Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

With the announcement of the Sony Ericsson Aspen, Windows Mobile 6.5.3 gets its official unveiling - because it's a dotdot release, Microsoft isn't making any big announcements about it. It does bring a few important updates to the table, though the cynical among you (and some days I count myself among you) will no doubt say they're about two years too late. Regardless, 6.5.3 is more touch friendly than 6.5, and that's a good step forward. 6.5.3 adds official capacitive touchscreen support, which is fantastic - hopefully this means well see more capacitive touchscreen Windows phones in the future. I initially wasn't a believer in the superiority of capacitive over resistive when it came to touch input, but after using the HTC HD2, there's no going back. It's just that much better. Read more...

"While Sling Media's SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile was the company's first mobile SlingPlayer client for its famous Slingboxes, it came into its years since the initial SlingPlayer Mobile 1.0 for Windows Mobile was pretty stylus-centric and Sling Media already showed-off - how a nice looking finger-friendly GUI could look when the company released its Apple iPhone/iPod Touch SlingPlayer Mobile. Now, after months of work, Sling Media released its SlingPlayer Mobile 2.0 for Windows Mobile 6.x touchscreen-based Professional smartphones which features a similar, finger friendly GUI by not cutting-off any of the Windows Mobile features including native streaming over 3G wireless networks."

the::unwired is reporting that Slingplayer's new Windows Mobile version is finger friendly and quite capable. Slingers can check it out and let us know what they think.

Windows Live has been updated to build 10.7.0061.0500. For the most part is is minor backend fixes and UI tweaks, as well as a fix particular to the Samsung Omnia. There are two downloads, one for WinMo Professional and one for WinMo Standard. Either download from your phone or download the .CAB file to your PC and transfer it over.

"New software for the Samsung Omnia that will give customers an additional option for navigation is now available. The open GPS feature allows customers to purchase or use free applications by adding them to the device. Customers can still use VZ Navigator with turn by turn directions that talk to you while driving and takes you to millions of locations throughout the U. S. and just recently parts of Europe."

Every so often Verizon tries to not appear so evil. Omnia owners on Big V, take advantage of this glimpse of civility!

HTC has posted a ROM update for the Touch HD, which, alongside the usual batch of bug fixes, improves the performance of GPS and emergency call connections, and updates the connection setup database. It's a free download, although you will need to provide your serial number in order to gain access to it.

"On a related note, the presentation confirmed that the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile will apply application updates directly on the device. However it also appears application updates will require developers to resubmit their application for approval which would then cost a submission token or fee and take time to process."

Allow me to place Long Zheng's words (quoted above) into context. When Microsoft unveiled the Windows Marketplace for Mobile a week ago, it outlined details pertaining to program enrollment and the application submission process. To join the program, developers pay an annual registration fee of $99. That fee includes five application submissions per year. When a developer consumes all five submission tokens in a given year, each additional application submission within the same year costs $99, whether it's a free or paid application.

Now, this probably wouldn't restrict the average developer too much, as he or she is unlikely to release five new applications in a given year. However, a real problem emerges once these submission tokens are applied to application updates as well as new applications, which is actually the case, if Long's words speak the truth. It's not uncommon for developers, especially those who actively respond to customer feedback, to release more than five application updates in a given year. But who can blame a developer for being discouraged when they're being slapped with a $99 fee per update after the fifth update?

Read more...

Both the Samsung SGH-i780 (European version) and Verizon Wireless' XV6900 (HTC Touch) have finally been blessed with Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades. Visit our Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade thread for links to these upgrades, as well as many more.

There's no shortage of Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades available for download, so we've compiled and linked to (hopefully) all of them to make searching for that device upgrade just a little bit easier. If you know of any we've missed, hit us with a link and we'll add it to the list.

• Alltel: HTC Touch, HTC PPC6800
• ASUS: P527, P750
• AT&T: Motorola Q9h, Pantech Duo, Tilt,
• Bell: HTC Touch, HTC PPC6800
• HTC: Touch Cruise, Touch Dual, HTC TyTN II,
• i-mate: Ultimate 6150, Ultimate 8150, Ultimate 8502, Ultimate 9502
• Intermec: CN3, CK3
• Motorola: MC7090 (requires a purchased license)
• O2: Xda Mantle, Xda Orbit 2, Xda Stellar
• Orange: HTC TyTN II
• Samsung: BlackJack II (XP, Vista), SCH-i760, SGH-i780 (Europe)
• Sprint: ACE (SPH-i325), Mogul, HTC Touch
• Telus: HTC Touch, HTC S720, HTC P4000
• US Cellular: HTC Touch
• Verizon Wireless: Motorola Q9c, XV6800, XV6900
• Vodafone: v1615

"Based on feedback from you guys, our Mobile team have overhauled Skype for Windows Mobile and released Beta 2.5. It features improved sound quality, better stability and a more familiar user interface. Download it now and give it a whirl."

The eagerly awaited Skype for Windows Mobile update is now available for both Windows Mobile Standard and Professional devices. Go get it!

You requested features; SBSH delivered. PhoneWeaver 1.3 and PocketWeather 2.1 have just hit the streets, and there's plenty in both to satisfy new and existing users alike. To try, buy, or update, head over to our affiliate software store:

• PhoneWeaver for Pocket PC (Windows Mobile Professional)
• PocketWeather for Pocket PC (Windows Mobile Classic/Professional)
• PocketWeather for Smartphone (Windows Mobile Standard)

Updater v1.24 is now available for the Palm/Verizon Treo 700wx. Wait, we know what you're thinking. Just an insignificant dot upgrade, right? Nope, not this time. v1.24 packs Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Yes, Windows Mobile 6 Professional for your two-year old device. Our hats off to Palm and Verizon for making this happen. And to all the other manufacturers and carriers reading this, take note. Users love OS upgrades, no matter how old the device. Seriously.

"...we've become aware of some upcoming updates for the Treo 700wx... Some internal training slides have been leaked onto the internet that detail the updates. The updates will be released sometime this "Spring and Summer," according to the slides. Update 1.24 for the Verizon Treo 700wx will update the OS to Windows Mobile 6 Professional! WooHoo! That's great! However, it's too bad that Sprint isn't getting the update. Also, Palm is going to put Windows Mobile 6 on the device even though Windows Mobile 6.1 is already out."



I missed posting on this last week; too bad it's not 6.1, but given the testing time for any new OS, I'm not surprised. In any case, Verizon 700wx owners, you may have something to look forward to in the new future. (I'd be much happier if WM OS updates were offered across many devices, but it looks like that's not happening any time soon.)

"Alltel today became the first carrier to bring EVDO Rev. A to the Touch. This new ROM includes a new bootloader and radio, and is specific to the Alltel Touch. In addition to Rev. A this new ROM "improves Bluetooth performance, fixing connectivity issues with some headsets and other devices" and gives Alltel customers the ability to receive video messages. Interestingly, there is no mention of GPS and it is confirmed that this is still not working. We've been hearing rumors of a Sprint upgrade since January, and Verizon initially said their variant would launch with Rev. A and GPS, so we'd expect both carriers to have new ROMs out sooner rather than later."



Alltel Touch users can find their firmware update here to ROM version 3.04.671.2. It includes a speed bump with EV-DO Rev. A, Bluetooth performance improvements, and the ability to receive video messages. Sprint and Verizon users are cautioned they could brick their devices if they try this update, so wait!