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Nov 17 Elements Interactive Releases Mobile Game Engine Edge SDK 2.00
Found in: Mobile News,

Elements Interactive B.V. releases the first public version of their mobile game engine Edge. The Edge SDK, with current version 2.00, supports the development of true multi-platform mobile games for Windows Mobile Pocket PC, Windows Mobile Smartphone, Symbian Series 60, Symbian UIQ and Windows desktop. Key features of the Edge SDK include true multi-platform development, high-performance graphics, RGBA surfaces and PNG support for all platforms, 3D graphics and both Bluetooth and TCP/IP network support.


"As we are mobile game developers ourselves, the design and development of Edge was aimed on performance, a rich feature set and the creation of a true multi-platform mobile game development environment" says Danny Hoffman, Elements Interactive CEO. "We wanted every feature to work on every supported platform."

Licenses of the Edge SDK will be available for $950 for the first year and $650 for subsequent years. Danny Hoffman continues: "With this relative low license fee, we wanted to create a solution for both small and large game studios. The Edge license enables game developers to do what they're good in: developing great mobile games. Edge takes care of the multi-platform issues."

Edge licensees are entitled to create and release as many commercial games and applications as desired for all supported platforms during the licensing period. An evaluation version of the Edge SDK is also available.

Commercially available game titles like the action platformer Li-Nuggz, space shooter Blazar and popular multi-player puzzle game Quartz 2 are powered by Edge.

More information can be found on the product website located at http://www.edgelib.com.


ABOUT ELEMENTS INTERACTIVE
Founded in January 1996 in the Netherlands as an agency for webdevelopment, Elements Interactive B.V. opens its mobile game division officially in late 2003 by releasing the first game, S-Tris, as freeware. The in-house development of mobile game engine Edge enables Elements Interactive to develop quality games for a variety of mobile devices more efficiently. Game titles of Elements Interactive include S-Tris, E-Ball, Foo Fighter, Li-Nuggz, Blazar and the Quartz series of puzzle games.
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Nov 25 EMCC Software: An Introduction to PTT
Found in: Mobile News,

This months technical briefing from EMCC Software looks ta the increasingly popular push-to-talk (PTT). The article reviews how PTT works and the standards that underpin its successful widespread adoption.

There is an alternative to circuit-switched voice calls tha become very popular recently, especially in the US. It is push-to-talk (PTT).

Push-to-talk over Cellular (PoC) is a half-duplex, two-way communication service. It basically works like a walkie-ta where only one participant at a time is allowed to speak not meant to be a replacement for normal circuit-switch voice calls, but was designed for a quick exchange of information between users.

It is very easy to use a PTT application. The user s contact from the contacts list (which typically also display presence status of the contact) and holds down the dedic PTT button while speaking. The voice is immediately transferred to the other call participant(s) in real time.

Until now, only proprietary protocols were used to implem PTT functionality. However, in order to guarantee interoperability, the open mobile alliance (OMA) is in the process of specifying an open standard for PTT. OMA mem include wireless vendors like Nokia or Motorola, informat technology companies, mobile network operators as wel application and content providers. At the time of writing latest version of this standard is candidate version 1.0 (6th October, 2005) [1]. A number of OMA-compliant servers a clients are currently under development.

What are the main building blocks of a PTT system? Apa a PoC client, there is obviously a need for a PoC server as The PoC server's responsibility is to allow clients to regist to manage PTT sessions. As soon as a PoC session is established, the client can transmit audio data.

The user's contact lists are stored on the shared XML document management (XDM) server. These lists are stored an application-independent format and therefore can be sh with other applications. PTT-specific data structures like Po groups are stored on the PoC XDM server. In order to acces any XDM server, an aggregation proxy implements an HTTP proxy that forwards any incoming requests from the client t the appropriate XDM server.

As mentioned above, presence is a feature which is suppor by most PTT clients. It allows the user to view the current presence states of the contacts in the user's contacts list. Possible presence states are for example “online”, “busy” o not disturb”. A presence server stores the presence inform and notifies the client about presence changes. The user c also set his or her own presence. Presence functiona optional for OMA PoC.

Another optional building block of a PTT system is the devic provisioning and management (DM) server. It is used to initialise and update all configuration parameters necessary the PoC client.

In addition to “normal” one-to-one PTT calls, the OMA specification describes calls which involve a group of subscribers. Pre-arranged groups contain a number of contacts and can be called by selecting the group in the PTT application and pressing the PTT button. Ad-hoc groups only exist during the lifetime of the call. The user has to select the group participants before calling this group. When a pre-arranged or ad-hoc group is initiated, all members of the group are invited to the call. This is not the case with chat groups. A chat group is a group where users can join and leave whenever they like. In order to share groups, group advertisement is defined.

So how does PTT really work? Under the hood of a PoC client, a number of important protocols exchange messages with a server.

The first is the session initiation protocol (SIP). It is a general purpose protocol which can be used to establish any kind of session. It is used to register with the server and send invite messages which start a session. SIP uses the session description protocol (SDP) to agree on media parameters for a PoC session.

For the transmission of audio data between clients, the time transport protocol (RTP) as well as the RTP contro protocol (RTCP) are used. The latter is used to ensure t quality of the audio channel.

Before the user can speak, the client has to request the floor from the server. This is necessary to guarantee that only one participant at a time is allowed to transmit audio data. When the server receives such a request it can allow or reject it. Additionally, the server can revoke the right to speak any time. The protocol that is used for floor control is called talk burst control protocol (TBCP) and is uses RTCP messages for the exchange of information.

For the implementation of a fully OMA-compliant PoC solution, several hundred pages of specifications have to be read, understood, and correctly implemented. It is no surprise that most implementations wouldn't be able to interoperate smoothly without any testing. In order to ensure interoperability between PTT solutions, the OMA regularly hosts so-called TestFestivals or TestFests. During this event, OMA members can test crossvendor combinations and make sure they interoperate correctly.

To summarise, PTT is a solution which has its place alongside circuit-switched and voice-over-IP calls. Its main advantage is instant access, simplicity, as well as the efficient use of network resources. But the functionality described above is only the beginning of a whole series of so-called push-to-X services. Like PTT, the point of these services is instant access. Examples are push-to-view, which allows users to share images during a PTT call or push-to-find, where location information is transferred.

About EMCC Software Limited

EMCC Software is a leading Symbian, Series 60 and UIQ Competence Center, providing software development service and solutions to the mobile industry. They have been worki closely with Symbian and the device manufactures for over seven years, helping to develop the Symbian OS platform, mobile phones and innovative applications and solutions. Building on their reputation for technical excellence, EM CC has recently received accredited certification against the ISO9001:2000 standard and TickIT Guidelines Issue 5. Fur information about EMCC Software Ltd and the services they offer can be found at www. emccsoft. com.

[1] The OMA PTT specification can be found at
http://www.openmobilealliance.org/release_program/poc-v1_0.html

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Nov 17 Google Goes Mobile with Local Service
Found in: Mobile News,

Google's beta launch of Google Local for mobile, a free JAVA app download that gives users the ability to locate addresses or businesses in the U.S. from a mobile phone.

The app offers "several features that are mobile-phone specific, like a click-to-call capability. It also provides small interactive maps that let users zoom in or out of a specific location, as well as satellite imagery that can provide a bird's eye view of a site."

Yankee Group analyst Linda Barrabee noted that "Google has been aggressive in the wireless space," citing the "company's SMS-based search capabilities that use text messaging for getting driving directions and finding business locations."

Barrabee said, "For customers who like Google, and want access on their phones to the same applications offered on the PC, such as Local, this could be popular. In the wireless environment, local information is critical."

Barrabee added. "Most carriers want their users to stay on the company's home page, yet this could drive usage of data services. The bottom line, though, is how Google makes people aware of this application."

Barrabee suggested that Google "needed to extend the service to additional devices and platforms, such as BREW, Palm, and BlackBerry."

I had a chance to play with it today and it is a cool little app. Very easy to set up as I had Google text me the link for downloading. I can definitely see myself using it when I'm out and about and need to find somewhere to eat or something...
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Oct 16 Microsoft offers free webinars to Mobile Technology developers
Found in: Mobile News,

Microsoft offers free webinars to Mobile Technology developers Mobile application development using .NET technologies enables you to reduce development time while easily creating new applications or porting current desktop applications to mobile devices. Tune in to this series to learn more about the Windows Mobile platform and the Visual Studio .NET toolset. Experts from Microsoft and our partner community will cover a wide array of topics including secure data connectivity, API support, the .NET Compact Framework, and native versus managed code.
Bonus: Attend any live webcast in this series to qualify for a chance to win your choice of a Pocket PC or Smartphone (official rules) or a Portable Media Center (official rules) pre-loaded with our best MSDN webcasts. Offer open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.


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Aug 12 Nokia "Email" Launches In Beta Mode
Found in: Nokia, Mobile News,

It's official Nokia has decided to launch a new email beta application that they simple call "Email" a program that replaces the currently installed Nokia Symbian S60 email application while providing some new additions to the program, mainly in terms of the look.


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Nov 29 PowerPoint projections - and only with a Bluetooth smartphone
Found in: Mobile News,

She's called IRMA - Irma Bluetooth. She costs £299.00 and she's a little box which you plug into a video projector, and drive from your Windows PDA or smartphone - and she does PowerPoint without needing a personal computer. The inventor is Infrablue - a specialist provider of handheld presentation solutions which is based in London. "IRMA Bluetooth combines compression software and a 110-gramme pocket-sized Bluetooth communications device," said the company in today's news release.
"The user converts and compresses their chosen PowerPoint documents using the software from their laptop or PC and then transfers them to the handheld device," said Mitchell Johnson, Infrablue managing director. "The handheld then sends the presentation slides direct to the projector using the IRMA device, which is connected directly to the chosen projector by a standard VGA cable connection – no laptop is needed."
The package works on most Windows mobile devices - Infrablue listing the latest iMate, HP, Qtek, and 02 branded units.
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Nov 25 Sony Ericsson reveals Symbian OS application statistics for January-October 2005
Found in: Mobile News, Symbian,

Sony Ericsson has release its latest update on application sales through the Handango network, which provides Sony Ericsson with its Application Shop. Although the P900 and P910 have not held onto top spot, they have taken second place despite the growth in competition.

Statistics from Handango's distribution networks show that Symbian OS smartphone customers during 2005 downloaded more applications per visit than other smartphone customers, i.e. for handhelds on other smartphone OS's. Statistics also illustrate that developing applications for Sony Ericsson smartphones make great business sense with maintained high consumer interest in the Handango powered Sony Ericsson Application Shop.

To date there are 6,050 applications available for Symbian OS phones through Handango and its more than 100 distribution partners, a 46.24% increase since January 2005. By Handango partners is meant any and all Handango mobile software partners that offer their content catalog to customers. Examples of Handango's Symbian OS partners include Sony Ericsson and its Application Shop, the My-Symbian.com Online Shop and the AllAboutSymbian online shop.

During the whole of 2004, the Sony Ericsson P900/P910 was the overall number one revenue generating device across all platforms and all Handango channels. For 2005, the Sony Ericsson P900/P910 has been the second most popular device adding software (based on units sold) across Handango's whole network of customers across platforms and handsets, despite increased numbers of devices and platforms being introduced.

From January to October 2005, the average sale per unique customer for the Sony Ericsson Application Shop was 45.30 USD, which was 11.64 USD higher than the average sale per unique customer for Symbian OS. This can to a large extent be explained by the large touch screen and the UIQ platform suitable for PDA type of applications, making Sony Ericsson smartphones very popular as business and productivity tools. The target audience for these smartphones mainly consists of less price sensitive business users.

Check out more statistics as well as the top 10 selling applications for the Sony Ericsson P910 smartphone during 2005, the top 15 most downloaded Symbian OS applications for any handset and which application categories/types generate the most download sales.

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Dec 06 Wireless Users Stay Connected to Real Time Stock Quotes While On the Go
Found in: Mobile News,

Responding to the ever-increasing number of mobile professionals worldwide, Alpha Trade (APTD), a publicly traded company that provides real time stock quotes has introduced a new wireless product that enables professional, institutional, and individual investors to stay connected to their financial information when they’re on the go. Financial information can now be accessed via such wireless devices as BlackBerry, Nokia, Palm OS, Window CE devices, and Symbian OS (Sony Ericsson).

With more than 30 million mobile professionals roaming the planet, many of whom speak more than one language, AlphaTrade took on the task of creating the world’s first multi-lingual slate of wireless financial applications and analysis tools for those who want to stay connected to their investments.

The new product, called Jupiter, makes an enormous amount of financial and investment data available wirelessly---most of which was previously inaccessible to users on the road or on the go. Everything from streaming real time stock quotes, streaming portfolios totaling 600 symbols, investments, and high resolution stock charts to symbol-sensitive real-time news, real-time gain/loss positions in customizable fields, and NASDAQ’s “Total View”, is now accessible in English, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese. And Jupiter’s multilingual capability allows for quick language change on-the-fly - users can switch their entire portfolios from one language to another in the matter of seconds with one click.

Jupiter is the only wireless provider of NASDAQ’s “TotalView” product. TotalView shows users every single quote and order at every price level in the NASDAQ Market Center, plus all displayed orders at every price level for each NASDAQ-listed security.

“As TotalView has emerged as the standard NASDAQ data feed for serious traders, demand has broadened,” commented NASDAQ’s Senior Vice President William O’Brien. “AlphaTrade’s multi-lingual, multi-device approach ensures customers can receive TotalView data where they need it, how they need it.”

AlphaTrade, which is ranked number 330 on the 2005 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 (a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America), has a subscriber base from more than 40 different countries and provides real time stock quotes along with other financial data for both desktops and wireless devices.

Jupiter (the planet) is the biggest planet in our solar system, and though AlphaTrade’s Jupiter is just making its way onto cell phones and PDAs around the globe, the company has expectations that it will be the biggest multi-lingual financial product available for the mobile investor who wants to receive real time stock quotes and other financial information on a wireless device.
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Jun 06 $125 Smartphone from Hop-On
Found in: Smartphone, Mobile News,

Hop-On appears to be for mobile phones what the Eee is to computers. The cheapest and most affordable solution. We have shown you the almost disposable $10 cell phone, whose main function was to make calls. Now Hop-On has something different in mind.


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Jul 06 .NET CF 2.0 SP1 comes with support for install to Storage Card
Found in: Mobile News, Pocket PC, Smartphone,

Microsoft have shipped .net Compact Framework 2.0 SP1 with install to Storage Card support!. This is great cause of the memory requirement of .net CF 2.0 placed upon an already limited resource (Smartphones for example) has always been off putting. Because of that most of the developers are still developing in .net CF 1.0.

NET Compact Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1 details:

Added Features:

* Added support for WindowsCE 4.2 in both the CAB installation and a Platform Builder Update (For more information on the Platform Builder Update, see Windows CE Download Center.)
* Added the option to install the global assemblycache to the storage card.
* Allow DataGrid cell drawing to be overridden
* Added support for headless Windows CE 5.0 devices by adding a Headless catalog item in Platform Builder. (For more information on the Platform Builder Update, see Windows CE Download Center.)
* Added System SR files to the Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder catalog item. (For more information on the Platform Builder Update, see Windows CE Download Center)
* Enabled device debugging using mdbg.
* Included LogViewer tools to monitor network traffic.
* Included the .NET Compact Framework Remote Performance Monitor. (For more information, see Steven Pratschner’s BLOG.)
* Added the Serializable attribute.

Fixed Issues:

* Changing VT_BYREF Variants in managed code could lead to a memory leak.
* Inappropriate caching of current UI culture even after CultureInfo.ClearCachedData is called.
* For the HttpWebRequest method, an uncatchable ObjectDisposedException could occur when exiting an application with asynchronous requests.
* Visual Studio hangs on setting a Breakpoint in a function with an infinite loop when it is called from the Immediate Window.
* Breakpoints do not work if the cached, managed dlls in the bcl directory differ from the ones on the device.
* Environment.GetFolderPath returns an InvalidOperationException.
* An access violation occurs when accessing .theControls or .Controls.Count property of a control once it has begun the disposing process.
* The WebBrowser.DocumentCompleted event is fired in a loop when the DocumentText property contains an image inside of a table.
* Files should be extracted to the main storage as a workaround to avoid hardware issues on some storage cards.
* For the HttpWebRequest method, an ArgumentOutOfRangeException occurs when accessing some https:// URLs.
* Timer breaks after GetTickCount wraps around (49.7 days).
* Error occurs when loading the .NET Compact Framework version 2.0 on a device using an ActiveSync push.
* Memory leaks occur when using Com marshaling.
* Installer should check for ActiveSync version and disable deployment if version is older than ActiveSync 4.0 build 4343.
* For the SerialPort class, an IOException is thrown when opening a serial port on the IPAQ 4150.
* A call to HttpWebRequest over SSL with a payload greater than 32 KB hangs on the client when SendChunked returns false.
* For the SerialPort class,an uncatchable exception occurs when Bluetooth is turned off.
* A finalizer for the FileStream class will cause the application to crash if a previous IO operation failed.
* Installation of the .NET Compact Framework fails on low memory devices.
* PInvoke return types of UIntPtr throw a NotSupportedException.
* The Debug.WriteLine method in the .NET Compact framework version 2.0 is not working.
* For the SerialPort class, virtual serial ports are not reported by the SerialPort.GetPortNames method.
* When using COM Interop, a VARIANT_BOOL type is passed incorrectly on ARMV4I.
* The .NET Compact Framework incorrectly performs version comparison when loading assemblies.
* ARMV4I runtime should be removed from ARMV4 Pocket PC CAB to reduce the size of the CAB.
* Corrections needed for Http Abort semantics.
* The DateTime.Now method throws an ArgumentOutOfRangeException.
* Crash caused by using CurrentTimeZone.GetDaylightTime and CurrentTimeZone.GetStandardTime in certain rare stress conditions.

So have a more pleasant development guys

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