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The folks at WM Power User are on hand in London right now for Palm's official launch of the Treo Pro across the pond.

Follow along right now as they liveblog the event.

Thanks to StarrWulfe for the tip!

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When it comes to Sprint's WiMAX / XOHM were not really quite sure what

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Casey writes in to let us know that the on-again, off-again download page for the Windows Mobile 6.1 Update for the BlackJack II is on again -- this time with live links for Windows Mobile 6.1.

As always with any Windows Mobile ROM update, be sure you have all your apps ready to re-install and all your PIM data ready to re-sync. As always with BlackJack updates, the process is a briar-patch filled with modem downloads, pitfalls, and convoluted instructions, so set aside a good hour at least to get it done.

Thanks, Casey!

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Live Mesh Client around the Corner?

Remember when we covered Live Mesh for your Windows Mobile phone? The thing that bugged me was that you had to use your web browser to navigate to the site and then rummage through the folders. When you log into the Live Mesh website you see the

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For you dev (and adventurous) types out there, Sony Ericsson has released the software development kit for the still-unreleased Xperia X1.

What's in store?

Developers can use the Windows Mobile SDK, free of charge, to produce a wide variety of panels to meet the consumer’s demand for a rich, individualized multimedia experience on their phone. Users of the Xperia™ X1 will be spoilt for choice as they personalize their handset with panel applications to suit their mood and lifestyle.   Whether it is a search engine, advanced calendar or social networking application, music or film catalogue, sports or news related content, the panels enable you to access any information – quickly and directly – with a simple tap on the 3” super high resolution touch screen.

So while you still can't get your hands on the phone, you can get a head start on customizing it.

Read the full press release here; get the SDK here; and check out a video with Ramanth Bhat, senior manager of application and product planning, speaking about the sliding panels interface, after the jump.

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For many Windows Mobile users, threaded SMS long had been the Bigfoot of the mobile operating system. You were pretty sure it was out there, you had seen snippets of it, but you'd never actually seen it.

That finally changed with Windows Mobile 6.1 (yes, Palm had it much sooner, and there are hacks and third-party solutions out there, either as an alternative or for older phones).

But say you just updated your Blackjack II or your Motorola Q9h to 6.1, and you just don't like having your text messages look like instant message conversations (why, we'll never understand). The enterprising souls over at MoDaCo have you covered.

It involves a wee bit of registry hackery (and has also been neatly wrapped into a cab file), and reportedly works on touchscreen and non-touchscreen devices.

If threaded SMS on WM6.1 just isn't your thing, check out the solution here. And as always, backup your device first.

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Microsoft Mobile Communications Group Manager Scott Rockfeld was on Fox Business chatting up quite a lot of Windows Mobile devices. The context of the discussion is basically “competitors to the iPhone,” which is a little aggravating because, let's face it, the iPhone and Windows Mobile aren't always going for the same demographic. Some of the smartphones shown off: HTC Diamond, HTC Touch Pro, and the BlackJack II.

Kudos to Fox's host for calling the original Motorola Q “a bust,” although it did sell over a million. In any case, it's a good watch to learn about the message that's getting out to folks who don't, you know, read blogs like WMExperts.com. Turns out such people are out there; we find it strange as well.

via

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Looks like the HTC Fuze is going to get a little extra time in the spotlight, as Sony Ericsson just confirmed to Engadget that the Xperia X1 is going to be delayed from their “2nd Half of 2008” to “December 2008 or January 2009.”

What I find odd is that it actually held up pretty well for our Hands-on Review of the Xperia X1 back in April. Engadget suspects that Sony Ericsson can't get a handle on making Windows Mobile 6.1 work cleanly and that's not a bad guess: jumping into making WinMo devices without any previous experience is hard.

Good luck to ya, SE, given how long you've been working on this since we saw it, we suspect you're going to need it.

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There's plenty more happening at this year's IFA than we expected. There was the news that the Xperia X1 was delayed. A hands-on with the HTC S740 (more on that in a bit), and now this sweet image, above, from Anton.

Toshiba's main foci at the IFA are their HD stuff, their environmentally friendly stuff, and heck, even gesture control stuff, but we're mostly attracted to the dual-screen hotness above. It's just a concept for now, but the idea seems to be to work that idea into a future Windows Mobile-based device. Let's just hope that whatever they end up with won't be as cripplingly ugly as the G910.

Of course, we're still waiting to see if the big T is going to be able to get any traction with their G810 or the G900, or heck, the G710.

In other words, Toshiba's got a proven track record for being able to pump out pretty cool devices. So we're optimistic that dual-screen, Windows Mobile-based devices could actually be in our future, even if the above is just at the concept stages. On the other hand, Toshiba does not have a track record yet of successful US releases, so we're not betting on seeing it at your local AT&T store.

Update: Engadget reports that the device is actually an “SD Multi Tool” to allow you to interact with photos and the like on SD cards. Toshiba Reps did tell Anton that the final product would likely be Windows Mobile-based, but for now we're putting this device in the “don't hold your breath waiting for a dual-screen-WM-slider-smartphone” category. Yeah, it's a small category.

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My, my. Look at that. Just as quickly as we learn of the existence of the HTC S740 - think a slightly longer Touch Pro with a numeric keypad and no touchscreen - we now get some hands-on goodness courtesy of NewMobile.

Mentioned is that the screen doesn't appear to auto-rotate with the help of an accelerometer and instead only switches from portrait to landscape when the keyboard is open. Makes sense, seeing as how this is a Windows Mobile Standard device, though you might want to watch video with the keyboard closed.

Otherwise, you still pretty much get the Diamond form, complete with the multi-faced, fingerprint magnet back.

Check out the rest of the photos here.

Via Engadget and Coolsmartphone

Want more? Of course you do. ce4you has a full-on review of the HTC S740 (here's a Google Translation).

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If you're getting tired of reading about the upcoming HTC Touch Pro and can't wait to get your hands on one, there's now a leaked date to whet your appetite that much more.

A thread at Sprintusers.com has leaked specs,with the Touch Pro going on sale Oct. 19, for $579 without contract, $329 with a two-year deal.

Also mentioned in the leak is the Samsung M540 Rant and M630 Highnote, though the folks at WMPowerUser doubts any Windows Mobile goodness in these.

Via Engadget Mobile & wmpoweruser

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Have 10 years in marketing, product management or development? Five-plus years in the mobile industry?

Experience working with mobile operators and marketplaces? Helped the initial launch of products in the mobile industry?

Why, that sounds like a few people we know around here!

Those are a few of the requirements of a job listing on seattle.computerjobs.com and spied by CNET as a possible indicator that Microsoft has its own applications store in the works.

The job title is listed as "Senior Project Manager - Skymarket," with the following description:

This is a unique opportunity and time of rapid change in the mobile industry for a Senior Product Manager in the Mobile Communications Services team to drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile.

Along with the responsibilities you might expect in this sort of job comes this particular nugget:

Preparation and driving the cross group collaboration with stakeholders in the commercial launch of the marketplace service with the launch of WM 7.

Interesting. Might that mean that Windows Mobile 7 will be held up for the creation of an app store? That might just be worth the wait.

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Weekly Software Wrangle - Week 16

Welcome to the Weekly Software Wrangle #16. There's a corral chock full of new, updated and free apps to overview, so pull on your cowboy boots and let's rodeo!

This week, WM Standard new software is Golden Tee Golf and Pinball Evolution. Updated software includes SmartMileage and Uno Free Fall. The free app this week is AIM.

WM Professional new software are WordPlay and Documents to Go Premium. Updated software includes Calligrapher 8.7 and Photo Contacts Pro 5. Freeware is PocketCAS.

Get those lassos out and lets rope in some apps for this week's Wrangle!

WM Standard: New

First up this week for a WM Standard app is Golden Tee Golf (Smartphone) v1.0.8 from InFusio Inc. I spent an awful lot of quarters playing the arcade version with my co-workers years ago.

Golden Tee

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Sony says Xperia X1 still on for Q4

Sony Ericsson's doing a little damage control after reports over the past several days said the much-hyped Windows Mobile Pro device would be delayed until possibly January.

A Reuters report has an SE spokeswoman saying that they're still "on target."

"There is absolutely no delay. The product is on track," Sony Ericsson spokeswoman Merran Wrigley said. "We have said it will roll out in Q4 and we are on target to do that."

So, we continue to wait. And wait. And wait some more. To pass the time, enjoy Dieter's hands-on with the Xperia X1 from CTIA back in April.

Via Engadget Mobile & WM Power User

Update: Can't get enough Xperia? A new promo video from Sony, after the break.

[via]

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Viigo, long one of our favorite RSS readers, recently updated its free Windows Mobile beta of Project Tango to version 3.0.18.

In the listed improvements are a U.S. Elections channel, options for the stocks services, and a channel for the Olympics, which, of course, are now over.

Also now available are live NFL scores, just in time for the beginning of the season Thursday.

Remember that this is a beta application, and there are bound to be some bugs. And while its multimedia capabilities are still behind that of Kinoma Play, it does pick up in the RSS reader category. And, best of all, it's free.

Check it out now at http://www.viigo.com/wmbeta.

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DIY Windows Mobile Drone

We normally refrain from using salty language here at WMExperts, but sometimes, well, sometimes something is just too bad ass and such a great example of the power of the platform that we can't help ourselves. Witness: The Windows Mobile-based remote-controlled airplane drone [via]. Sincerely, we're tearing up a little from the sheer awesome:

  • It's auto-piloted along a preset GPS path by the iPaq 6515 you see strapped to the bottom
  • It automatically takes pictures are pre-set GPS waypoints, instantly sent along by MMS.
  • It accepts course changes, camera commands, and more by SMS

You can download the code yourself to create your own drone. Chris Anderson, the heroric DIY Drone poster who created the software last year (seriously, how did we miss this?), notes that the software is still technically Beta. Our advice: toss some Qik realtime video streaming up in this rig.

Ladies and Gentlemen: this is why having an open platform that's easy to develop for is important.

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Managing space on your WM device is becoming less and less a concern as newer devices are coming with memory aplenty. But still, after a few months of installing and un-installing, storing pictures and documents, that device space can disappear. More importantly, sometimes an app will store cache on your device, depleting memory without your knowledge.

So how to know what is taking up the most space on your device? One way is to use Resco Explorer, which allows you to sort by directory size. Another is MemMaid which can show you memory space.

But both of those are pay apps (though highly recommend). Enter Mobile Monger a new freeware app that has a very unique method to inform you of your space allocation: it shows you.

Basically you launch the program and it shows you how much space something is taking up. Clicking on a directory will "zoom in" to show you details.

The program does require .NET 3.5 (download the .cab here!) and does zap resources, so don't use any other apps during the "scan" process. Redrawing the screen is also a bit slow, but hey...it's free and does it what it's suppose to, so give it a shot!

Download HERE

Via PocketNow

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Hotmail getting a revamp

One gripe we have had with Windows Live is that everything is all over the place. Instant messaging over here, email over there and nothing really in one core location. Windows live plans to make changes to that. The new Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3 is going to have things like a new UI, IM built into email (probably like Gmail), and an integrated calendar. Combine this with the fact that it

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AT&T this morning announced the new MOTO Q Global, which looks an awful lot like a silver Q9h.

Here's what you get in this new device:

  • A Motorola Q Global.
  • A silver Motorola Q Global.
  • A silver Motorola Q Global with Windows Mobile 6.1 installed.

Eh hem.

OK, OK. The on-board GPS now has access to AT&T Navigator, and that's a good thing.

There's no denying that the silver is pretty slick. And the Q9h is an old (and new) favorite around here. But is a new paint job on an aging workhorse really the sort of thing the foundering Moto should be turning to?

Still no oft-rumored WiFi? Not even more memory, or an upgraded processor? Never mind that if you're going to tout Windows Mobile 6.1 so hard - remember that it's available as a free download on the Q9h - you should probably show off the sliding panels in the glamour shot, which even a leaked picture managed to do.

Eh hem.

To add insult to injury, we have the following from the announcement, emphasis ours:

With a new pinstripe design accented with tasteful chrome elements and sleek metallic edging, the new Q brings a bit of class and a little something different to its users.

Eh HEM.

Don't know about you, but as much as we love the Q9h, we were feeling classy enough before this silvery little devil came into existence.

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Get your tweets on with ceTwit

We've previously discussed Tiny Twitter, a stand-alone Twitter client for WIndows Mobile pro and standard, and Twit Today, a today screen plug-in for touchscreen devices.

Now we bring you Kosertech's ceTwit. Version 2.0 of the popular microblogging app recently was released, and here's what you get:

  • Timeline display (merged and filtered)
  • Account storage
  • Status Updates
  • Direct Messages
  • Click to reply
  • Automated Refresh
  • Smartphone support
  • Avatars in timeline
  • Local caching of avatars
  • Squeezer support
  • Relative Timestamps
  • Follow/Unfollow
  • Twitpic support
  • ping.fm support
  • timeline updates while device is sleeping
  • audible/vibrate alerts
  • retweet
  • favorite
  • delete

Also offered from Kosertech is ceSnipURL, which makes long Web site addresses Twit-friendly right from your phone - a very handy feature.

To download the cab files directly to your phone: ceSnipURL, ceTwit 2.0 for touchscreen devices, and ceTwit 2.0 for non-touchscreen devices

You can follow ceTwit's developer here, and be sure to follow our feed, www.twitter.com/wmexperts.

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There's only a few days left for you to enter to win a free Celio Redfly -- you'll want to go do that, then, right? Right. In addition to the Redfly itself, we'll also be sending out 10 runner-up prizes: long-sleeve Redfly T-Shirts.

I recently received the Beta drivers for the Treo Pro, so I'll be giving those a shot with a Redfly this weekend. Meanwhile, if you missed it, check out our full review of the Redfly here.

Big ups to Celio for sponsoring the contest!

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My Treo 800w is sitting on my desk, plugged in, and not charging at all. Turns out I'm not the only one -- it's a common issue when the battery on the Treo 800w gets really and truly drained. Fortunately, aixguru in our forums has discovered a patch over on Palm's site. Go grab it and install in on your Treo 800w. Here's the score:

USB: If your device fails to detect any of the in-box USB accessories such as the power adapter, headset or sync cable, this update will resolve most of the detection issues.
Battery charging: When plugged into the charger, the device may not charge a completely discharged battery. This scenario is most likely to happen if you leave a dead battery for a few days before trying to charge it in the device.
This update is highly recommended for all Treo 800w devices.

We agree. Now all I have to do is figure out how I'm going to apply the patch given that my Treo isn't recognizing a charger at all. My plan: the Treo 800w shares the same battery as the Centro -- time to swap.

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Documents to Go, the popular alternative to Microsoft Office Mobile, is now available on Windows Mobile Professional Devices.

With the app you get:

  • Create, view and edit native Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, including in the Office 2007 format.
  • View native Adobe PDF files.
  • Decompress zipped files.
  • "Zip and send" files.
  • Create, view and edit Excel charts.
  • Access password-protected Word and Excel files (in 97-2004 formats).
  • And a slew of other goodies.

You can get Documents to Go Version 3.0031 in the WM Experts software store for $29.99.

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This is the week for Windows Mobile 6.1 updates, innit? First came the AT&T Tilt Update, then the XV6800 Update, and now we have a tip from Jared that you can get the Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the BlackJack II officially as well.

As is standard operating procedure with BlackJack updates -- this update is a major pain to set up -- requiring odd modem driver installations and secret key codes. Follow the instructions to a T.

It's been quite awhile since we showed you a video hands-on with Windows Mobile 6.1 on the BlackJack II, so we embedded that above to give you a taste of what you'll be looking at with this update. We'll be interested to see how this final ROM looks. We're hoping that it brings a little more speed to the BJII to help bring it up to par with Windows Mobile 6.1 on the Q9h. Maybe, just maybe, the competition between the two devices deserves another round?

Thanks, Jared!

Update: Yeah, not yet. As happened with the AT&T Tilt update, we have a download page claiming that it will provide you with a 6.1 update but no actual 6.1 update to be had. Samsung's byzantine update system combined with the fact that I'm on a Mac here added up to me missing the truth here. Thanks again to Jared for setting us straight.

Also: the above links have been taken down. Let's hope we see them again soon.

Update X2: Well, the instruction pages are back up, but the links to actually download the software updates are down. We recommend you use the time you'd normally spend spamming “refresh” on that page reading the instructions. We're not kidding, they're complex.

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In London today, HTC has announced the S740, which essentially takes the Touch Pro / Touch Diamond look and feel and applies it to Windows Mobile Standard. It's a welcome upgrade to the relatively disappointing HTC Vox/S710. We're looking at spec upgrades all around here, but nothing to actually make a Standard-edition smartphone on par with the current touchscreen hotness from HTC. Here's the rundown:

  • Windows Mobile 6.1
  • Size: 116.3 x 43.4 x 16.3 mm
  • Weight: 140g with battery
  • Networks: WCDMA/HSDPA: 900/2100 MHz for EU and Asia (Read: No 3G in the US)
  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
  • Display: 2.4-inch QVGA screen
  • Camera: 3.2 megapixel with fixed focus
  • Internal memory: 256 MB flash; 256 MB RAM
  • Memory card: microSD™
  • WLAN: 802.11b/g
  • Bluetooth®: 2.0 with EDR
  • GPS: GPS/AGPS
  • Interface: HTC ExtUSB™ (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 High-Speed)
  • Battery: 1000 mAh
  • FM Radio

We're a little bummed to see the 240x320 screen and the lack of US bands for the 3G, but glad to see that HTC hasn't forgotten about Standard Edition.

HTC: S740

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