Recent Articles

Phone Arena has a post chock full of Samsung-y goodness. Let's parse out what we're expecting here.

On AT&T, there's word that the “Mirage” we'd figured would be the US version of the Samsung Omnia (check out our Hardware Hands on and Software Hands on) is actually nothing more than the internal codename for the BlackJack III. The BJIII, if you recall, is expected to be the US version of the Samsung i780 (we figure the US brand will the the i788). In other words: take a BlackJack II and make it a touchscreen, Windows Mobile Pro device.

The Omnia should still be still en-route as well, though there's no new info on it beyond the fact that we now suspect that it's not the Mirage. Although we still expect it, it's not exactly heartening to see the FCC pass something called the SGH-A867 -- it's oddly it's lacking WiFi. Make of that what you will.

We're almost home now: next up is that both devices may also be destined for Verizon. The SCH-i770 will be Verizon's version of the BlackJack III, a rumor that makes sense given Verizon's penchant for uninspiring names. The Omnia is also apparently on deck for Verizon, too.

Clear as mud? Don't worry, we feel the same way.

via Engadget Mobile and BGR

p.s. one piece of bad news: the relatively cool QWERTY Slider, the i640, is coming to the US; It's coming with a custom Samsung OS, though, not Windows Mobile.

A heads up for Treo 750 users:

If for some inexplicable reason you have yet to download the official Windows Mobile 6 update — yes, we understand there can be legitimate reasons not to — you now have one month left to do so before Palm pulls it. You don't have to immediately install it, but the Palm won't be hosting it after Oct. 31. Go get it here.

And if you've been holding out in hopes of an official Windows Mobile 6.1 update, stop it. It's not going to happen, never mind Microsoft's early stories to the contrary.  (Yeah, we're still holding that grudge.) There are, however, other avenues to explore, but do so at your own risk.

Meanwhile, may we interest you in a shiny, new Treo 850?

Back before Opera Mobile became an everyday alternative to Internet Explorer, and long before we'd ever heard of Skyfire (go get it now!), there lived a little beta named Deepfish.

This little guy was going to swim the deepest, darkest Internet oceans as no mobile browser had before - rendering full Web pages on your Windows Mobile device. That's pretty standard stuff these days with the Opera 9.5 and Skyfire betas, but we were pretty excited at the time.

But the number of Deepfish beta testers was pretty limited, and it largely fell off everyone's radar. Witness: Microsoft put the gaff to Deepfish more than a month ago, and we're all just now noticing. [via]

Meanwhile, The Unwired earlier this week took IE 6 for a spin. (See a pic above.) Again, chances are you'll be completely comfortable with Opera or Skyfire by the time this is released, but it's release is important nonetheless, given that it's supposed to tide us over until the delayed Windows Mobile 7 is launched in the second half of next year.

Yes, folks, my Treo Pro just landed here at WMExperts. Big thanks to everybody who sent in tips that their Treo Pros have shipped. If this weren't the internet, I'd invite you to touch my blessed, blessed head. Since we've already covered the thing six ways from Sunday (Find the full Treo Pro Review and links to a lot more coverage here), I figured the thing to do was lay out just how exactly I'm rocking this thing.

After the break, find Dieter's list of what's installed on his Treo Pro and what accessories he's rocking with it, too.

Software

SPB Mobile Shell 2 ($29.95)

What can I say about Mobile Shell that hasn't already been said in this full review? Not much: except that I still love it and using it with a flush screen makes it even better. I don't use their custom Today Screen replacement, however, as I prefer the modularity of their standard Today Screen Plugin

Kinoma Play ($29.99)

Are you surprised after I gushed about Kinoma Play in our review? You shouldn't be. Kinoma Play + 3.5mm headset jack + 8 gig memory card == bliss.

Resco File Explorer 2008 ($29.95)

Read the full review. If you want a powerhouse file manager and a great Registry editor, Resco is the one.

Opera Mobile 9.5 Beta (Free)

It's not perfect, but it's still my favorite next-gen browser for Windows Mobile Pro Touchscreen devices.

Skyfire .8 (free)

Just out and just great for multimedia web browsing.

SEVEN Beta (free)

Still the easiest way to get push email from non-Exchange email. Note: they're moving offices right now (Sept 26th), so there will be some intermittent downtime

GooSync (Free or Subscription)

I live in Gmail, so I need that gmail contact and calendar info synced. GooSync is the best of what I've tried.

GPSToday (free)

GPS Info on your today screen: as Malatesta said, is “killer.”

BeeJive IM (Free)

My favorite multi-client IM app right now.

...That about does it for software that's not baked-in. Of course I use Live Search, Google Maps, Telenav, and a few other pieces of built-in software like, oh, Outlook on a daily basis. I'll be adding some games and a few other games and bits as time goes on.

Accessories

maximo iMetal Isolation Headset ($69.95)

The stock headphones with the Treo Pro aren't actually all that bad, but I need noise isolating headphones and I didn't really want to give up having a microphone and button. These maximos do the job quite nicely.

BlueAnt Z9i ($74.95)

It's my favorite Bluetooth headset right now -- check out our review of its precedessor, the Z9.

SPE Sync 'n Charge Retractable Cable ($11.95)

Good in a pinch and small.

SanDisk 8gb microSDHC Card ($89.95)

Two of them, actually.

Redfly Mobile Companion ($199)

Yep, I need to pay for this stuff too and yep, the $200 price drop got me to purchase the Redfly.

It's pretty well known that Microsoft has no plans of making a Zune phone. And Silicon Valley Insider recently ran a piece [via] reiterating that Redmond has no intentions of manufacturing its own hardware, a la Apple with the iPhone and RIM with the BlackBerry.

As SVI notes, and we agree, this still isn't that much of a surprise. Microsoft appears quite content to just be an operating system supplier working hand-in-hand with the manufacturers. And it's not like the Microsoft brand is losing ground.

Despite having its own gadget design teams -- which make the Zune and Xbox -- Microsoft has "no plans to build our own phone," says Scott Rockfeld, group product manager for Windows Mobile. "Right now we're happy to share the limelight," he adds.

And let's go one further: In our post last week about the semi-official/rumored/not-that-surprising delay of Windows Mobile 7, MSFT raved about the improvements customizations that third parties are making to Windows Mobile, such as HTC's TouchFlo 3D.

With the sexy devices HTC has been cranking out like pancakes, and even the new phones from Palm, why muddy the waters? And remember that the acquisition of Sidekick-maker Danger is less about the platform and more about services. Let HTC do what it does best - make great phones. Let Microsoft worry about making an OS we can all be proud to use.

And remember what the almighty Steve Jobs himself told The New York Times early this year.

"Having created a phone, it's a lot harder than it looks."