HTC Dream Spy Shots and Android has an App Store?

Everyone is all excited about Android in hopes that it will provide an Apple-like experience without having to buy Apple. I don’t like Apple personally, but the iPhone is a well done device. I am not one of those that are super excited about Android, but I do look forward to other competitors forcing Windows Mobile into innovation. This week there has been a nice amount of Android news…

• Spy Shots of the HTC Dream have surfaced, nice ones.
• FCC info on the HTC Dream
• Android to have an Application Store

read on for more info…

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Treo 800w USB and Battery Charging Update

There is an update available for the Treo 800w for USB and battery charging.  It is designed to address the following:

USB

If your device fails to detect any of the in-box USB accessories such as the power adapter, headset or sync cable, this update will resolve most of the detection issues.

Battery charging

When plugged into the charger, the device may not charge a completely discharged battery. This scenario is most likely to happen if you leave a dead battery for a few days before trying to charge it in the device.

If the device will not turn on to install the update, you should “trickle charge” the battery by connecting your device to a PC via the USB sync cable. The device will charge slowly by using the PC’s power. When the device’s battery indicator shows 25% charged, you can proceed to install the update.

This update is highly recommended for all Treo 800w devices.

Effect of resets

If you install the Treo 800w USB and Battery Charging Update and perform a soft reset no action is necessary. The Treo 800w USB and Battery Charging Update remains installed after a soft reset.

If you install the Treo 800w USB and Battery Charging Update and perform a hard reset, you will need to re-install the Treo 800w USB and Battery Charging Update.

You can get the Treo 800w USB and Battery Charging Update here.

Evolution and Life

My fellow writer here at MobilitySite, Steve Laser, recently posted an excellent and well thought out piece detailing his frustration with the Windows Mobile platform and mobile devices in general. The essence of what he felt was missing over the last several years was a “leap frogging” or radical change in the technology. His feeling was that we have been seeing the same product and technology essential repeated over and over again.

After giving his views careful thought, I can’t disagree with his observation that there have been few radical changes in the Windows Mobile OS of late. However, where I DO disagree with Steve is concerning his conviction that this a terrible thing.Personally, I don’t want Divergence, I want Evolution…and that is what I get from Windows Mobile.

The sort of sudden advance or change in devices that Steve is understandably longing for, where the rules are all redefined in the face of some technological or marketing breakthrough are rally few and far between. Some may say the iPhone qualifies, but only in that it seems to blur the lines. If you really look at the product, it is more a MID then a Smartphone…and MIDs/UMPCs are nowhere near a mature product type.

The last real breakthrough in technology that I can think of was the birth of “Windowed” computing on home systems superceding the former DOS model. Think about it. There have been very few real changes in the standard PC GUI since the arrival of the Macintosh and Windows 3.0. The operating systems have gotten prettier, certainly, and the technology has increased to bring us ever more power, speed and system complexity…however the core usage model, clicking icons to open folders and applications displayed in individual windows on screen, has really not changed much at all over more then 20 years. Why not? Because it works, plain and simple.

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A NEW podcast has arrived on the scene

…. and you just might like it. 

I have been listening to The Cell Phone Junkie for a little over a year and a half and it is one that I genuinely enjoy.  These guys are always prepared and at the end of every show you always go away saying: “I just got some great information”.  So it appears as if one show is not enough for Mickey and Joey because they have decided to add a NEW show called TCPJ Unlocked.

So why are they calling this cast TCPJ Unlocked?  Simply put, they said “an unlocked handset is free from a carrier’s restrictions, this show will be free from format”.  I like the idea; it is just going to be a free flowing conversation and I am convinced that after you listen to the first show you will add it to your feeds.  With the Unlocked show, you can not only expect to get great information about some facet of the industry but they expect to have some interesting interviews with industry experts, live shows with more interaction from the community and just about anything else they can think of. 

They have recorded and posted the first 2 episodes, so take some time this long weekend and enjoy them.  You can find information and links to everything at www.thecellphonejunkie.com

IE8: The Unboxing Video

The Techno Citric unboxes Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 in its very first review. Watch as he puts new features like Accelerators, Web Slices and In Private Browsing through their paces.

Special thanks to Warner Crocker

Divergence & Death

I love writing for MobilitySite, and I especially like reading what others’ have to say.  But day after day I read the same thing in every blog.  It goes like this, “The new XYZ phone from ABC has this and that feature.”  It’s grown old.  And boring.  I’m thinking of kicking my excitement level up by taking up Bocce Ball or Bowling.  All the devices are the same.  They are no better than what we had four years ago.  They’re just getting bloated with compromised add-ons. 

Windows Mobile is Dead.  Read on to find out why your next device will not have a Windows Mobile OS.

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Humans have short memory

I’m going to post today a fragment of an article where I have removed the Operating System name in a few places. 

[Operating System Name in here] is also a Trojan horse that enables Mr Gates and a horde of even less welcome folks to invade your privacy, exploit your computer and empty your wallet.

So why are all these idiots in computer stores drooling at the prospect? Answer: because [Operating System Name in here] is a monstrous, bloated brute that requires a state-of-the- art PC and two gigabytes of hard disk space before it will even say ‘hello’. This means any consumer foolish enough to want to run [Operating System Name in here] will probably have to buy a new PC.

Does not this sounds familiar to you? is not it like the author is talking about Vista?

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Review: Palm Treo Pro

I read this review this morning on WMExperts as I was traveling from Maine to Vermont on a quick trip and wanted to pass it on because it was a great review.  As many of you know, the Treo Pro is the latest addition from Palm featuring Windows Mobile. We can expect it in the US later this Fall in an unlocked, non-carrier-subsidized form for $549. Clearly a business user device, it has some great features that you just might like and I believe that those of you that love Palm’s form factor will love it no matter what you use a device for. 

So what do the folks at WMExperts think about this new entry from Palm?

The Treo Pro is easily Palm’s best Treo yet. It finally hits all of the feature checkmarks that users have been clamoring for and does it in a way that’s well-integrated with the hardware. Where other smartphones have a tendency to just throw hardware onto a device and leave out making it easy to use, the Treo Pro rarely feels awkward.

Just as importantly, the Treo Pro is the first Treo in a long time to sport a thin and sexy form factor compared to other devices on the market. From the packaging to the look to build quality to feature set to battery life, the Treo Pro is a real winner and doesn’t feel like it’s a year behind the smartphone curve.

It is a well done review that you will enjoy reading.  You can check it out here at WMExperts.

Fujitsu NetBook Gets Official

The Fujitsu Amilo Mini Ui 3520 netbook has finally gotten a nice set of pics and full specs released on the web. The quite acceptable technical specs are as follows:

• 8.9’’ WSVGA Display (1024 x 600)
• Intel® Atom™ Processor N270 (1,6 GHz)
• 1024 MB DDR2 667 MHz RAM
• 60/80 GB HDD (3600 rpm / 4200 rpm)
• LAN, WLAN 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth
• ExpressCard slot
• USB 2.0, VGA out
• Webcam 1,3 Megapixel, Digital Array Microphone
• Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
• 233 x 29 / 36 x 175 mm, 1 kg
• 399€

I definitely like the look of this device, and the 8.9 display is about perfect for me, should I be tempted away from my Eee 701. 10 Inch is too large for me in a netbook, but an Atom would be nice. If they can get this device out quickly in the US and Europe, in a reasonable number of places, and possibly push the price down below that of the MSi Wind, Fujitsu could have a winner. However, the back to school possibilities are rapidly diminishing…and Dell will be shaking the box soon. Time is of the essense for Fujitsu.

(Source – JKK Mobile)

AT&T Motorola Q Global with Windows Mobile 6.1

This past Tuesday, AT&T and HTC released the Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM for the AT&T Tilt and two days later and revamped Motorola Q with Windows Mobile 6.1. Not a bad week, I’d say.

This is a revamped silver version of the Motorola Q that we have all learned to either love or hate, but this one is the 1st Q Variant to come with Windows Mobile 6.1 out of the box. Earlier this month, a Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the Motorola Q9h hit Motorola’s support site.

I think the silver color is nice looking. Even though I’d hate to have to buy a Q to upgrade to 6.1, for those that don’t already have a Q, $149.99 is a great price.

Here is the Press Release…
Motorola and AT&T Inc. today announced the availability of the MOTO Q Global with Windows Mobile 6.1, one of the first devices featuring the latest mobile software on sale to the public. Available exclusively to AT&T customers, the new MOTO Q Global has a bold pinstripe design with eye-catching metallic edging and a robust feature set, including Motorola’s patented CrystalTalk technology for clear calls, assisted GPS via the AT&T network for quick, accurate location fixes, and threaded SMS for chat-like texting.

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MobileMonger

How’s your memory?  Are you always concerned about what is available?  Do you wonder just how it is being used?  Here is a neat program that I found over at PocketNow via WMExperts  that will tell you everything you need to know on how your device’s memory is being used in a graphical format that is very clear. 

From the author:

I recently got a HTC Diamond device and have been very happy with it.  One of the first things I did was load it up with all sorts of applications.  Even though the device has a 4GB Internal Storage card, if you are not careful about where you install things you can run out of Main Memory very fast.

When running out of Main Memory I wondered what was using it.  If you hit the link provided in the Windows Mobile memory settings screen it takes you to an explorer window that shows you all files greater than 64kb.  In Windows CE 1.0 this was probably helpful, but they don’t seem to have updated it since.

The usual tool I use for this job on the PC is the last free version of Space Monger.  I tried to point SpaceMonger at my phone through ActiveSync WMDC but found since its not a real redirection SpaceMonger couldn’t do it.  So I wrote an equivalent for Windows Mobile - MobileMonger.

Download:

• Just the CAB - I know what what I’m doing.
• Windows Installer for ActiveSync/WMDC.

You may need .NET Compact Framework 3.5 if you don’t have it already.

MobileMonger

Another New Window Mobile GUI

Looks a tad like the SPB’s Product, but hey…

Here are some features:

• customize 4 independent desktops
• list the call history
• find a contact and make a call, write SMS or e-mail
• list in all the actions you did with yrgo sorted by the count of the processed actions (the most used actions are at the top of the list)
• browse your Programs folder or entire file system
• easily run the Control panel items (DWSTT)
• browse all your office files (notes, tasks, Word documents, etc.)
• see the system information

Video after the jump…

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Want a Free Bluetooth Headset?

There is a promotion going on over at the MoGo Mouse site where you can get a Free Bluetooth Headset with the purchase of any MoGo Mouse.  The headset is compatible with all Bluetooth enabled Cell Phones, PDA and other devices and has an adjustable ear hook for comfort and fit.  You get 8 Hours Talk Time, 300 Hours of Standby time and a 30 feet connection radius.  Not bad as an “extra” if you are having a desire to get a MoGo Mouse.

Check out the Free Headset here at MoGo Mouse.

QWERTY for Kids

Is your child heavily into texting or emails? Do you wish to encourage them to keep in touch with you? Do they need a phone with more smartphone characteristics then your average basic handset? Do they need a music player or media player they can keep with them? Are you concerned about their wherabouts and safety? Then this device may be just what you have been looking for in a phone for tech savvy children.

The Blitz from Verizon is intended for US school kids and is priced at  $69.99. It features such child safe security features as a location sharing application, Chaperone Child, to track your kids on-line.

Other features include

• Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
• 2.2-inch 220×176 pixels screen with 262K colors
• 1.3MP camera
• Bluetooth
• Mobile email and IM support
• Music player compatible with V CAST Music with Rhapsody,
• VZ Navigator
• MicroSD memory card slot
• Voice commands
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Alarm clock
• 1000 phone book entries
• 280 minutes of talk time
• 280 hours of standby time.

All in all, quite a little wonder. Heck, I would be tempted to get one for myself.

AT&T Expands International Data Offerings for iPhone

AT&T Inc. today announced expanded international data offerings to help keep iPhone customers connected around the world. Beginning tomorrow, AT&T will offer two new plans that accommodate iPhone customers’ increasing reliance on data services while traveling abroad. The two new plans, which offer 100 megabytes (MB) or 200 MB a month, can potentially save customers hundreds of dollars compared to pay-per-use international data roaming charges.

For discounted international data usage in 67 countries,¹ the 100 MB iPhone plan is available for an additional $119.99 a month, while the 200 MB plan costs an additional $199.99 a month.² These new plans are in addition to existing plans for smartphones, including iPhone, which offer 20 MB and 50 MB in the same countries. There are no long-term commitments required, so customers can add or remove these plans to their existing packages on an as-needed basis.

“AT&T has worked diligently to provide affordable options for international roaming because the feature-rich mobile experience of iPhone is indispensable to users,” said Bill Hague, executive vice president of International for AT&T’s wireless operations. “With these new international data plans, iPhone users can access more data in more countries for less cost.”

With the largest global footprint of any wireless provider, only AT&T customers can make and receive calls in more than 200 countries and send e-mail and browse the Web in more than 150 countries, including more than 60 countries with high speed third-generation (3G) coverage. AT&T also offers voice and data coverage on 120 major cruise ships.

iPhone 3G is one of more than 40 world devices AT&T offers, more than any other U.S. wireless service provider. AT&T customers can take their new iPhone 3G devices around the world, including Japan and South Korea, which require a device that operates on 2100 MHz.

With access to full HTML e-mail, visual voice mail, enhanced Web browsing and other feature-rich applications that can use a significant amount of data, iPhone users may need more than they think while traveling abroad. Just 2 MB of data use at pay-per-use data rates of $0.0195 per kilobyte would cost almost $40, making these new plans very valuable for customers traveling outside the U.S.

iPhone customers can also save money by following some simple tips, including keeping data roaming in the preset off position, using Wi-Fi when possible, turning off automatic checks for e-mail and setting the usage tracker to zero at the beginning of a trip to monitor use.

To help travelers stay connected and manage their wireless costs, AT&T offers a variety of resources. AT&T’s Travel Guide (www.att.com/travelguide) allows customers to create an itinerary with rate information for up to 10 international destinations as well as review discounted voice and data packages.

For more information about international coverage and rates, customers can visit www.att.com/wirelessinternational or call 866-MOBILITY.