Skype for WinMo Leaves Beta

Great news for those of us who use Skype on Windows Mobile devices. Skype for Windows Mobile 3.0 Beta is no longer Beta as the Gold release was yesterday, and to celebrate some additional features were added to this great application.

New and exciting for the release is the ability to share files with other Skype users, including photos, MP3 files, MS Office files or any other documents. On top of that, Skype for WinMo can handle SMS messages much more economically then your standard mobile operator. Sadly, not for free like the voice calls (assuming you are using WiFi) but still a good value. Skype is one of the few applications which I use every single day on multiple platforms, and I have watched it evolve from a one note Internet Telephony program to a full and powerful communications suite…and it’s FREE. Tough to beat that.

Skype 3.0 for Windows Mobile runs on Windows Mobile 5, 6, and 6.1, with or without a touchscreen and requires 12MB of storage The installer may be downloaded from HERE.

Remember, data usage costs still apply when using Skype, if relevant.

Also use iPhone/iPod Touch? Check out the new Skype for iPhone v1.1 release HERE.

           

Celebrate Independence Day with Handmark Fireworks!

What better way to be festive for the American Independence Day, than with a newly updated application!  Links to the FREE download can be found at the bottom on the article.

Handmark Fireworks is a simple FREE application, showing sequences of fireworks flying and exploding into the air. Perfect for Independence Day, as 4th of July is traditionally a time for fireworks and celebrations in the USA, or for any other celebration when fireworks are used!

Handmark Fireworks features a selection of patriotic backgrounds including the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore and the Stars and Stripes, and offers a choice of stirring tunes including the Star Spangled Banner and Stars and Stripes Forever!

Handmark Fireworks is available for Windows Mobile® and BlackBerry® smartphones and for iPhone and iPod touch. The BlackBerry version doesn’t include music, so sorry BlackBerry-owners - this time round you’ll have to hum your own marches! What better way to celebrate 4th of July than with some Fireworks? Download your copy today - it’s available for a limited time only! Oh, and did I mention, it’s FREE?!

Windows Mobile (touchscreen): http://www.astraware.com/ppc/fireworks

Windows Mobile (non-touchscreen): http://www.astraware.com/wmsp/fireworks

BlackBerry: http://www.astraware.com/blackberry/fireworks

           

Advanced (but simple) Calculator for Windows Mobile

Here’s the scenario.  You’re taking an advanced math class that requires a calculator with advanced features.  You already paid God-knows-how-much for a nice WinMo smartphone, and can’t afford a fancy calculator.

What do you do?  Make your smartphone a fancy calculator.  Calctor, by Tommy Carlier, is a calculator with advanced features that keeps it simple.  This is Calctor.

Very simple.  I like that variable feature.  To be honest, I like it much better than the default WinMo calculator.  Calctor also comes with documentation for all of its commands and functions.

It’s written in C#, so you’ll have to install the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 before you can run it, but don’t most phones have it by default now?  It’s also open-source, so folks can mess with the source code and figure out how it works.  I’m currently in the process of porting it to BlackBerry.

Give it a try!

 

They also have a desktop version that works the same way.  I use that too!

           

SBSH releases CalendarTouch 2.1

 

Introduction:

Hot off the heels of the release of CalendarTouch 2.0 (reviewed here), SBSH has released the next  iteration of the software, CalendarTouch 2.1.  This is typical of SBSH.  They tend to be very aggressive in their release and development cycles.  Personally, it is something I really appreciate and respect.  SBSH is one of my favorite developers in the mobile software industry.

The review linked above provides a good overview of what Calendar Touch has to offer.  My intention here is not to repeat a full review of the software, but rather, to comment on some of the changes made to the software and my overall impression of it and the path the SBSH seems to be headed down with this program.

[Read more]

           

Microsoft to Compete with Jott Using Recite

For quite some time I’ve been a happy user of Jott.  In case you’ve not tried Jott before, Jott is an application “in the cloud” that allows you to “capture thoughts, create to-dos and set reminders
with a simple phone call.”   It does a lot more too.  You can learn more at Jott.com.

Until recently, Jott was totally free.  A couple of months ago they started charging for the service, making me somewhat unhappy.  Along comes Microsoft with some sweet competition!

Microsoft Recite is a search technology for your voice that runs on Windows Mobile* devices. With Microsoft Recite, you can use your voice to easily store, search and retrieve the things you want to remember, where and when you need them. Microsoft Recite is available as a free technology preview beginning February 16, 2009.

*Microsoft Recite can be used on devices running Windows Mobile version 6.0 or higher. Not sure what you’re running? A complete list of devices can be found at http://recite.microsoft.com

It does not work on all Windows Mobile devices, just several Windows Mobile Smartphones.  Here’s the current supported list:

AT&T BlackJack II
AT&T Pantech Duo
HTC Diamond
Motorola Q9C
Moto Q9m
Palm Treo 800w
Palm Treo Pro
SMT 5800
T-Mobile Dash
T-Mobile Shadow
T-Mobile Wing

I’ll be trying it out, and planning to hopefully save a few subscription dollars.

           

Motorola Fully Assimilated?

If reports I got today are true, then it appears to be pretty cut and dried that the Motorola we once knew is not only dead, but being buried and danced upon even as we speak. The proud producer of such past gems as the RAZR and the Q (which I still use and love) spun off the foundering handset division (as most of you know) last year to begin the current debacle.

Phone Scoop is reporting  that Motorola’s handset division is on the verge of laying off FIFTY PERCENT of their employees, according to “someone familiar with Motorola’s plans”. Cuts that deep would severely limit the companies ability to release a full line of new handsets in 2009 (not to mention any hope of innovations or surprises for 2010 and after) and would seem therefore like slow, lingering suicide…but wait there is more.

Phone Scoop is also reporting that Motorola is planning to pass on showing up at the CTIA Wireless show in April. Since this is the largest wireless trade show in the US, they are tacitly conceding that they have nothing new to offer the US market in 2009.

Driving a final nail, Phone Scoop then goes on to state that  this same source says that Motorola is only going to offer a dozen or so new handsets in 2009 (after firing half your workforce and therefore demoralizing the rest, little wonder). All twelve of these handsets will run Google’s Android platform according to the report, which also says that Motorola took an Android ONLY pledge last year, ditching Windows Mobile. I have yet to see confirmation anywhere of that last bit, and there is no comment from anyone as to what this means to the diverse Motorola prototypes for 2009 leaked recently. I admit I am dubious, since as recently as the end of October Sanjay Jha, Motorola’s co-chief executive, told employees that he WAS planning to jettison some of Motorola’s older operating systems to focus on the Android platform, but in addition to Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, according to Information Week (quoting the WSJ).

If all this is true (or even half true), it is a serious blow to WinMo’s marketplace prestige (for all our scorn there are STILL a lot of RAZRs sold in the US), but a mortal wound to what was left of Moto. Android was a qualified hit with the tech crowd, and has a fairly bright future, but I don’t see Android powering any consumer market worldbeaters in 2009. For a company like Motorola to put ALL their eggs in Android’s basket is asking for one messy omelet.

           

Windows Mobile 6 Deadline is Today, Hurry!

If you are putting off upgrading to WM 6 on a phone that has it available, today may be your last chance to legally download the software an get yourself WM6.

For those of you that have the HTC S621, HTC S620, HTC P4350, HTC P3300 or the HTC Advantage and if by some chance you have NOT upgraded the ROM to WM6, if you want it you only have a few days left to get it.  According to a HTC Support Bulletin, October 31st is the last day to take advantage of the free upgrade to Windows Mobile 6. They have indicated that the upgrade link will be removed from HTC’s website at 12:00 pm (noon) GMT on October 31st.  If you haven’t upgraded yet, this may be the last chance you will have to get it otherwise you will be stuck with your current version.

What version do you have? To check it, go to Start > Settings > System tab > About.

           

Are you a Windows Mobile Addict?

Here’s something fun I composed over at The Mobile Spoon.

A short “examine yourself” test consisting of 8 questions to see if you are addicted to Windows Mobile.

I’m sure many of you already know the answer (of course you are all addicted!), but still, I would like to invite you to make the test and fill in your score.

So go on, it’s about time you find out how bad is your addiction .

Click here and find out: Are You Addicted to your Windows Mobile?

(I will publish the results in a couple of days).

           

Scroll-bar and Menus Tweaks

Yesterday I’ve posted about some concerns I have with new Windows Mobile devices which lack any hardware button.

In the post Windows Mobile Devices with no Hardware Buttons I gave two examples of UI controls that are really not finger friendly: menus and scroll-bars.

Reading the comments I realized that many Windows Mobile users actually prefer as many hardware buttons as possible, because using them is easy, does not require “looking at the screen” and faster than any other alternative. Exactly my point! [Read more]

           

Sync Your Mac and Windows Mobile With SyncMate

UPDATE - check out JakeRich’s review here

from SmartphoneThoughts

“SyncMate FREE Edition is a perfect solution for information management. It is FREE and easy-to-use synchronizer for Mac and Pocket PC, that will help you keep all your documents, text messages, contacts, calendar entries and events and other stuff well organized. With SyncMate Free edition you can synchronize applications like Address Book, iCal, etc. Also you can easily read SMS directly from your Mac, check detailed device information (battery state, etc) and visually analyze memory usage. SyncMate Expert Edition (available for a small fee) grants you even more synchronization possibilities. With Expert Edition it is very handy to synchronize time and share Internet between your Mac and your mobile device, which is very important for all mobile people. Synchronize iTunes and iPhoto to keep all your favorite music and pictures within a click of a button.”

Anyone with a mac probably has struggled with this concept for some time… I know I have. I am eager to give this a spin and will report back soon.

           

RELEASE: Spb Online

Spb Software, the world’s leading maker of Windows Mobile software releases Spb Online to end-users. Spb Online is a set of attractive online services that share a practical user interface and make superior quality mobile entertainment available on handsets at a single fixed-price fee (no subscription). The services offered include Mobile TV, Online Radio, News, Weather, Online Games, and On-device Catalog — all subject to automatic updates and powered by Spb’s exclusive interface engine and patent-pending TV technology.

Spb Online is robust and easy to use even for novice smartphone users. All of Spb Online services support adaptive skins, smart scrolling, 3D transition effects, and one hand navigation.

[Read more]

           

Are you a Windows Mobile Power User?

Recently, a good friend and writer here at Mobilitysite posted a little Quiz on his site to judge your WinMo Geekness. I can’t tell you who or what site right now or it would give the answers away. I am going to add a poll after the break as well to see where you feel you are on being a power user.

1. What’s the difference between Windows CE and Windows Mobile?
2. What is a soft key?
3. What does this icon indicate when on:
4. In order to install an application you need to click on:
5. Main difference between Standard edition and professional edition is?
6. This icon indicates that :
7. To completely remove a program you need to…
8. The best free alarm application for Windows Mobile is…

Myself or our mystery friend will link his results and answers in a couple days!  Make sure to take the poll after the break and also don’t forget about the “E-Ten Glofiish 610 Contest” ending on my wedding anniversary.

Head over to Mobilitysite to take a poll about your Power User Uberness…

           

Windows Mobile Quick Reference Chart

We get a lot of new people to Windows Mobile here at TiltSite.com and I know that initially it can be very frustrating learning the basics. But as you continue to learn about Windows Mobile, it starts to get easier and finding information becomes easier as well. Over at Big Brother MobilitySite.com, Veteran :) Mobility Blogger Jack Cook posted a handy little Quick Reference Guide that I thought I would share with everyone.

Learn about the Windows Mobile Standard and Professional:
1. User Interface
2. Navigation
3. Customizing

Designed for the beginner.

Free for individuals!

Download the Windows Mobile Quick Reference Guide PDF

License required for corporate use - contact webmaster at pocketpctalk.com for details and customization options.

           

Is that a widget on your screen?

You’re probably very familiar with the plethora of widget or gadget technologies on the web or your desktop by now – Vista Sidebar, Windows Sideshow, Google, Yahoo and Microsofts web and desktop offerings as well as a collection of Web 2.0 offerings that it’s pointless to try and enumerate because it would already be out of date.

Well, they continue to spread and Access (the folks behind the NetFront browser which has been doing a great job on Palm and Windows Mobile for several years) have brought a gadget runtime framework to Windows Mobile Professional (aka Touch or PocketPC) devices that they call Netfront Browser Widgets.

Installation and setup on my HTC Diamond was quick and simple. You need to register at the Netfront Browser Widgets site and from there download the installer to your phone (though you can do it over the air I found it easier via the desktop browser)

[Read more]

           

New version of EQO available - Part II

As promised, here is a follow-up to Part I of this review.

Let me start off by saying that I took a week to mess around with the new version of EQO (pronounced like "echo"). If I didn’t already mention it, it is a beta, so know that when reading this. There may be fixes underway to the issues I have noted.

I have good and bad things to report. Let me start with the bad.

[Read more]