which can be written into the category of obvious drawbacks. Among the advantages, apart from a rather processor performance, we note 2 GB of internal flash memory and GPS-functionality with support for A-GPS. Issue Mio Lovebird scheduled closer to August this year, until things can change.
Four times as many pixels on the ASUS P750
And finally lead to the Russian expanses.Hackers enthusiasts Sorg and GreateVK from the forum Asus Mobile Club Russia brought an unofficial firmware for the ASUS P750 to a level where it is not ashamed to show people. Firmware activating VGA-mode on the PDA ASUS P750 is laid out in easy access, and anyone can conduct an experiment. According to the developers, it is as close as possible to the official firmware v4.9.1 for the functionality, except for remote ASUS Launcher and Location Courier and several other distinctions. We must pay tribute to the hardworking creators firmware - all utilities ASUS adapted to VGA resolution.
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Recall that the ASUS P750 comes with exposed QVGA (240x320 pixels), but technically, able to work with VGA resolution (640x480 pixels). Perhaps with time will be issued an official update for ASUS P750, and probably will be "new" model is already directly with VGA-screen. Officials ASUSTeK has remained silent and did not comment on the situation. Those who want to try VGA-mode on ASUS P750 worth remembering about the risks that accompany the installation of unofficial firmware. The user may encounter many challenges and difficulties for which the manufacturer is not responsible. That is, dare to experiment should be being ready for anything, and fully aware of the possible consequences.
The authors, translation:
K. Nemo
