The Palm Centro Sells 1 Million

Palm announced the Centro late last year. They were after the gray area of users in the US. The people that wanted more from their feature phone, but didn’t really need a super PDA Phone like a Windows Mobile device, Blackberry, etc. They were targeting 1st time smartphone users. The price point was a complete win. Since then, the Centro has been released on the Sprint and AT&T Network. We have reviewers working on reviews of both devices right now. I have taken a quick look at both of them and they are quite nice for as affordable as they are. ( AT&T 1st look - Sprint 1st Look ) Well, I am here to bring some good news on the Centro front. There have been over 1 million Centro smartphones sold already. That is quite impressive, but I am not surprised. The price point makes the Centro an easy choice for many.

Palm, Inc. today announced that it has sold its one-millionth Palm Centro smartphone, demonstrating the $99 product’s mass appeal to customers ready to get all the power of a smartphone at the price of a traditional mobile phone. Palm is now shipping Centro in 10 countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the UK, Germany, Spain, Ireland, France and Italy, and its already-rapid momentum is set to grow as Palm debuts the product in additional countries around the globe.

“The Palm Centro is flying off the shelves because users who want to step up to a smartphone see it as the perfect first choice,” said Brodie Keast, senior vice president of marketing for Palm, Inc. “It has everything a person needs to stay organized and connected with everyone who is important to them. We’re very excited about the Centro’s near-instant popularity in the U.S. and think it’s going to be a huge hit as it continues to make its way across the globe.”

Thanks Palm for the phone call today. I am pleased to share this info. I was pretty stoked with the announcement back in September. I expected it to do well, but this is better than I thought.

Update : I got a follow on email to my conversation with  Palm today, read on for some key facts about the Centro Sales.

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Do you Twitter? Do you RSS? What do you do?

In today’s fast pace information world, you have more than one option to follow the news and info that websites provide. You already know you can just visit the sites, many of you already use RSS, and some use email subscriptions too. Did you know that there are even more ways that we, the website admins, can get content out to you? One of those new methods that I have ignored for so long is Twitter.

Julie Delong, Microsoft MVP and a member of our moderation team, set up a Twitter feed not too long ago. I wasn’t too sold on the whole Twitter thing, but lately, I have been giving it a serious look. I have been using it a lot lately on the personal side. (my link) I have also been looking at how the content is present in Twitter and I really like what Julie has set up. When a post is made here, it sends a message to Twitter and it is published on the Mobilitysite Twitter feed. You can subscribe to it and read it online, in your Twitter application on your device, or even have the alerts text messaged to you. (Mobilitysite’s Twitter Feed)

Another method we use here is using our Odiogo feed. This is really cool if you have a high speed connection and want to listen to our news stories on the way to work, etc.

Here are some ways to get Mobilitysite’s content:

• Standard RSS (Try our Branded Viigo Windows Mobile Reader)
• Twitter Feed
• Email Blast (visit Mobilitysite and look in the right column for a blog to enter address)
• Odiogo feed
• Facebook

What RSS Reader do you use?
I use Google Reader on my desktop and laptop and Viigo on my mobile devices.

           

Not A SkyFire Beta Tester Yet? Hang On…

I have been using Skyfire now for about a month, and really like it. There are a few UI issues, but all and all,  it has worked very well in my Non 3G Town I live in. You can check out my First Impression by CLICKING HERE. Of course, with all the good press SkyFire has been getting, it has attracted a lot of attention. I have a ton of contact form emails and comments on my First Impression Review on “How can I get it?” Well, SkyFire is backed up as you can well imagine:

On March 1, we reached critical mass for our immediate beta needs and created two phases for our beta program – Betas 1 and 2. If you signed up

between February 8 and March 1, you are in Beta 1. If you signed up after March 1, you are in Beta 2. We created these two groups so we can manage demand, and the only difference between the two is timing. It’s our way to ensure we can sufficiently support everyone as well as leverage all of your feedback to influence a stellar 1.0 product.

Beta 1 is happening now and each week we extend invitations to download Skyfire on a first signed up, first invited basis. It will take us several more weeks to get to everyone signed up during the Beta 1 period. Rest assured, we will get to everyone in Beta 1 by the end of April.

At the launch of Beta 2, all Beta 1 users will automatically be added to Beta 2 with no action required on their part.

So when will Beta 2 Roll out? Read more after the break!

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Not A SkyFire Beta Tester Yet? Hang On…

I have been using Skyfire now for about a month, and really like it. There are a few UI issues, but all and all,  it has worked very well in my Non 3G Town I live in. You can check out my First Impression by CLICKING HERE. Of course, with all the good press SkyFire has been getting, it has attracted a lot of attention. I have a ton of contact form emails and comments on my First Impression Review on “How can I get it?” Well, SkyFire is backed up as you can well imagine:

On March 1, we reached critical mass for our immediate beta needs and created two phases for our beta program – Betas 1 and 2. If you signed up between February 8 and March 1, you are in Beta 1. If you signed up after March 1, you are in Beta 2. We created these two groups so we can manage demand, and the only difference between the two is timing. It’s our way to ensure we can sufficiently support everyone as well as leverage all of your feedback to influence a stellar 1.0 product.

Beta 1 is happening now and each week we extend invitations to download Skyfire on a first signed up, first invited basis. It will take us several more weeks to get to everyone signed up during the Beta 1 period. Rest assured, we will get to everyone in Beta 1 by the end of April.

At the launch of Beta 2, all Beta 1 users will automatically be added to Beta 2 with no action required on their part.

So when will Beta 2 Roll out? Read more after the break!

[Read more]

           

HTC’s "Manilla" Is Looking Pretty Good!

BGR scored the goods once again and drops some HTC “Manilla” sweetness on us to drool over! This new Today Screen looks Amazing! I never was a big fan of how much real estate the current HTC Today Screen takes up, but I won’t complain as the rest of the interface is awesome. But I am really liking the new version and the smaller clock.

HTC’s Manilla Interface will make it’s way on devices sporting WinMo 6.1 Professional OS. These pictures were taken from  a cooked X7510 ROM that BGR got wind of.

For more screen shots (drool) of HTC’s “Thilla in Manilla” head on over to The Boy Genius or CLICK HERE

           

Handango Still Not Scoring Points With Developers

I was not going to post this as it seemed to me that it might be on the outside of what this Blog is really about, the Tilt/TyTN II. I had posted THIS a month or so ago stating how Handango was cutting (In my opinion, as well as others) too deeply into developers pockets. I think it is a concern for us Tilt/TyTN II users to know what is going on with Third Party Developers that make us all the cool applications that truly enhance our mobile experience. So I posted that story, and was going to back off from the topic and tighten up the range of news covered here. But after thinking more about it, I think it is relevant and that we should stay informed. Chris Leckness posted this and I thought you all might want to know more about Handango’s Tightening grip on Developers, and the Developers reaction to Handango. Soti is a powerhouse developer. Handango better take note. Chris writes:

“Well, I am no software developer, but I left Handango as the provider of software sales through our co-branded store based on some shenanigans they pulled back in 2006. It may have been a hasty move, but it was a move I felt comfortable with. I didn’t like the direction this company was going.

“Well, I got a tip from a friend to a post on Smartphone Thoughts that clearly shows that Handango is still moving in the wrong direction. What do you think?

From: Bruce Wayne
Sent: March 27, 2008 11:00 AM
To: ‘Lucius Fox’
Subject: Handango Direction
Importance: High
Hi Lucius,
I am writing to let you know that I and many other developers are not very happy with the direction Handango is taking these days in terms of the increased revenue share (now at 50%). As a result of these changes SOTI is now at a crossroad and seriously considering switching off HCE and moving to another company to process sales. Developers are talking to each other, and there is now a growing consortium of developers looking to dump HCE, I do not think this is the direction that Handango wants to go in. I hope you guys see the light before it is too late.

We have been using Mobihand to power our store for the last year and I have been quite pleased with their performance. How do they treat their developers?”

           

Another new Windows Mobile Related Blog to Launch

 
Tommorow, yet another Windows Mobile related blog is launching. No, it’s not one of mine. I am not creating any new sites for a while, in fact, I am questioning my future with any sites right now. No, this one is created by a couple people blogging at other places that have come together to create this one.  From the soft launch last week, it seems like they will be reviewing software, post info about software news and releases, and offer software contests. They seem to be dedicating it to just Windows Mobile.  (link)

           

Alltel’s Lime Green Motorola Q9c Coming Soon!

What’s more beautiful that a sunset over the ocean? A lime green Windows Mobile device. Yep. This device exsists. It’s the “coming soon” Altel branded, Motorola Q9c. This phone will soon be offered by Alltel, but if green is not your bag, then they will have a boring black one too.

Come on HTC, see this lime green? I want one of your sliders in the same color!

Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that Motorola’s leading smartphone will be available in two color options, MOTO QTM 9c in licorice and MOTO QTM 9c lime, expected this summer. MOTO Q 9c and MOTO Q 9c lime provide on-the-go consumers with the tools and applications needed to keep up with their fast-paced professional and personal lives.

“MOTO Q 9c and MOTO Q 9c lime are great additions to Alltel’s portfolio of handsets,” said Brian Ullem, vice president of device strategy for Alltel Wireless. “This new generation Motorola smartphone provides customers with a powerful platform and a large suite of applications allowing convenience and productivity.”

Check the press release at Motorola.com (image source Mobile Burn)

           

A Unique Data Entry Method… Slideit

I am always looking for easy ways to type using a Pocket PC Phone. I have been really hooked on the keyboard phones lately to avoid the hassle of using the built in keyboard or transcriber. There have been some great keyboard replacements over the years and my favorite one to date has been TenGo. Today, I am here to tell you about a new, unique replacement calle SlideIT. I will giving this one a try tonight.

SlideIT is a breakthrough, speedy and intuitive way to write text on touch screen enabled devices. Instead of the current method of tapping each letter on the screen, the user points to the first letter of a word and slides the stylus to the subsequent letters. .

When reaching the last letter of the word, the user simply lifts the stylus and the recognized word is automatically inserted together with a space after the word. Suitable for writing text in all applications, users love the feel of being able to write quickly and accurately. Speeds of more than 50 words per minute are achievable.

Read more about SlideIT at their website. Read on to see a video demo of SlideIT.

[Read more]

           

Verizon Updates 5 Phones

Gizmodo has their usual spin on what would be good news from Verizon Wireless at CTIA. It can be summed up in one picture that they created…

• HTC Touch (VX6900) - Added to the the Verizon line up. Previously, Sprint users could enjoy this model, now Verizon gets their turn.
• BlackBerry Curve 8330 - Verizon Wireless’ high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized.
• Samsung Alias - I don’t know much about this one, but Giz said it’s slimmed, i’ll believe that.
• MOTO Q9c - Gps in all black.
• LG enV2 - A new, updated LG enV. I enjoyed playing with the enV at CTIA last year.

To read the press releases accompanying these announcements, head over to Gizmodo.

           

EyePhoto - finger-friendly windows mobile photo viewer

Thanks to a heads up from GASUSAN, I saw this cool new item today called EyePhoto from Vito.  What is it?  EyePhoto is a Windows Mobile photo viewer that generates a photo album from all photos, pictures and images on your Pocket PC. Watching photos with EyePhoto is very easy - you just slide your finger on the screen to flip through the pages of your photo album.

This looks to be a very slick means of looking at and sharing some of those great images you’ve been saving on your device.

Check out EyePhoto here and let your fingers do all the walking….

           

Use your device as a projector

Now this could be a very cool addition to use with your device.  With a Pico Projector you can project your text just about anywhere you want. Project on a wall, a ceiling, a shirt or where ever you darn well please.  Would you use a Pico Projector? I think most of us would say absolutely.

Microvision is displaying at CTIA Wireless 2008 this ultra-thin mobile laser projector prototype called SHOW.  It has attracted the attention of a lot of folks and my guess is that you just might see device manufactures embedding a module in some of their handsets.  Imagine, with your mobile device, you will be able to project any kind of digital content in a large, full-color, high-resolution format onto any surface.  Very cool and most definitely very attractive to a wide audience.  This has the potential of being a winner!

Check out some of the possibilities here at the Microvision Video Gallery and some more here at the Application Gallery

           

AT&T WinMo 6.1 ROM Gets Leaked, Build 19209!

We may be getting closer to an “Official” Date that Tilt users will be seeing a ROM Update to Windows Mobile 6.1! We all know that that 6.1 has been out for at least a month now (Leaked versions) in a ton of different Cooked ROMS (Builds 19176 & 19199). Now some members over at XDA have gotten their hands on an official AT&T Kaiser (Tilt) ROM Build 19209. This ROM looks to be the final version or close to it because of all the AT&T Bloatware included with it. Is it possible that AT&T could deliver a ROM update faster than HTC delivering the Video Driver Update?

Of course we all know what goodness comes with WinMo 6.1, but it also looks like this new ROM Build 19209 will come with the HTC Today Screen. Here are some interesting specs of this new ROM Build:

GSM Radio: 1.65.14.06
Protocol version: 25.81.40.02H
CE version: 3.14.502.1
OS build: Windows Mobile 6.1 AKU 1.0.2 Build 19209

Stay tuned for more info.

source: XDA-Developers

           

Blog on the Run with moBlog

Ever wish you could have some of the functionality of a program like Windows Live Writer on your Tilt?  Have a need or desire to blog on the road?  With moBlog, you have an option to do just that.  This freeware application, built on the Compact .Net Framework, supports blogging to Live Spaces, Blogger, and WordPress sites.  While lean on features, it has all of the basic functionality you need to blog on the run.  Check out more after the break.

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The UMPC Evolution: Samsung’s Q1 Ultra

Two years ago a cover story in Smartphone and Pocket PC magazine introduced the UMPC, and Samsung’s Q1 was the first to make it to market. At the end of the article, I asked if the new UMPC would replace the Pocket PC, or whether it would even survive as a platform. Samsung’s second generation device shows that the developers have been paying attention to user feedback. The new Q1 has impressive improvements that make it an attractive computing choice. Recently, at the Consumer Electronics Show, I observed several second generation entries and that more manufacturers were coming out with new models. Apparently the UMPC is gaining a significant foothold as a viable platform and computing alternative.

Outside: first impressions

First impressions and appearances reveal significant differences in the new Q1 compared to the original version. Perhaps most noticeable immediately is the QWERTY keyboard split on either side of the screen near the top. On the left is a joystick with mouse and Internet control buttons. On the right, is the navigation panel with an enter button, and below that are left and right mouse button keys.

Viewing the same seven inch screen is a more pleasurable experience now because instead of the 800 x 600 resolution, it has been bumped up to 1024 x 600 eliminating most sideways scrolling.

Another new feature is the fingerprint scanner on the lower left corner of the front panel. Instead of no camera on the first Q1, there are now two cameras, one in front, one in back.

Along the top, above the screen to the left are a series of indicators for power, battery, and wireless connections. On the left is a bank of four buttons for volume, and a menu for various system controls, and a handy UDF or user defined button. There are dual microphone pinholes at the bottom of the screen. A button that activates the camera is on the top right.

Gone is the CF port replaced by a standard SD card slot on the top of the unit accompanied by a 3.5 mm earphone jack and USB port. On the left is a lanyard connector, an AV Station button, and a locking power slider.

On the right side is the power input and a removable cover housing LAN, USB, and VGA ports. On the bottom right corner you will find the stylus silo. On the backside, there is a battery cover latch and a foldout stand.

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