SuperSite Blog : Mobile

Windows Marketplace for Mobile Now Available on the Web

pthurrott — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:28:15 GMT

When Microsoft launched its new Windows Marketplace for Mobile alongside Windows Mobile 6.5 in early October, the online store was only available via a custom app on compatible Windows Mobile 6.5-based devices. But now, as promised, you can access the store on the web as well, from any PC-based web browser. It looks pretty good. (Queue tired comparison of Apple's 100,000 apps with Microsoft's ~350. Please. I beg you.)

HP's End-Run Around the Windows 7 Starter Limitations

pthurrott — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:56:42 GMT

As you must know by now, Microsoft has severely limited the ways in which you can customized its lowest-end Windows 7 version, Windows Starter Edition. (See Windows 7 Starter? That's How They Get You for more information.) The worst of these limitations, of course, is that users cannot customize the desktop wallpaper. Instead, they're stuck with what Microsoft provides: A single background image.

Today, Rafael posts about an HP netbook that appears to get around this limitation. How they do it is interesting. Lame. But interesting.

Nicholas R., initially emailing Paul, noticed HP was somehow bypassing this restriction according to a bulleted claim on their Mini 110 netbook product page:

The unique ability to change the wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter: a specialized theme includes a custom screen saver and 15 wallpapers designed by Boontje.

How is this possible?

Upon clicking the Customize and Buy link on HP’s website, and clicking through the various customizable components, you’ll discover the included software bundle consisting of some simple applications and a copy of Stardock MyColors, designed for Windows 7. For those unaware, MyColors is simply a stripped down WindowBlinds application targeting the download-and-apply-my-theme users that don’t need the power (or cost) of WindowBlinds. The internals, however, are the same. As this software replaces the Microsoft Windows theming subsystem with its own, it completely bypasses any and all license restrictions imposed by Microsoft.

So is it legal? You have to think HP, a major league Microsoft partner, got the OK from the software giant.

I mean. They must have. Right?

Windows Mobile 6.5.1 on the Way?

pthurrott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:21:36 GMT

I guess this is no huge surprise, but Download Squad reports that Microsoft is already working on a minor revision to the recently released Windows Mobile 6.5:

When Microsoft launched Windows Mobile 6.5 earlier this month, the latest version of the company's operating system for ~~cell~~ smart phones and mobile devices was met with lukewarm (if not hostile) reviews. In a nutshell, the biggest complaint is that the operating system was essentially unchanged from the previous few versions and didn't offer much to convince users to stick with the platform instead of switching to an iPhone, Blackberry, Google Android, or Palm device.

But there may be hope. Windows Mobile 6.5 does have a new and improved web browser and home screen, even if the calendar and contacts applications haven't changed in half a decade. And now it looks like Microsoft is working on an incremental update that may or may not be called Windows Mobile 6.5.1 that will bring a number of minor but significant improvements.

No real news here (they do quote Long Zheng, after all), but it looks like some of the new features include a touch-friendly Contacts application, the move of the Start button back to the bottom left of the screen (where it was originally, a la desktop Windows, back in the mid- to late-1990s), and an overall visual refresh.

And You Thought Your Notebook Had Good Battery Life

pthurrott — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:39:03 GMT

I opened my laptop this morning and saw the following battery life reading and had to laugh out loud. We can only dream of such battery life. But it's nice to dream. :)

Courier User Interface

pthurrott — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:32:53 GMT

Gizmodo continues its exclusive look at what is apparently a new Tablet PC design from Microsoft, the Courier. In this new video, you can actually see how the Courier would work in the real world, with a cool page-flipping experience that emulates a real book. It's got multi-touch and stylus support, of course, and all the requisite flicks, gestures, pinches, and other features you'd expect. Is it real? I hope so.

Courier User Interface

iPhone Apps Store has 2 billionth download

pthurrott — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:46:28 GMT

It's hard to overstate how successful the iPhone Apps Store is. Check out the latest figures from Apple:

Apple today announced that more than two billion apps have been downloaded from its revolutionary App Store, the largest applications store in the world. There are now more than 85,000 apps available to the more than 50 million iPhone and iPod touch customers worldwide and over 125,000 developers in Apple’s iPhone Developer Program.

"The rate of App Store downloads continues to accelerate with users downloading a staggering two billion apps in just over a year, including more than half a billion apps this quarter alone," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "The App Store has reinvented what you can do with a mobile handheld device, and our users are clearly loving it."

And I want to highlight this little fact (see the bolded bit) because I think it speaks to the single greatest weakness in the Zune platform:

Today, iPhone and iPod touch customers in 77 countries worldwide can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.

77 countries. Yikes.

AT&T enters 21st century, adds MMS to iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS

pthurrott — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:47:05 GMT

Apple:

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is now available to AT&T customers.

AT&T MMS requires iPhone OS 3.1 and a carrier settings update.

Here's what it looks like (on a Mac) ...

Unlike other iPhone updates I've installed via iTunes, this one is actually very quick. Very quick. On the other hand, you do have to hard reset the iPhone to enable it. Once it's rebooted, which takes more time than booting a PC, you can use the standard Messages app to send one or more photos with a text message. You'll see the following new toolbar above the virtual keyboard:

Photos have to be added one at a time, which is no big deal. (But I wish Apple would drop the awful iChat-like "thought bubble" UI in this SMS/MMS app. It's just childish looking.)

Needless to say, this being Apple and AT&T, the complaints have already begun rolling in. I'm sure they'll get it right eventually.

Microsoft's smart phone strategy: Copy, copy, and then copy again

pthurrott — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:36:23 GMT

Sigh.

Today, Gizmodo revealed Microsoft's secret new strategy in the smart phone market: Copy what other people are doing. If you've spent any time on my site or listen to Windows Weekly, you know how I feel about this kind of thing. If you can't do something original, why bother?

Here's what they're doing.

"Turtle"
What it copies: The Palm Pre

"Pure"
What it copies: Every horizontal smart phone ever sold.

So. These things look OK, obviously. But really? This is the deeply secret phone stuff Microsoft is working on?

Yawn.

Google Sync: Now with push Gmail support

pthurrott — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:57:27 GMT

This is big stuff, and if there's anyone actually paying for MobileMe a year from now, well, you already looked like a fool, so what's the difference?

The Google Mobile Blog reports today that Google has added push email support to Google Sync, which previously provided that support for Google-based contacts and calendar on the iPhone (and iPod touch), Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and Nokia S60 devices. Here's the word:

Earlier this year, we launched Google Sync which allows you to synchronize your Gmail Contacts and Google Calendar with your iPhone, Windows Mobile, and S60 devices. Today, we're adding Gmail support to Google Sync for iPhone, iPod Touch and Windows Mobile devices.

Using Google Sync, you can now get your Gmail messages pushed directly to your phone. Having an over-the-air, always-on connection means that your inbox is up to date, no matter where you are or what you're doing. Sync works with your phone's native email application so there's no additional software needed. Only interested in syncing your Gmail, but not your Calendar? Google Sync allows you to sync just your Contacts, Calendar, or Gmail, or any combination of the three.

To try Google Sync, visit m.google.com/sync from your computer. If you're already using Google Sync, learn how to enable Gmail sync.

Good stuff. Enjoy!

ThinkPads go multi-touch

pthurrott — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:26:28 GMT

I've got a Windows 7-based ThinkPad T400s with multi-touch capabilities here for review, and while I will have a lot more to say about this (hint: "awesome"), here's some info about what Lenovo is doing around multi-touch on its ThinkPad X200 Tablet and T400s notebook:

Available on ThinkPad X200 Tablet and T400s models, our Enhanced Multitouch panels give you an edge: the ability to work more productively. Natural and intuitive finger-based interaction with files, pictures, charts, data and forms and applications designed specifically for mobile professionals simplifies and speeds daily tasks so you can get more done. More comfortably.

Key features of Enhanced Multitouch technology

One- and two-finger gesture support, plus same digitizer pen support

Improved capacitive touch sensitivity and input accuracy

Pen proximity detection technology

Improved palm recognition technology

Up to 9 hrs. battery life

Starts at 3.69 lbs.

270 NIT LED display

One and two-finger gesture support

In addition to familiar digitizer pen input, the Enhanced Multitouch panel supports convenient one- and two-finger gestures:

Zoom in by pinching fingers together, and zoom out by moving fingers apart.

Pan vertically or horizontally by moving two fingers up and down or left and right.

Rotate an image by moving one finger around another.

Right-click by holding one finger on an object and tapping another finger.

Flick using quick linear pen or touch movements.

Effortless touch

Get a smoother, easier finger-touch experience. Unlike earlier panels that required physical pressure to make a connection, our next-generation digitizer with improved capacitive touch sensitivity can sense a finger touching the screen. No need to apply pressure!

More accurate input

ThinkPad smart touch firmware adjustments enable smarter touch recognition, so screen input occurs where you touch. It even compensates for panel limitations, like the inability to touch a precise spot on the screen, for an easy, no-fuss experience.

Advanced pen and palm recognition

Our intelligent pen proximity-detection technology and improved palm-rejection technology prevent your hand placement from interfering with writing. When the pen comes within range of the sensor, all finger-touch capability is disabled. When you remove your pen and hand, touch capability is re-enabled.

More soon...

Use the tools Microsoft didn't use to create Zune HD apps

pthurrott — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:09:50 GMT

Yes, you read that right. Microsoft (and its partners) did not use XNA Game Studio to create the free games and other apps that are now available for the Zune HD. (They used proprietary in-house tools instead.) But if you are interested in developing for the Zune HD, Microsoft does have a solution for you now. It's unclear how you could ever get those apps on the device, however.

XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions

Are you as excited as we are at today’s arrival of the Zune HD? If you've already picked yours up from your local retailer or are eagerly awaiting your delivery from Zune Originals, we are pleased to announce the immediate availability of XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions to support Zune HD. This add-on for XNA Game Studio 3.1 adds the following functionality to the product:

The ability to target and develop for the Zune HD media player.

The addition of new Touch APIs to the XNA Framework for use on the Zune HD.

The addition of new Accelerometer APIs to the XNA Framework for use on the Zune HD.

You'll also find new documentation and examples integrated into Visual Studio help that will show you how to leverage the new APIs, as well as a tutorial on how to update the Platformer Game Starter Kit to use the new Touch API's.

Barring the new input models available, your game should port over relatively easily.

Beyond the changes outlined here, all of the other XNA Game Studio functionality with the Zune HD remains the same as it did with earlier versions of the device.

You'll find the download for the XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions by following this link. If you have questions or need help getting started using XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions, please use this thread.

Enjoy your Zune HD!

Thanks to Mitchel T. for the link.

The 'blame anyone but Apple cadre,' Part 217: AT&T

pthurrott — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:55:00 GMT

So AT&T is finally adding MMS support to the iPhone 3G/3GS on September 25, about two months after Apple first announced the feature and other international wireless carriers provided it. Yep, AT&T sucks. And I should know, I've been using this horrible network, first in "EDGE" form, and then with their supposed 3G network, for two years now. God, how I miss Verizon.

There's just one problem. AT&T isn't unique, and all wireless carriers are horrible. And it's hard to credibly assert that Verizon's admittedly superior 3G network wouldn't simply buckle under the pressure of all those iPhone users. It just would. When I had my Verizon USB dongle, speeds were usually decent, but let's face, I was one of 17 people using the thing at any given time.

Also, I've taken my iPhone all over Europe. Allow me to dispel the rumor that any of AT&T's international competitors are any better. In Ireland, Britain, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Portugal, I've had all kids of connectivity issues on a variety of iPhone-compatible networks. iPhone connectivity is terrible everywhere. It will be terrible on Verizon if that ever happens.

There's a growing trend to just blame AT&T for all of the iPhone's troubles. I'm not sure that's fair, since most networks simply can't handle the amount of wireless traffic these devices bring. But if ever there was one example of Apple's hold on the press, it's this whole AT&T thing. Consider the Google Voice debacle. Even after AT&T asserted publicly that it had absolutely nothing to do with the Google Voice rejection, publications as credible as The New York Times were still blaming them. Nope, it's never Apple's fault.

It's kind of like the reaction to Snow Leopard, a service pack if there ever was one. There's so much here, I'll just cherry pick the most obvious: If Microsoft had the temerity to ship a mostly-64-bit OS that utilized a 32-bit kernel, the Mac community would be up in arms, ridiculing the software giant endlessly. It's hard to imagine Apple not making an "I'm a PC, I'm a Mac" commercial lampooning this. But Apple does just that and ... nothing. Meanwhile, because Apple has run out of ideas and had to improve the low level parts of OS that, three years ago, apparently needed absolutely no improvement at all, the Apple fan base accepts Apple's offering on blind faith: "Because Apple has provided this, this then is exactly what we need." It must be nice to have such a trusting audience, and one that is so eager to spend money, year after year. Even on a service pack.

So let's blame AT&T for everything, please. Just don't be so sure that whatever the next network carrier is will be any better.

Nokia netbook details emerge

pthurrott — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:54:31 GMT

Sadly, it's not all good news.

The Nokia Booklet 3G is scheduled to ship sometime in Q4 2009 and will include Windows 7, as I previously reported. It will sell for €575, or about $800. That's about double the cost of a typical netbook, though Nokia expects the device to be sold largely by wireless carriers, which will subsidize its cost to consumers opting for a monthly data access plan.

Most of the Booklet 3G's specs are common to all netbooks, but it does include a unique GPS navigation chip that will work in tandem with Nokia Ovi Maps software.

I'm guessing this will be a Europe-only offering in the beginning, but I'm curious to see it come to the US.

Could Microsoft Office finally be heading to Linux?

pthurrott — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:14:05 GMT

Nine years ago, I learned about a skunkworks project Microsoft had handed off to an Israeli software firm that was to have seen a port of Microsoft Office to Linux. The port was seen as a just-in-case solution, but with Linux not ever taking off in any serious way on the desktop, it was dropped, never to be seen in public.

Now, it appears that Microsoft Office is once again going to appear on Linux, only this time I'm basing this prediction not on first-hand knowledge of the work, but rather on speculation. But it's not what you think. And it's really not that far-fetched.

First, Microsoft will never port Office to desktop Linux. The market just isn't there.

Second, Microsoft and Nokia have partnered to port Office Mobile (and other Microsoft mobile wares) to Nokia's smart phones. They're beginning with the E series, but have said that they will push Office to other Nokia devices after that. Here's where it gets fuzzy. The deal appears to be for phones based on the aging Symbian operating system.

But ... Third, Nokia appears to be moving away from Symbian. (The company says that is not the case, however.) Their N-series devices run Linux and the latest version, the N900, is a traditional smart phone, with a slide-out keyboard, GSM/HSDPA wireless, and all the smart phone goodness one could expect. It's a great looking smart phone. It'd be a natural for Office Mobile.

So will Microsoft Office finally make its way to Linux, by way of the N900, or a similar Linux-based smart phone? I think it might just happen.

Nokia to deliver Windows 7-powered netbook with 12 hours of battery life

pthurrott — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:11:53 GMT

Yikes. This netbook looks pretty nice, I must admit.

Nokia has just whipped the dust sheet off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A brand new breed of portable device for Nokia, this mini laptop PC sees the company step foot on freshly cut turf, and we’re a little dumb-struck with excitement at the prospect of the experience that this bite-size Booklet promises to deliver when it arrives. Not to mention what it means bigger picture, and how this product could affect the entire mobile landscape for the better (we’ll save that for another story), but let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.

First, let’s get down off our tip-toes, take a deep breath, and soak up all the initial details on what the upcoming Nokia Booklet 3G mini laptop is set to deliver when it lands on laps. Read on for every shred of info currently available on this landmark new product, and get the first close-up look at the Nokia Booklet 3G mini laptop in our photo gallery.

The new Nokia Booklet 3G will be a Windows-based machine, supported by an efficient Intel Atom processor that promises the performance of a full-function PC. It’s efficiency credentials are boldly punctuated with battery life that stretches up to 12 hours (with normal daily use, of course – don’t expect a 12-hour Quake-fest off a single hit of juice).

Turning our attention to mini matters of a tape-measure nature, the Nokia Booklet 3G comes toting a glass 10.1-inch HD display (it has an HDMI port for HD video out). This lives within its smart aluminium shell which measures in at just 2cm thin and tips the scales at around a kilogram to ensure it’s extremely portable.

Connecting at speed is crucial with a product of this nature, so the Booklet 3G has been designed with fast downloading and uploading front of mind – it’s 3G/HSPA ready for rapid mobile broadband anywhere-access on the move. Wi-Fi has also been wedged into it’s slim body. Plus, it supports hot-swappable SIM card functionality.

It’s talents don’t end there, with Nokia’s mini laptop PC also featuring onboard assisted-GPS with Ovi Maps neatly sat in the passenger seat. There’s a single front-facing camera nestled above the 10.1-inch HD screen for video chat, with Bluetooth and a built-in SD card reader also making appearances.

There’s already a lot of info to digest here, but there are still more details to come at Nokia World 09 on 2 September – expect official word on where the Nokia Booklet 3G will be available, news on how much it’ll cost, along with a detailed list of specs for the number-hungry among us.

This thing looks pretty nice. A good promotional video doesn't hurt either.