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

"...a pair of Microsoft developer evangelists on an Australian podcast are saying that Chassis 1 (full touchscreen, gigahertz processor, and dedicated graphics acceleration) will be the sole option at launch, with Chassis 2 and 3 following on after that. 2 is said to be "more like a Palm Treo" with a dedicated QWERTY keyboard, while 3 remains a mystery, though there's some speculation on the podcast that it could be a candybar -- a form factor that's becoming something of a lost art these days..."

My biggest concern about Windows phone 7 is about the chassis regulations by Microsoft and the lack of specific hardware features (as I stated in a recent rant). One of the contributing reasons I have stuck with the Windows Mobile platform throughout the years is the diversity of form factors. I would never buy an iPhone due to lack of physical keyboard (and other software limitations) because it drives me crazy hunting down every single button on a screen-only device.

I do expect expect Microsoft to allow several form factor choices for Windows phone 7 Series devices, and not limit us to the "Back, Start Menu and Search" button-only chassis. Only time will tell, but it would be a major killer for me if a Touch Pro II style form factor device running WP7 is out of the question. What do you think the "Chassis 3" form factor will be and what are your thoughts?

"The SIMFi card will allow any regular phone to share its HSPA 3G connection with other devices by acting as a Wi-Fi router. No other special hardware will be required other than a cellular handset with SIM card slot and 3G capabilities."

Sagem Orga along with its partner Telefonica recently introduced the SIMFi, the world's first SIM Card with built Wi-Fi radio. In essence, the SIMFi will allow users to turn their mobile phone (with adequate data plan) into a portable HSPA/Wi-Fi hotspot with the added security that SIM cards provide. This would come in handy for laptop, UMPC or MID users who need a reliable Wi-Fi Internet connection without the hassle or restrictions of tethering or using a carrier's broadband access card.

This is great news, but I wonder how it would affect battery life of the phone used. No information on pricing or availability has been announced yet, but we'll keep you posted. Click here to read the full press release and tell us your thoughts.

We first saw the P300 going through Bluetooth SIG certification - at MWC Acer launched both the P300 (turns out its got a slide out keyboard) and the slightly higher-spec P400 (picture above). Both have Qualcomm processors, 3.2" screens, 3.1MP cameras, 256MB RAM and 512MB ROM, but the P300 has a WQVGA screen while the P400 runs a slightly faster 600MHz processor and sports a HVGA screen. Pricing and availability are still unknown, but from the spec list don't expect either to break the bank.

While no specific date has been officially announced yet, T-Mobile has launched a new web page for the highly anticipated HD2 with general information and mailing list sign up. This is obviously the teaser that T-Mobile posted on their twitter page last week. Judging by T-Mobile's history (as a 6 year customer), I suspect we're about a month away of release.

As of now, the HD2 is the only Windows Mobile device upgradable to Windows Phone 7. Do you plan on getting the HD2 when it's released? While I personally don't plan to (due to lack of physical keyboard), I know it'll be an awesome device nonetheless!

"Disappointed by the bad sales performance of its first Snapdragon powered Windows Phone the TG01, Toshiba decided to kick of this 2010 MWC with a shiny new TG02. Like most handset nowadays our TG02 features a capacitive screen with a 4.1" size and the usual VGA resolution and the same old 1GHz snapdragon. Running Windows 6.5 the TG02 also features a new fancy 3D Menu desperately trying to catch up with HTC UI...Now if you prefer devices with a full QWERTY keyboard, well you are in luck and behold the Toshiba K01. Beside its new OLED screen and keyboard, specs of the K01 are in fact pretty much similar to the TG02."

There's been a slew of new devices introduced at this year's Mobile World Congress, but most have been overshadowed by the Windows Phone 7 Series launch. Almost lost in the shuffle are Toshiba's gorgeous updates of last year's ground-breaking, but ultimately less than successful TG01. The TG02 (slate) and K01 (which includes a hardware QWERTY keyboard) are almost identical to the TG01, but make up for one of its most glaring omissions - both feature 4.1" capacitive screens, and the K01's screen is OLED to boot. Toshiba's proprietary panel UI also seems to have been dropped in favor of the latest version of SPB's Mobile Shell (good move if you ask me). Check out the link for the press release or drop by on Engadget's hands-on video and photo gallery. You might not see these in North America (the TG01 never made it), but you never know.

HTC launched three new devices at MWC yesterday (click the link for Engadget's commentary during the press event). The Legend and the Desire will both run Android, but the last of the trio is the HD Mini which will run on Windows Mobile 6.5.3. That's honestly a bit of a come down after all the excitement over Microsoft's big Windows Phone 7 Series launch yesterday, but the Mini isn't a slouch by any means and is quite likely to be successful given it's positioning as a mid-level/entry level device (remember the Magician and all its variants?). Engadget has a hands-on gallery (and soon to come video) on the new device, which will sport a 600MHz processor, HTC Sense, a 3.2" capacitive screen, and the usual array of radios. Jason had a chance to discuss the device with HTC - well worth a read for the insight into the thinking behind its design.

"If you'll recall, we spotted a "proof of concept" smartphone dock from the outfit [Celio] 13 months ago, and apparently that very device has shifted out of the R&D lab and into a working product. Now sporting the codename "Moab," the dock essentially brings a keyboard and mouse of your choosing to your smartphone, and it channels the video on your mobile's display onto a bona fide external monitor."

While the concept of a smartphone dock may sound useful to some, I personally would not buy an accessory like this and it seems a bit awkward for the purpose of typing long emails. If I have a keyboard, mouse and monitor lying around, there will more than likely be a notebook nearby to use instead. But still, for some this may be a convenient solution. Do you think a smartphone dock would be a useful accessory to own? Tell us what you think.

"Microsoft have officially launched Windows Phone 7 and with it the Windows Phone Series, promising we'll see the first devices on the market in time for the holiday 2010 shopping season. Windows Phone 7 marks a new, more end-user aware phase for the platform, with Zune and Xbox integration, together with stricter controls over the overall end-user experience: third-party UIs, such as HTC Sense, will not be allowed (though OEMs will be able to add into the new WP7 UI), and while they're not yet revealing the details, Microsoft have a long technical specifications list for handset manufacturers that will better standardize the platform."

Slashgear got their hands on a Windows Phone 7 Series demo model at MWC and has some interesting initial observations on it. Interesting stuff! It's a good day to be a Windows Phone fan!

"So, we had a few precious moments to play around with Garmin-Asus' latest Nuvifones here in lovely Barcelona today -- the M10 and A50, running on Windows Mobile 6.5.3 and Android 1.6, respectively -- and even better, we did so in the back of a black Mercedes expressly purposed for testing out the integrated turn-by-turn capabilities"

The Windows Mobile 6.5.3 powered Asus Nuvifone M10 (And it's Android 1.6 powered brother, the A50) got a bit of hand-time with Engadget in Barcelona. Check out their piece for more details and impressions on both phones. Personally I'm thinking both phones operating systems seem a bit dated though. Android 2.1 is running on some devices, and 6.5.3 seems way too long of a version number. Perhaps we'll a shorter Win Mo version number soon...

Engadget is reporting that the new M10, which was first barely spotted just over a week ago, has been reviewed by Russian site Hi-Tech@Mail.ru. Basic specs are confirmed (600MHz processor, 512 RAM, 4GB storage, 5MP camera) as well as the presence of WM6.5.3, although I still haven't seen confirmation whether the camera is fixed- or auto-focus. Asus apparently haven't done much to customise the experience, leaving it to the new WM6.5.3 interface which apparently works well enough. Plenty of photos and screenshots at the HTMR site (Google translation here).

Product Category: PDA Phone

Manufacturer: Samsung

Where to Buy: Sprint

Price: $449.99 USD; $149.99 with a new or upgrade 2 year contract

Specifications: From the Samsung site

Pros:

• Great keyboard;
• Design provides a good balance of features for business and pleasure;
• Auto focus feature on camera.

Cons:

• Windows Mobile 6.5 provides limited touch friendly control;
• Stylus is very hard to remove;
• Slow auto focus.

Summary: Windows Mobile 6.5 has hit the marketplace in a big way and phones featuring it are widely available from all of the major US providers. Among its offerings, Sprint features the Samsung Intrepid, a Windows Mobile phone in the classic BlackBerry-style form factor. The Intrepid distinguishes itself in that it's based on Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, which adds a touch screen featured on only a small handful of devices of this style currently available from US carriers and not offered on BlackBerrys. So let's see if the combination of touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard puts the Intrepid at or near the top of the "must have" list. Read more...

Spied going through certification at the Bluetooth SIG, the Acer P300 (on the left in the pic above) has precious few details attached to it, save that it will run Windows Mobile and have BT2.0+EDR and WiFi b/g. From the form factor, my guess is that it'll also have WVGA screen - but apart from that, your guess is as good as mine as to what the P300 is packing. More than likely, we'll see this launched at MWC in Barcelona which will begin in just under a weeks time (Feb15-18).

"Hand-held devices could soon have pressure-sensitive touch-screens and keys, thanks to a UK firm's material that exploits a quantum physics trick.The technology allows, for example, scrolling down a long list or webpage faster as more pressure is applied."

Samsung has just licensed a new hardware technology that allows for greater pressure sensitivity in screens and keys. So what's so special about "quantum tunneling composite"? The two biggest knocks on resistive screens are that they're not sensitive enough to use easily with your fingers, plus the screen registers touches as either on or off with no in-betweens. On the other hand, you can use practically anything to interact with it. Capacitive screens on the other hand are great at touch sensitivity, but you need a special stylus/pen to get pressure sensitivity. QTC might just be capable of combining the best of both technologies - use anything you like, plus pressure sensitivity, plus touch sensitivity - all in a package as thin as a human hair. Now won't that be worth seeing? Samsung is already using QTC in hardware keys in a limited way on some handsets. Hopefully the technology will have progressed enough to put into screens in the near future.

"It's not news to say that we attracted some criticism for this on the X1 and we're not going to go there again with the X2. So, for the record, this is what X2 customers can expect in terms of software upgrades."

In an attempt to be upfront with consumers, Sony Ericsson has announced the software update schedule for the XPERIA X2. According to the company, March should bring a major update: Windows Mobile will be upped from 6.5.1 to 6.5.2, most applications will receive tweaks, and there will be added support for video telephony, an FM radio, and faster GPS fixes. Then sometime in May, it'll get the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 treatment. Of course, the value of all this is heavily dependent on the device making it into the hands of consumers in a timely fashion, which we're sorry to say, is not happening.

I'd have thought that WM6.5.3 would have first turned up in some nice top range models featuring capacitive screens, before going down the line to more mass market handsets. Instead we have the SE Aspen and this Garmin-Asus effort - not much of a bang, huh? The M10 features a 600MHz Qualcomm processor, 3.5" WVGA resistive screen, 4GB onboard storage and a 5MP camera that appears to be fixed-focus (in this day and age?). For pics and more details, check the Google translation of Mobile01.com's review.

"Today sees the announcement of Sony Ericsson Aspen, the business mobile phone with green credentials at its core. The newest edition to the successful Sony Ericsson GreenHeart portfolio, Sony Ericsson Aspen, allows easy multi-tasking combining the touch experience and a real QWERTY keyboard. Organise and adapt panels to change during the day and use Slide View for quick access to common features. With Sony Ericsson Aspen, view and edit office files easily and comfortably with one touch operation, or just access the internet in one click. The QWERTY keyboard is made for fast and easy typing. Simple email set up allows for a maximized messaging experience on the go. Secure the phone's contents through the Microsoft MyPhone service, which remotely erases phone data when the handset is lost or stolen."

Sony Ericsson has done what Microsoft has been avoiding for months: it's made Windows Mobile 6.5.3 official, courtesy of its latest handset, the Aspen. The QVGA touch-screen device supports quad-band GSM/EDGE and market-dependent dual-band (900/2100 MHz) or tri-band (850/900/2100 MHz) HSPA. Alongside that, there's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, an FM radio with RDS, a 3.2-megapixel camera, USB mass storage support, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microSDHC slot supporting cards of up to 16 GB. Available in either black or white, the Aspen should hit store shelves in the second quarter. And we sure hope they're right about that, considering that their other Windows Mobile device has suffered massive delays beyond public comprehension.

"Before the Nexus One and the HD2, there was the Toshiba TG01, sprinting along with a 1GHz Snapdragon in its belly and a 4.1-inch front end. Alas, that phone was hamstrung by a resistive touchscreen and a poorly thought-out skin atop an even worse OS (WinMo 6.1), but even by today's standards its hardware spec is top notch. Color us intrigued, then, to find its successor finally making its FCC debut -- with Bluetooth, GPS and WiFi (802.11b/g) connectivity in tow and a case outline suggesting some earlier leaked shots might still be accurate."

Well, looks like the TG01 is getting a successor. Toshiba is the little OEM that could, and as we've all seen, sometimes they can produce quality devices. But let's just hope the TG02 makes a bigger splash than the TG01.

Rumours about Microsoft's mysterious "Pink" smartphone have been circling around the net for about a year now, but according to a factual statement by a (former) Microsoft employee, we should finally see what Pink is all about this Spring. The "Pink" phone (rumored to be named after the pop-singer Pink) is to be a "Zune-like" smartphone marketed towards youth with a special emphasis on social networking and communication.

Not a bad idea coming from Microsoft. It sounds like the the once popular Danger Sidekick platform (which Microsoft acquired back in February 2008). Perhaps this IS the "next genration" Sidekick? And with Windows Mobile 7 around the corner, I wonder how similar Pink will be to the media edition of Windows Mobile 7...

Details are sparse, but the new handset (with 3 model names depending on carrier) is apparently based on the existing GM750 and features a 3" WQVGA screen (meh), 5MP auto-focus camera, and a T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting - mobile TV for us mere mortals) tuner on board. Price? Around KRW 600 ($500++). Interested? Hit the link for the photo gallery.

"Looks like the HTC HD2 is getting a little spec bump on its way to our fair shores: the official spec page lists the version bound for T-Mobile US with 1GB of ROM and 576 of RAM, a boost over the international edition's 512 and 448MB. What's more, it looks like a bigger 16GB microSD card will come in the box, a big jump over the 2GB stick currently bundled overseas."

Over the weekend Engadget and others repoted that the version of the HD2 that is slated for T-Mobile will get slightly better stats than the first version available worldwide. My HD2 Saving Fund is strong in both amount and desire - how about yours?