Windows Mobile Pocket PC & Symbian Smartphone software and freeware, reviews, tips & tricks

Feb 25 The Microsoft Origami Project and will it change our lives?
Found in:Mobile News, UMPC,

Rumors are running around the web about a new Microsoft gadget codenamed "Origami" that will unfold on March 2nd. Interestingly, in 2001 National Semiconductor showcased a concept prototype device called Origami, which it said could morph into eight different types of gadgets by folding and pivoting.

About the size and weight of a small digital camcorder, the National Geode ‘Origami’ Mobile Communicator is a flexible unit that folds and unfolds to perform eight popular consumer electronics functions in one easy-to-use device.

The Origami prototype is described as "a flexible device that folds and unfolds to perform eight popular consumer electronics functions in one easy-to-use device.". The device was said to be 7.5 x 4 x 1.5 inches in size and will weight about 10 ounces.


Origami prototype will have various configurations to provide the following eight functions:

* digital camera
* video camcorder
* smartphone
* MP3 player
* PDA
* Internet access and Internet picture frame
* email access
* video conferencing

When you visit the www.origamiproject.com website a nice good looking Flash animation tells you :
“Hello". “Do you know me?”. “Do you know what I can do?”. “and where I can go?”. “or how I can change your life?”. “you will ... "

The mystery should be resolved on 03.02.2006 so lets wait and see what they will offer.
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Feb 01 VoIP Application with support for Windows Mobile 5 Dual-Mode Devices
Found in:Mobile News, VoIP,

SIPquest, developer of converged Multimedia Client Software announced today that its Mobile Console is the first VoIP application to support Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 is the newest operating system to support dual-mode for PDA and smartphone devices.

Delivering services over WiFi, WiFi and GSM and WiFi and CDMA networks, the Mobile Console application will allow dual mode device users in both wireless and WiFi networks to have one, optimal and seamless experience.

As it seems from a recent release, the Mobile Console’s single GUI and support for unified numbering consolidates both WiFi and cellular identities and is interoperable with IP PBX’s and softswitches.

The new application will also include a "Network Aware" feature that will allow users more options and personal choices when placing phone calls. For example the feature will recommend a network connection option based on availability for better quality and lowered costs or users will have the option to choose which ever factor they prefer.

"We have a track record of supporting innovative operating systems such as Windows Mobile and are proud to be the first VoIP application to support version 5.0," said David Hattey, president and CEO or SIPquest.

The Mobile Console application will be displayed at the 3GSM Conference in Barcelona Spain for February 13-16 2006. For more on this please visit www.sipquest.com

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Jan 26 VITO TaskSwitcher for Smartphones released!
Found in:Software,

January 25, 2006 - VITO Technology releases TaskSwitcher for Windows Mobile Smartphones. This well-known and highly efficient utility has already become popular among PPC users and now is ready to conquer the new plaform. VITO TaskSwitcher now supports all Windows Mobile powered Smartphones.

VITO TaskSwitcher allows you to switch easily between your running tasks or stop them from a pop-up list:

- call TaskSwitcher list using the assigned button
- in the list navigate with joystick buttons
- to switch to a highlighted item press Enter
- Autoselect function also automatically switches to a highlighted item after 5 seconds
- to close the highlighted application press the right navigation button.
- to close the active application or all running applications choose "Close active" or "Close all"
- to close TaskSwitcher press the left navigation button

There are also free skins available at VITO TaskSwitcher home page



Useful links:

Buy VITO TaskSwitcher
VITO TaskSwitcher home page

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Jan 04 Motorola announces new LInux A910 Smartphone
Found in:Devices, Smartphone, Linux,

Motorola announces a Linux-Java smartphone under the name A910. It has built in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, with a 1.3 megapixel camera. The smartphone has a TransFlash (micro-SD) slot, with voice recognition software. The A910 is expected to be available in 1st Quarter of 2006. Whether its available in our shores, that's an unknown.

Streamlined and distinctive, the Motorola A910 delivers a full suite of intuitive productivity tools to seamlessly manage your busy life whether at work or vacationing in Belize. This advanced mobile device can serve as your main means of communication providing everything you need and want in a handset. Too busy to dial a number? With sophisticated voice features and WiFi connectivity* via UMA technology, all you need to do is speak your command and the handset takes care of the rest. The A910 does it all - not only can you listen to MP3 songs, create a personalized soundtrack to simultaneously play along with a selection of your favorite photos that you took with the 1.3 Megapixel camera with Lumi-LED Flash™, you can also manage email* and stay mobile. Tuned in to you, the Motorola A910 packs next generation Linux-Java operating system, Bluetooth® wireless technology, J2ME™ performance, and enhanced text prediction features for a simplified yet powerful mobile experience.



Stress-Free

The perfect way to balance your life in the palm of your hand. Utilizing a balanced Linux-Java operating system and Wi-Fi connectivity, the Motorola A910 surpasses its predecessors with user-friendly features - everything from text messaging to email management. Experience efficient text messaging with prediction features, intelligent addressing, and seamless language switching, or organize on-the-go with MOTOSYNC™* for managing emails, calendars, and contacts. To fit your fast-paced life, the superior J2ME performance will allow you to do it all with precision and speed.



In-Touch

Snap high quality images via the integrated megapixel camera with photo lighting, then create a mobile slideshow of your moment enhanced with MP3 tunes to send to friends and family. Or capture your achievements in real time with video record and playback, and then share via advanced Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)*.

Supreme Intelligence

This smart mobile believes in prioritization. With the A910 you can answer a call, Instant Message* and email* while sending off a multimedia slideshow to a friend* – this handset ensures that you can multi-task with the utmost of ease and confidence. It can even keep track of those lucky people you communicate with most and automatically place them at the top of your contact list for easy access. This is one smart mobile.

SUMMARY OF FEATURES:

• UMA technology allowing seamless access to GSM and GPRS features over WLAN (802.11b/g)
• Next generation Linux-Java software platform
• 1.3 Megapixel camera with Self Portrait Viewfinder External Display and photo lighting
• Video capture, playback, and 3GPP Streaming
• Progressive downloading to view video clips as they download
• Streaming audio with high quality audio enhancements via headset
• 3D audio and shared media player with multiple audio codecs thru the enhanced mini-USB headset jack
• Removable TransFlash™ memory card slot
• Speaker independent voice recognition - simply state the name or digit — no prerecording required
• Enhanced lighting of the keypad, displays, flash and camera
• Integrated Bluetooth® wireless technology
• MOTOSYNC software with ActiveSync and Airsync for personal desktop integration and enterprise IT integration

The Motorola A910 is expected to be available in Q1 2006. For more information regarding pricing and product availability in your region, please contact your local Motorola representative.

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Mar 03 TomTom GO 910, GO 710 and GO 510 comming soon
Found in:Mobile News, GPS,

TomTom, one of the leading producers of the navigation solution, unveiled the future of portable car navigation with the announcement of the new, smart and easy to use TomTom GO range and a collection of new and updated TomTom PLUS content & services. Gaining on the success of the previous Tomtom Go in 2004, which was an instant hit then, TomTom is all set to repeat the same performance or if not double it, with it's nree TomTom Go series. With an ever growing demand for navigation systems, TomTom has come up with a robust and sophisticated products in TomTom GO series to meet the Driver's needs.

The award winning GO range includes three models, the TomTom GO 910, TomTom GO 710 and TomTom GO 510. The new Go Range features significant improvements in design and usability, including hardware, software, connectivity and new content & services. Users can now connect to TomTom HOME through their computer, thanks to the new HOME Dock technology. The pre-installed Safety Camera database is now available across the range, making it even easier and safer to navigate to your destination. Among the three, leading the pack is the TomTom GO 910, which is the first ever portable navigation device featuring multi-continental map coverage including the whole of Europe, the USA and Canada. It also includes some extras such as, fully integrated MP3 player for playing audiobooks, music and podcasts as well as text-to-speech functionality.

The new TomTom GO range is comprised of three new products. Two of the products are the TomTom GO 910 and the TomTom GO 510 - both of which will be available here in the US. The third new mid range product is called the TomTom GO 710 which will be available in Europe for now.  The new TomTom GO range features:

• New design
• High resolution 4 inch LCD touch screen
• Precise GPS performance
• Hundreds of features and software improvements
• TomTom HOME dock and TomTom HOME software to manage, download, and store additional content from your PC
• Hands-free calling functionality for easy and safe driving
• Enhanced map coverage - the 910 is the first ever portable navigational device featuring multi-continental map coverage including the US, Canada and the whole of Europe without additional charge
• Integrated MP3 player
• Text to speech functionality for spoken text messages

Meanwhile, TomTom has also updated and enhanced the TomTom PLUS content and services with the new Audiobooks and Buddies features. They’ve also improved TomTom Weather and TomTom Traffice service.

You can expect to find the new products starting in the middle of April.

 

TomTom Unveils Next Generation in Car Navigation; TomTom to Launch State of the Art Range of New Portable In-Car Navigation Products and Series of New and Updated Content & Services
CONCORD, Mass. –(Business Wire)– March 1, 2006 TomTom, the leading navigation solution provider worldwide, today unveiled the future of portable car navigation with the announcement of the new, smart and easy to use TomTom GO range and a complete collection of new and updated TomTom PLUS content and services.

“With the launch of TomTom GO in 2004, we created a new category of personal car navigation solutions. It was an immediate hit and we have since shaped and led the industry almost single handedly, outselling any other car navigation device on the market,” said Harold Goddijn, TomTom’s chief executive officer. “As one of the best selling consumer electronic brands, we see a fast growing category that requires products to be robust and sophisticated in order to meet drivers’ needs. The product range we unveil today is the next generation TomTom GO, featuring significant improvements in design and usability, including hardware, software, connectivity and new content and services.”

New TomTom GO range

The new product line reinvents last year’s award-winning range and includes two models, the TomTom GO 910 and the TomTom GO 510. A third, mid-range model, the TomTom GO 710, will also be available in Europe. Building on the features that have made TomTom devices so popular, the new TomTom GO range offers:

– New cutting-edge design

– High resolution, extra wide, 4 inch LCD touch screen, making the new TomTom GO range even easier to use

– Even more precise GPS performance

– Hundreds of features and software improvements

– TomTom HOME dock and TomTom HOME software to easily manage, download and store additional content from your computer

– Renowned hands-free calling functionality for easy and safe driving

– Enhanced map coverage - the TomTom GO 910 is the first ever portable navigation device featuring multi-continental map coverage including the US, Canada and the whole of Europe at no additional charge

– A fully integrated MP3 player for playing music, audiobooks, and podcasts

– Text to speech functionality for spoken text messages

New and updated TomTom PLUS content & services

TomTom PLUS is TomTom’s offering of content and services to enhance users’ navigation experience and make journeys as stress-free, personal, safe and fun as possible. Along with TomTom’s already substantial TomTom PLUS offering (Voices, Traffic and Weather), the company has added Audiobooks and Buddies. In addition, the company has improved TomTom Weather and expanded the TomTom Traffic service to include Road Conditions. TomTom PLUS is now available throughout the U.S. and Europe.

The new product range is expected to be available in mid-April 2006. Additional product details including price on the new GO range will be announced soon.

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Jan 26 ACCESS rebrands Palm OS to Garnet OS
Found in:Mobile News, Palm, Garnet,

ACCESS CO., LTD., has revealed the new ACCESS Powered logo and announced it is renaming Palm OS to Garnet OS. The new ACCESS Powered logo replaces the Palm Powered logo and is now used with products from both ACCESS and PalmSource, Inc. (now known as ACCESS Systems Americas, Inc.).

Back in October 2006 ACCESS announced that its subsidiary PalmSource, Inc. had begun the process of changing its name to ACCESS. As part of that process, along with its previously announced agreement with Palm, Inc., to sell PalmSource’s rights in the Palm Trademark Holding Company to Palm, ACCESS is renaming all products that originally had Palm-based names. The first product to be renamed is Palm OS, which is now known as Garnet OS.

ACCESS customers may include the ACCESS Powered logo on their ACCESS compatible devices, either on the hardware itself, or on splash screens. The logo may also be included on customers’ packaging, marketing and sales collateral, tradeshow exhibits and other promotional items.

The Garnet OS supports a range of screen resolutions and expanded support for wireless connections including Bluetooth. It also includes multimedia capabilities, a suite of security options, and support for a broad set of languages. Garnet OS also offers flexibility for licensees to customize the software to build devices for different market segments such as phone, multimedia, educational or enterprise.

Garnet OS is delivered to licensees as part of the Product Development Kit (PDK). A Software Development Kit (SDK), that allows third party developers to create applications or test their compatibility with Garnet OS, is also available on the ACCESS Developer Network website.

In addition to Garnet OS, ACCESS is developing its next-generation platform for mobile phones and converged devices, called ACCESS Linux Platform (ALP). This is a fully integrated, commercial grade Linux-based platform for mobile phones and devices. The ACCESS Linux Platform will include a Garnet OS compatibility layer, currently known as GHost (Garnet Host)

ACCESS says that most properly written 68K Garnet OS applications will run on ACCESS Linux Platform-based devices with little or no modification.

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May 12 Windows CE 6 announced - Windows Mobile 6.0 coming?
Found in:Mobile News, Pocket PC, Smartphone, Crossbow, WM6,

Microsoft have announced the release of Windows CE 6. Since the Windows CE is the underlying core of our Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone devices, this is an important announcement since it shows the possible way, Windows Mobile might goes.

We may expect that Windows CE 6 will be a basis for Windows Mobile 6.0 (known as "Crossbow") and maybe also for Windows Mobile code name "Photon" (the one that finally unites both Smartphone and Pocket PC into one platform). Windows CE 6 will be the next generation of Microsoft's industry-leading, real-time software used to build customized operating systems for devices such as Internet Protocol (IP) set-top-boxes, Global Positioning System (GPS)-based devices and industrial automation and medical devices.

With the redesigned operating system kernel architecture, expanded capacity for simultaneous processes and a newly integrated tool set, Windows CE 6 will help device makers more quickly create devices that support a range of applications for high-demand categories. Windows CE 6 delivers an even more integrated embedded development environment that is now available via a plug-in for Visual Studio 2005.

The redesigned operating system kernel architecture supports significantly more simultaneously running processes, from 32 up to 32,000 simultaneous processes, each of which run in a 2GB virtual memory address space. This allows developers to incorporate larger numbers of more complex applications into more intelligent devices that offer advanced multimedia and Web services and wireless networking than before. Windows CE 6 provides continuity of features and functionality from previous generations of Windows CE, allowing device makers to utilize their previous investments in user interfaces, applications, middleware and drivers.

he beta release of Windows CE 6 is available to device makers, developers and partners at the Microsoft Mobile & Embedded DevCon 2006. More information about Windows CE 6 can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce.

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Jan 05 3400 LS-GPS - New Bluetooth Car Kit by Parrot
Found in:Accessories,

Parrot, global innovator in Bluetooth(R) technology for the automotive market, has developed another worldwide industry first with the new 3400 LS-GPS kit. Used in conjunction with a Smartphone or a PDA with mapping software, the Parrot 3400LS-GPS enables a full navigation system in your vehicle, combining a Bluetooth(R) hands-free kit with a color LCD screen and GPS antenna.

The 3400 LS-GPS kit has been awarded by CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) as an Innovations 2006 Design and Engineering Showcase Honoree in the Vehicle/Mobile Electronics category. It's the second year in a row that CEA has recognized Parrot's leadership in development of products using Bluetooth(R) technology with an Innovations honor.

Parrot's 3400 LS-GPS is "always on" and constantly sends the vehicle's position to your Smartphone or PDA. It's compatible with most navigation software, including Navigon, Route 66, Tom Tom, gate5, CoPILOT and Wayfinder. Audio directions are easily heard through the vehicle's speakers. The kit is designed to be compatible with Bluetooth-enabled Smartphones or PDAs so that the consumer can easily synchronize the kit with their exiting mobile handset and carrier. The easy-to-read color screen displays your phonebook information, and provides caller ID by phone number, name and even photos of images entered into your phonebook.

Once the 3400 LS-GPS is installed, simply position your Smartphone or PDA in its cradle, start the engine and you're connected instantly and wirelessly. You can make calls, take calls and access the phone book through voice recognition and voice activation features that allow you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes focused on the road, while being able to glance easily at your GPS screen.

The new Parrot 3400 LS-GPS joins a broad line-up of plug-and-play and professionally installed car kits from Parrot, including EASY-DRIVE (Plug & Play), CK3000 EVOLUTION (with trimline keypad), CK3100 (with LCD), 3200 LS-COLOR (with color LCD for Photo Caller ID) and the new Parrot RHYTHM N' BLUE auto stereo with integrated Bluetooth phone function. For more information call 1-877-9-PARROT or visit

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Oct 24 GSmart i200 DVB-H Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 3.0 TV Phone announced
Found in:Devices, Smartphone, WM5,

GIGABYTE Communications has just unveiled GSmart i200, the first DVB-H Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 3.0 TV Phone at 3GSM World Congress Asia 2006.

GIGABYTE Communications is proud to demonstrate the GSmart i200 phone, particularly live mobile broadcasting using Penthera viewer to provide a VGA viewing experience," said Christopher Chen, General Manager of GIGABYTE Communications’ Global Sales and Marketing Division. "By providing a complete, open-standard, feature-rich solution set, the GSmart i200 addresses the needs of operators worldwide who are seeking devices that support revenue growth opportunities associated with mobile broadcast services.

This mobile broadcast demonstration will utilize Penthera’s end-to-end, mobile broadcast software suite, Innoxius’ mobile broadcast head-end and transmission solution, and GIGABYTE’s GSmart i200. At the head-end, Innoxius Technologies’ hardware is integrated with Penthera’s Broadcast Services Platform, a DVB-IPDC-compliant control and services solution which enables such unique services as media casting, interactivity, targeted advertising, and usage tracking. Broadcasters and mobile operators can use this system to develop a range of transaction-based revenue opportunities.

On the mobile client, GIGABYTE has integrated Penthera’s industry-leading and field-proven mobile client application, Penthera Viewer, along with Siano Mobile Silicon’s Mobile Digital TV receiver/demodulator. Penthera Viewer enables mobile devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs and laptops to receive DVB-H- and DAB-IP-based TV, radio and media transmissions through a user-friendly, Virtual Set Top Box on the device. As a multi-platform, multi-OS, multi-bearer, mobile broadcast client solution, Penthera Viewer addresses the needs of broadcasters, manufacturers and operator worldwide.

More information you can find here.

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Mar 09 Trend Micro Protection for Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0
Found in:Mobile News, Smartphone, Pocket PC, Symbian, WM5,

Trend Micro has unveiled enhanced antivirus and SMS anti-spam protection for data-centric wireless mobile devices running on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0. Trend Micro Mobile Security helps mobile operators, enterprises, and consumers protect themselves from malicious mobile code like viruses and SMS spam. By protecting their mobile workforce, large organisations can help ensure employee productivity and secure the extended company network from malicious attack.

Trend Micro Mobile Security also enables mobile operators to provide value-added security services to their subscribers. “The number of people using data-centric devices and Smartphones continues to grow, and, as a result, so does the potential security threat to users,” said Raimund Genes, Trend Micro chief technologist of anti-malware. “The network boundary has shifted, and organizations and operators now need to consider extending security measures to protect user devices. Trend Micro is focused on providing such additional network-wide protection as threats evolve and diversify.”

Trend Micro Mobile Security protects devices running a number of operating systems. These systems include Windows Mobile 2003/2003SE for Smartphone, Windows Mobile 2003/2003SE for Pocket PC and PocketPC Phone Edition, Symbian OS 7.0 with UIQ 2.0/2.1 , Symbian OS v7.0s/v8.0a/v8.1a with Series 60 User Interface and now Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0.
Trend Micro Mobile Security 2.0 for Windows Mobile 5.0 (PocketPC and Smartphone) is available in May 2006 with pricing beginning at USD 24.95 per device. For more information and a complete list of supported devices.

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