Android version 1.5 coming to T-Mobile next month, iPhone on Verizon may be a possibility, and more. Here is a quick round up of all the mobile stories that are generating buzz today.
Microsoft’s Skymarket to compete with iPhone App store, the Xperia X1 launch date on track, Samsung INNOV8 debuts in UK and more. Today’s round up covers these stories and much more.
Microsoft confirmed that they would be acquiring MobiComp, a Portuguese company dealing in mobile software. With this acquisition, Microsoft hopes to strengthen its hold on mobile data protection and sharing services.
We took some time today to look at some of the new features of Windows Mobile 6.1, which was announced this week at CTIA 2008. The features we looked at include the new plugin systems for the home screen of Windows Mobile Standard devices, which is basically the same as the one we saw on the HTC Shadow (review). Microsoft has also moved to try and close the gap between Internet Explorer Mobile and other advanced browsers by adding an overview mode, similar to what we see in Series 60 Web on devices like the N82 (review). Last up is threaded SMS messaging, a feature much loved by users. Previously we've only seen threaded SMS on Windows Mobile devices from Palm like the Treo 750 (review), although the new implementation is slightly different. Video after the jump.
Even though the Xperia X1 was announced almost two months ago at Mobile World Congress we, alas, were not in attendance so we were duly enthused to take our first look at the device at the Mobile Focus event tonight at CTIA 2008. The hardware felt solid and although the Panel interface overlay was interesting we couldn't make any final judgement as the device we looked at was pre-production. It should be available sometime in the second half of 2008 for an undisclosed sum, we recommend you start saving now. Video after the break.
Take this one with a huge grain of salt but over at MSMobiles.com they're claiming that Nokia will be announcing a Windows Mobile Standard smart phone during CTIA. There's no source but the story claims that they handset will be revealed during the Microsoft keynote tomorrow morning. If this turns out to be true it will be a major shift for Nokia which has traditionally only used the Symbian Series 60 platform for their smart phones like the N95 (review).
One thing that may lend credence to the story is that Nokia's enterprise focused E-Series devices like the E90 (review) have not been as successful as the company might have liked. Windows Mobile devices with their native Exchange Server integration may be an opportunity for Nokia to better compete in the enterprise space. This is a rumor that's reared its head several times in the past and I guess we'll know tomorrow morning if this time it's true.
Update: it looks like we've fallen for what is likely an April Fool's joke, god I love that unconfirmed rumor tag, it's the only thing that's saving our dignity right now :)
With the iPhone SDK out now the dreams of many software developers and companies are running into the wall of limitations that come with the SDK. Most recently was Adobe, which initially indicated they would be developing a Flash plugin for the iPhone but then retracted their statement. Sun has also announced that they will be developing a Java client for the iPhone, but may find their hopes dashed by the fact that the SDK user agreement does not allow you to create applications that execute additional code. Today we're going to be taking a close look at the type of applications that won't be allowed on the iPhone by taking examples from other smart phone platforms.
Microsoft today unveiled Silverlight 1.0 for Windows Mobile 6 and has posted all the details on their website. Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 for WM6 mobile phones should be available in the 2nd Quarter of CY 2008 as a browser plug-in.
Q: When will Silverlight 1.0 be available for mobile?
A: We will have the First Developer CTP for Silverlight for mobile available in 2nd Quarter of CY 2008 targeting Windows Mobile 6.
Q: What form will Silverlight take on mobile?
A: Silverlight on mobile will take the form of a browser plug-in, the same as the web version.
Q: Which version of Silverlight will run on devices? 1.0 or 2?
A: Initially Silverlight 1.0 will run on mobile devices.
Q: What tools will be used to develop Silverlight mobile applications?
A: Because XAML is the foundation of Silverlight, Microsoft Expression Studio will provide features for designing Silverlight. Expression Design can be used for creating the visual elements while wiring the design with code can be done with either Expression Blend or with Visual Studio.
It is official. Microsoft will distribute Flash Lite and Reader programs from Adobe Systems Inc. to phones that run on Windows Mobile software. This would make viewing online videos and other files a more intuitive experience for the cellphone user.
"Flash content is the most prolific content on the web today; it is the way people express themselves on the Internet," Adobe spokesman Gary Kovacs said.
Microsoft’s Silverlight runtime platform will soon be available to Nokia users running S60 and Series 40 operating systems. Adding support for Silverlight which is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in will let developers create rich, interactive applications that run on multiple platforms. Silverlight is intended to be available to S60 developers later this year with initial service delivery anticipated shortly thereafter for all S60 licensees
It looks like Microsoft is on an aqcuisition streak. In addition to its recent decision to try and by Yahoo Microsoft is also making a move in the mobile space to buy Danger Inc. Danger makes the Sidekick smartphone, which is popular amongst the younger set. There's no information about how much Microsoft is paying for Danger or what they intend to do with it. Microsoft, of course, already develops the Windows Mobile platform for smart phones.
If certain rumors are to be believed than Microsoft is in talks with Nokia to develop Windows powered Nokia smartphones. Of course don’t dream of a Windows Mobile Nokia device popping up anytime soon.
Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business International Marketing Director John Starkweather confirmed with iTWire that they indeed are leaning over that direction:
"they obviously have significant investments in Symbian … there are a lot of places where we have significant synergies and we would love to see the day where those synergies would extend completely with Windows Mobile."
Looks like someone decided to leak some information about the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 update. We've already heard about the upgrades coming in Windows Mobile 6.1, but these seem to reflect a major upgrade in the software rather than incremental updates. According to the InsideMicrosoft blog Windows Mobile 7 will include better support for a touch interface, including gestures and multi-touch features. You'll also be able to shake or twist the phone to activate features, as we've seen on some Sony Ericsson devices already.
The visuals have also been upgraded, with a more Vista-like appearance and better support for interacting with the phone with your finger. The web browser is also expected to be updated to better compete with the iPhone's Safari and S60's Web and the media experience is also being upgraded. Of course none of this is confirmed, and Windows Mobile 7 isn't expected to be available until 2009, so there's a lot of time between now and then for things to change. If this does turn out to be true, though, we'll be very happy to see a lot of Windows Mobile's shortcomings addressed.
Microsoft’s Quickoffice has recently been upgraded to version 5. The newest version brings a lot of new things to the table one of the most important being support for Office 2007’s XML-derived files. Engadget Mobile spent some time with Quickoffice and has some screenshots up as well as some of their thoughts. Check it out here.
Office Mobile 6.1 has been released by Microsoft and the upgrade can be downloaded for free. The upgrade supports the new Office 2007 file formats hence one can view, create and even edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 files. To download the update, head over to the download page.
Microsoft’s ZenZui mobile UI has been rechristened Zumobi and the Beta version will be available from December 14, 2007. Zumobi is an open platform where developers can build and deploy content for mobile phones. More information on Zumobi is available at www.Zumobi.com.
“Since we unveiled the company at CTIA this spring, we’ve made tremendous progress in refining our product and service. Our new name is a reflection of our capabilities and is the result of what we’ve learned through more than three years of research and development as well as our Alpha trials earlier this year. The Beta version of the product that we’re now launching will offer consumers an exciting new set of mobile features and functionality that helps them stay on top of the things that are important to them personally and have fun doing it,” said Eric Hertz, CEO of Zumobi. “Our team has been hard at work, and the Beta product offers great opportunity now for each of the participants in the Zumobi ecosystem, including consumers, developers, content partners, advertisers, mobile operators and distributors.”
The battle lines are soon going to be drawn in the cut-throat mobile world as Microsoft announced their plans to build an “universal” mobile platform as ubiquitous as Windows. The Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 was unveiled at the CTIA wireless conference in San Francisco and according to CEO Steve Ballmer MS vision entails building a rich platform that supports 'work style' and lifestyle innovation,"
"We need to bring together four powerful computing [phenomena] that exist today: The desktop PC, enterprise computing, mobile services running in the cloud and phone devices," Ballmer said.
"The notion of four text messaging accounts, four or five e-mail accounts, all based on different devices—that's yesterday's idea … If we want innovations to proceed, we have to meld together and weave business models for software developers, telecommunications, and software companies."
We all know how Microsoft’s lofty claims about the Zune Player went and how Apple had the last laugh. Another MS vs. Apple Battle may be on the horizon as Microsoft said that its "not unreasonable" for the company to introduce a Zune mobile phone to compete with Apple iPhone. So what do you think is there place for another Brown incarnation of Zune in the world?
"It wouldn't be unreasonable to think at some point there might some integrated thing," Mindy Mount, chief financial officer of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, told investors at Citigroup's global technology conference.
Nokia announced a new PlayReady DRM licensing agreement with Microsoft, which would entail the mobile giants using the Microsoft's copy protection software. The software will help Nokia users to easily transfer content, such as games, ringtones and music, between their PCs and phones. This is seen as a logical step considering the impending Nokia rumored music store launch.
"People are increasingly using their mobile devices for enjoying digital content, such as music, games, videos and photos," said Ilkka Raiskinen, senior vice president of Multimedia Experiences at Nokia in a prepared statement. "By adding support for Microsoft PlayReady technology, we are enabling service providers to offer a wide range of content and create truly compelling experiences across mobile devices, personal computers and online services."
Apple and Microsoft battle it up again and looks like MS cannot resist taking potshots at the iPhone. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer claims that the iPhone is not even important enough to figure in Microsoft's scheme of things and will never be truly successful! Me thinks its more a case of good old rivalry but to each to its own! Here are Ballmer's two cents:
"Would I trade 96% of the market for 4% of the market? I want to have products that appeal to everybody," he said. "We'll get a chance to go through this [Apple versus Microsoft debate] again in phones and music players. There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It's a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I'd prefer to have our software in 60% or 70% or 80% of them, than I would to have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple might get."
As a contradiction to our prior post, involving statements from the CEO of Microsoft that the ZunePhone is not in the works, recent collaborations between Microsoft and Samsung may paint a different picture.
Seems Microsoft and Samsung have been sneaking around, exchanging fleeting patents, and passionate ideas. The patent exchange involves small devices, such as digital music players.
The concept of the ZunePhone development may not be far-fetched after all. Which should be surprising to very few, considering the convergence of technology in the mobile world has already made news by producing other music playing cell phones.
Yet another twist in the ZunePhone saga, which could make the possibility, a reality.
Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft, has countered festering rumors of an eventual Zune Phone, by saying there are no such plans in the works.
The Zune Phone has long been speculated about, especially here in the techie blogosphere, but for now, the Zune appears to be doomed.
There seems to be more of a reversal of engineering thought process here. Instead of cramming the Zune device with mobile phone capabilities, Microsoft feels they can cram Zune capabilities into their Windows Mobile.
Microsoft is wisely focusing on conforming to their strengths. Zune hasn’t exactly lit the world afire, and there are many iPhone knockoffs on the market or pending release.
While we here at Wirelessinfo do not condone ripping off other companies in any way, we do ask that if you're going to go through the hassle, please don't make it so hilarious.
The Doubao 777, developed by a Chinese company, makes use of some dumbphone technology.
Yes, this puppy is a member of the 'Window' phone family. That's 'Window' ... Singular. Presumably the Chinese knock-off is only capable of opening one 'Window.' Period.
Even more impressive is the schizophrenic switch from upper-case letters to lower-case on the word 'TOUCHSCReeN.'
The Doubao 777 is being sold in Taiwan currently, but we are anxiously awaiting a future release that will support the Linucks and Pom operating systems.
The battle lines are drawn and looks like more people are rooting for the iPhone to fail! Microsoft is not too impressed by the Apple iPhone (why doesn’t that surprise us?) and thinks that for business users it would useless!
Chris Sorenson, Microsoft's Asia-Pacific head of smart-phone strategy, told press “It's a closed device that you cannot install applications on, and there's no support for Office documents. If you're an enterprise and want to roll out a line of business applications, it's just not an option. Even using it as a heavy messaging device will be a challenge,"
So what do you think is he right or its just plain old rivalry talking?
Tellme Networks Inc. announced a new directory-assistance application which allows mobile phone users to say what they’re looking for and see the results in text and graphics on their mobile phone displays instead getting an automated voice response.
Once the Tellme mobile software is installed on a compatible phone, callers can speak their business search requests and have the results come back as a formatted list with live links to maps and directions.
Late Wednesday, Microsoft released a preview of their newest mobile browser, as the war to own mobile browsing intensifies. Coded named "Deepfish", this browser is downloadable in beta form on a first come, first served basis and downloads will be shut down when an unspecified number is reached.
Deepfish is a significant step towards creating a mobile web experience similar to what users experience on a PC. It allows zooming, panning, and has a cue map. This version does not yet support ActiveX controls, AJAX, cookies, Javascript, and HTTP POST.
Today, Microsoft announced that it has funded a startup that offers to develop a unique solution to the biggest problem mobile applications face; the limited screen size. The team at ZenZui uses what is called a Zooming User Interface to allow mobile users to zoom in on content via their touchscreens. This technology was originally developed and patented by Microsoft. Zenzui's partners who are enabling content for this technology include Traffic.com, OTO Labs (which distributes a mobile version of Family Guy), and Razorfish.
The zoom function will be available this fall, after a limited beta test by invitation only.
Microsoft is working on creating some speakers that would give a whole new meaning to the term Speakerphone. They are trying to create an algorithm that would direct sound from a device into your ears, essentially creating a pair of virtual headphones. The study is currently focused on computer speakers with the ultimate goal of allowing users on a conference call to be able to walk around their office and have their computer' sound follow them around. As the technology progresses it would be great to see this type of technology work with mobile phones as well. How great would it be to lave your phone on your desk and be able to walk around your office and continue your conversation? Maybe we'll get lucky and Sony will get the go ahead for their TV cell phone integration soon.
The company that provides the voice-recognition technology behind the automated directory-assistance services used by many wireless service providers will soon become part of Microsoft Corp. The software giant announced today that it will acquire Tellme Networks Inc., based in Mountain View, Calif. and fold it into the Microsoft Business Division.
Android version 1.5 coming to T-Mobile next month, iPhone on Verizon may be a possibility, and more. Here is a quick round up of all the mobile stories that are generating buzz today.
Samsung Pixon very much a reality, new iPhone firmware tweaks Safari, No Zune phone and more. Here is a round up of stories making waves this weekend.
We took some time today to look at some of the new features of Windows Mobile 6.1, which was announced this week at CTIA 2008. The features we looked at include the new plugin systems for the home screen of Windows Mobile Standard devices, which is basically the same as the one we saw on the HTC Shadow (
Even though the Xperia X1 was announced almost two months ago at Mobile World Congress we, alas, were not in attendance so we were duly enthused to take our first look at the device at the Mobile Focus event tonight at CTIA 2008. The hardware felt solid and although the Panel interface overlay was interesting we couldn't make any final judgement as the device we looked at was pre-production. It should be available sometime in the second half of 2008 for an undisclosed sum, we recommend you start saving now. Video after the break.
Take this one with a huge grain of salt but over at 
With the iPhone SDK out now the dreams of many software developers and companies are running into the wall of limitations that come with the SDK. Most recently was Adobe, which initially indicated they would be developing a Flash plugin for the iPhone but then retracted their statement. Sun has also announced that they will be developing a Java client for the iPhone, but may find their hopes dashed by the fact that the SDK user agreement does not allow you to create applications that execute additional code. Today we're going to be taking a close look at the type of applications that won't be allowed on the iPhone by taking examples from other smart phone platforms.
Microsoft today unveiled Silverlight 1.0 for Windows Mobile 6 and has posted all the details on their
Microsoft’s Silverlight runtime platform will soon be available to 
Looks like someone decided to leak some information about the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 update. We've already heard about the upgrades coming in 
Microsoft’s Quickoffice has recently been upgraded to version 5. The newest version brings a lot of new things to the table one of the most important being support for Office 2007’s XML-derived files. 
Apple 
Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft, has countered festering rumors of an eventual Zune Phone, by saying there are no such plans in the works. 
While we here at Wirelessinfo do not condone ripping off other companies in any way, we do ask that if you're going to go through the hassle, please don't make it so hilarious.
Tellme Networks Inc.
Late Wednesday, Microsoft released a 
Today, Microsoft 
Microsoft is working on 