The next version of windows Mobile

Jason also talks about the next version of Windows Mobile. Note that it will just be an update. The next major upgrade is codenamed Photon. The update should be released sometime early next year. I'm actually playing with it on one of my devices, but I can't say more. You will love it...

Office Mobile 6.1 released

Jason Langridge got it right this time :). Microsoft released a free upgrade for Office Mobile that will allow you to open and edit Office 2007 file formats on your Pocket PC or Smartphones running WM5 and above. The upgrade can be downloaded through Jason's weblog at Http://Blogs.msdn.com/jasonlan/.

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Tips: Internet Pass through not working on Palm Treo 750

Earlier today, a member of the Windows Mobile Owners Circle forums reported that he could not access internet on his Treo while the latter is connected to his PC. To avoid confusion here, let me just explain what Pass through is.
Pass Through is a technology built in to our devices and Activesync that when connected to an internet PC via USB, your device will use the connection on the PC to access the web. If GPRS or any other connections are running on your PC, your device will automatically suspend those connections to use the connection on the PC instead.
The member was not able to use pass through. I first recommend that he changed his connections settings in Activesync to Automatic or Internet, but that did not work. Whichever solution I proposed did not work. Until I found this fix in the registry.
Open the Registry editor and go to Hkey_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings. Locate EnableAutoDetect. Change the value to 1. The default is 0. If you cannot find EnableAutoDetect, create it as a Dword value. This fix might apply to other devices as well.

Note: Do this at your own risk.

Eten releases SDHC patch

There seems to be a growing demand for SDHC support. Eten's Glofiish owners will be happy to learn that a patch has been released that will bring SDHC support to their devices. However, according to www.etenblog.com, "when installed, you can no longer use normal SD cards on your Glofiish devices".

The patch can be download at www.etenblog.com/downloads/official_sdhc_Patch.zip

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Tips: Lost all contacts in Outlook after a sync

A customer reported having lost all his contacts in Outlook Desktop after connecting his device to sync. His query was how to undo a sync. While this is not possible, I advised that he checks the Deleted Items folder in Outlook. His contacts were indeed there.

Spb Windows Mobile Survey: Voice the Demand to be Served Right

Spb Software House launches its fourth annual Spb Windows Mobile Survey. This year, the Spb Survey will not only address Pocket PC, but also Smartphone users. The Survey covers a range of usability topics, attempts to capture the general WM device user profiles, and aims to establish the "perfect software" recipe.

An expert and opinion leader in the field of making mobile software for the consumer market, Spb Software House will make the Spb Survey findings public on December 18th. This year, three random respondents will receive just in time for Christmas "thank you" gifts from Spb. The company is giving away a high-end Windows Mobile device, accessories from JustMobile, as well as a $100-worth of Spb software.

Take the survey here: http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/support/survey2007.php

Preview: EverNote for Windows Mobile released

EverNote is a nifty application that you will want on your device to take simple notes, record audio notes and snapshot notes. It works on both touch screen and non-touchscreen platform. EverNotes can be synchronized with the desktop. Go to www.evernote.com, and download a free copy to try.

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Symantec releases Mobile Antivirus for Windows Mobile

Symantec has released Mobile Antivirus to protect our devices against malicious code downloaded from the web or emails. The software is available for puchase at $29.95 at www.symantec.com/norton/products/overview.jsp?pcid=pf&pvid=smavwm.
Windows Mobile 2003, 2003SE, WM5 are supported. Windows Mobile 6 is not in the list of system requirements.

Vito Technology releases Zoomboard

Yet another onscreen keyboard on the market for Pocket PCs. Vito's keyboard has some similarity with the iPhone and offers a zoomed preview while typing to reduce errors. While such virtual keyboards are great for data entry on touch screen devices, I believe it's time that device manufacturers' just start offering devices with builtin QWERTY keyboards along with touchcreens. Life would be so much easier. Try ZoomBoard at http://iwindowsmobile.com/onscreen-keyboard.html

Microsoft Pieter Knook finds it hard to comment on Android

Mr. Knook is Senior vice-president of Microsoft mobile communications business and in an interview with Australian The Age, he said that "it's hard to comment on what you haven't seen." Similar to Steve Ballmer's comments so far on the Android. However, Mr. Knook goes on to say that "it takes a lot of learning to get into this space." Read more at

http://www.theage.com.au/news/businessinnovations/android-drops-microsoft-into-googles-pocket/2007/11/12/1194766631642.html

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Call for help

Since yesterday, my Windows Live mail account on my HTC S620 has lost HTML capability. I've been trying to restore it, but in vain. I went to switch accounts and clear password, but my Hotmail still will not display emails in HTML format. I know it's the device, since it works on my HTC Wizard. Hard reset is not an option and is not worth it. It would be nice to troubleshoot this issue, so if anybody has an idea, do send me a note. I will really appreciate. Thanks in advance.

Free App and Discounts

It's Friday which means that Handango is giving away a free application. Today it is Agendus for Windows Mobile Smartphones. To get your free copy, go to http://www.handango.com/FreeAppFriday.jsp.

Handango is also celebrating nine years of service today with a sale. Now through November 30 you can save 15% off any app with the code 9YEARSALE

Tips: How to dial a phone number from the Calendar?

Adding a phone number in the Notes area of the Calendar is very useful when the reminder pops up to remind you that you need to call a contact. It would be great to be able to dial the number in the Notes area rather tha having to pull up Contacts and look up the contact number. However, by default, Outlook Mobile does not let you dial the number. At least, that function does not work in Windows Mobile 5/6 Professional edition. It does work in the Standard edition though.
There is a workaround for that. When typing the phone number in the notes area, use the following format: tel:1234567. The phone number, including "tel:" will get underlined and the font color will change to blue. Tap to dial the number.

Samsung SCH-i760 review

Jack Cook, a Microsoft MVP, has a nice and extensive review of Samsung's latest device at http://experiencemobility.com/wordpress/?p=3286. The device has a numeric keypad under the screen and a slide-out keyboard for typing text or for document editing. The review has plenty of pictures too. While you're there, check out the site's archive for very useful info and interesting articles about Mobility.

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AgendaOne version 2 released

Developerone has released version 2 of Agendaone with loads of new features. Besides being easier to use, other features include New Templates for creating frequently used appointments and Tasks. Contact Linking is also a nice tool that lets you link a contact to one or more contacts within the Notes area. For more, go to www.developerone.com/agendaone/version2.htm

Astraware releases Plantastic

Plantastic is, according to Astraware, a fun combination of puzzle and strategy game where you create bouquets from groups of brightly coloured flowers to clear them from the play board and reach each level's bloom target!  
Plantastic! includes 5 game modes - each one has a different planting pattern and blooms can only be placed near the player's last bloom within the pattern shown. Blooms drop into the queue and you must plant them in the garden before the queue fills up.
 
Get this fun puzzle strategy game today for your Palm OS® or Windows Mobile® smartphone or PDA and save $5 off the regular price. Plantastic! is available for devices with touchscreens.
Read more at http://astraware.com/ppc/plantastic/?promo=NEWS2007PLAN

 

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Spb releases Spb Insight for Smartphones

Spb Insight is a nice software that allows reading news offline thus decreasing data usage. It's just great the Spb has decided to port this application to Smartphones. A 15-day trial is available at www.spbsoftwarehouse.com.

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Watch Android in action

Brandon Miniman, MVP over at PocketNow, has published a video of Google's Android running on two devices. According to Brandon, "the UI isn't anything breakthrough - it seems to be a combination of iconic-based navigation from a main screen (think Palm) with pretty visuals including transparency and smooth animations (think iPhone). Click the link below to Watch The video:

http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=4704

HTC announces Touch Cruise

I wonder why HTC chose to include "Touch" in the name of this device, especially that it's got a different form factor from the HTC Touch. The only similarity between the two devices is that both use the TouchFlo technology. Which, by the way, is also present on the TyTN II.
The Cruise specs include GPS, Windows Mobile 6, 3MP camera, FM radio; 400MHz processor, 256MB ROM and 128MB RAM. Learn more at www.htc.com/product/03-product_htctouch_cruise.htm.

Free: Transfer contacts from Facebook to Outlook with Fonebook

Here's another free application developed by Ross Dargan that lets you import Facebook data into Outlook 2003 and 2007 and sycnchronize with your phone. Not so long ago I blogged about Microsoft Mel Sampat similar application. The difference between the two is quite notable.
Ross Dargan's Fonebook not only works with Windows Mobile powered Smartphones, but with the latest generation of Nokias too. Fonebook is able to copy Contact photos, profile web address, about me details, status details and birthday if using Outlook 2007.
Download Fonebook free at http://ross.dargan.googlepages.com/.

Opera Mini 4 released

Opera Mini 4 has been released as a free download at www.operamini.com. This new version is, according to Opera, "fast, safe and secure". To download directly to your phone, point your browser to operamini.com.

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Calendar entry off by 1 hour

If you are experiencing this issue because of the change of dates for Daylight Saving Time, make sure you follow the steps to update your device as instruction by Microsoft. An important tip to remember is in the Installation tips which says that "after installing the update, change your default time zone to any different value". Click Done to save your settings and change to your default time zone. This will avoid having issues with your appoinments. Go to www.microsoft.com:80/windowsmobile/daylightsaving/default.mspx, to learn more.

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Tips: Can't see Windows folder using Explore in Vista

Someone sent me a note sometime ago reporting that he was not able to see some folders on his device when using Windows Explorer in Windows Vista. By default, Windows systems files are hidden. To change that, click Tools - Folder Options in Windows Explorer and select Show Hidden files and folders.
If you still cannot see all your files, you might want to uncheck Hide protected operating system files. I do not recommend that though.

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MobiTV 25% Off

I happened to stop by the Handango Free App Friday page today and even though the one month free of MobiTV offer is gone, there is a new offer in its place: 25% off MobiTV!! If you have a Pocket PC, now is the time to subscribe to MobiTV for only $7.49 per month. When you order from Handango, use coupon code 4E7A1112 at checkout to get the discount.

Note that it does not specify if the special rate is only for the first month or the life of the subscription.

http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&productId=188096&code=4E7A1112&platformId=2

Opera Mini 4 out of beta soon

According to a post on Opera team blog, the much expected Opera Mini will be released soon. The site does not specify any dates though. So keep watch.

http://operawatch.com/news/2007/11/final-version-of-opera-mini-4-coming-soon.html

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MobiTV free from Handango

Today's free app from Handango is a 1 Month subscription for MobiTV for
Pocket PC!! This isn't the trial version of MobiTV where you only get the
one preview channel; this is the full version. It's still kind of a trial
since you only get it for a month, but it's totally free!

http://www.handango.com/FreeAppFriday.jsp

Tipster: Jason

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News: 40% off Resco products

Simply put, Resco products are really good. Especially Resco Explorer which is now in version 2007. For Halloween, Resco is offering 40% discount off most of its products. The discount is valid until November 8. Waste no time and click the link below to take advantage of these award winning applications - http://www.resco.net/default.asp.

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Tips: Export Windows Contacts to Outlook Contacts

With Windows Vista, it's possible to store contacts in Windows Contacts. This is convenient if you don't have Outlook installed. Now that you've purchased Outlook, it would be great to be able to transfer these data from Windows Contacts to Outlook and sync the data to your Windows Mobile device.
To do that, open Windows Contacts and click Export on the menu bar. Select CSV (Comma Seperated Values) in the Export Windows Contacts Window. Click Export.
Type a name for the file and click Browse. Select the location where you want to save the file and click Save. Click Next and select the fields you need and click Finish.
Open Outlook and click File - Import and Export. Choose Import from another program or file. Click Next. Select Comma Seperated Values (Windows) from the list and click Next. Browse to the location where you saved the CSV file and click Next. Select the folder where you want to import the folder to and click Next. Check the file you want to import and follow onscreen instructions and click Finish. This is it. Connect your device to sync.

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WM6 upgrade available for AT&T 8525

The upgrade is available as from today to February 1, 2008. Only the 8525 is supported. Download the upgrade at http://www.america.htc.com/support/8525/software-downloads.html. Make sure you read the instructions carefully.

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