On October 8th we had the article “Need a SIP?” about an alternative SIP (Soft Input Panel) that you could get for your device. (The SIP is the pop-up keyboard/keypad that is found on Pocket PC’s)
Now Mobility Site has an article about a interesting new SIP called Slideit that might be worth checking out. The article, including a video demonstration, can be found HERE.
We’ve had a few postings regarding Windows Mobile 6.1, but up to now it has all been unofficial, at least as far as Microsoft is concerned.
Today Microsoft officially announced the release of Windows Mobile 6.1 at the CTIA convention in Las Vegas.
The Boy Genius Report “Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1. Finally” can be found HERE.
Brighthand and “Microsoft Announces Windows Mobile 6.1 *Update 2*” can be found HERE.
Engadget and “Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.1, Device Upgrades” can be found HERE.
Mobility Site and “Press Release: Windows Mobile 6.1 Announced” can be found HERE.
Pocket PC Thoughts and “Windows Mobile 6.1: New Features at a Glance” can be found HERE.
the:unwired and “OFFICIAL: Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.1 and Internet Explorer 6″ can be found HERE.
Finding non-phone based devices is getting harder and harder. Dell had a popular and moderately priced series of devices with the Axim line, both VGA and non-VGA. Unfortunately, Dell left the Windows Mobile business in 2007 although recent rumors indicate they may be working on a WM Smartphone device.
We’ve posted recent articles regarding the VGA HP iPAQ 210, but there is also a more moderatly priced QVGA iPAQ that is also worth your consideration.
Mobility Site has more information about the iPAQ 110 series which can be found HERE.
Dell stopped selling the popular Axim line of VGA and non-VGA devices last year, but rumors lately indicate that Dell may be getting back into the Windows Mobile business. (Although this time with a Smartphone based device)
You can read about it HERE from Engadget.
What is Google Gears? In a nutshell, an application installed on a Windows Mobile 5 or 6 device that allows “offsite” access to web based applications. However, there are currently few “Google Gear” enabled websites, but if the concept takes off that will change.
The Brighthand article “Google Gears Debuts for Windows Mobile” has the details HERE.
On December 9th, we had a post regarding Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard Edition. (For non-touchscreen Smartphones) Now there is more information on the Professional version for Smartphones with a touchscreen.
The Brighthand article “More Details Emerge About Windows Mobile 6.1″ can be found HERE.
Update: Brighthand now has a very comprehensive iPAQ 210 Review which can be found HERE.
_____________________________________________________________________
Hewlett Packard (HP) announces the iPaq 200 Series Handheld
Overview
Over the last couple of years, all the new and exciting devices seemed to be phone based handhelds. The “traditional” non-phone PDA seemed to be going the way of the dinosaur. Even more scarce were devices with a “VGA” screen. Two of the more popular and readily available VGA PocketPC’s were the HP hx4700 and Dell x51v. Sadly, both devices were discontinued in 2007 leaving it nearly impossible to find a high-res VGA handheld. Recently I’ve had a number of queries from individuals looking for a VGA handheld and until now I’ve not been able to give them a good answer.
What is VGA?
Most PocketPC’s have a 240 x 320 screen (Quarter VGA or QVGA). VGA PocketPC’s have a 480 x 640 screen. One might reasonably assume that 4 times the amount of information could be displayed on a VGA screen versus a QVGA screen. However, that is not how VGA devices have been implemented in Windows Mobile. There are a number of advantages though:
More Information
According to the HP website, the iPaq 200 Series is not yet available. When available, the MSRP will be 449.99 USD and along with VGA also includes:
(see the HP website for a specific 200 series model to verify specifications, some discrepancies appear between the various sources of information)
For additional information and commentary about all 5 new HP devices, see Brighthand, Pocket PC Thoughts, and PocketNow.
Kevin Phillips
Sony Ericsson, one of the largest providers of advanced cellular phones in the World, sold 103 MILLION cell phones in 2007 and is the best-selling phone brand in the Nordic countries. (Running on the Symbian operating system) However, SE has announced that in the 2nd half of 2008, they will introduce a Windows Mobile device. With this introduction, Microsoft will have Windows Mobile licensing deals with 4 of the 5 top phone manufacturers in the World!
The new device will be called the XPERIA X1 and will have a slide out QWERTY keyboard, a 480×800 screen, up to 400MB of memory, a 3.2 megapixel camera, “aGPS” support and other advanced features. The Sony Ericsson press release for the XPERIA X1 can be found HERE.
This information has received a lot of attention with the various online news sources, links follow:
The Boy Genius Report - Sony Ericsson goes big with the XPERIA X1 and XPERIA White Paper Issued to Developers; New Details.
Brighthand - Sony Ericsson Unveils Its First Windows Mobile Smartphone and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 First Thoughts Preview
Engadget - Sony Ericsson ties up with Microsoft for Windows Mobile devices and No wonder Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA X1 is so good: HTC makes it and Hands-on with Sony Ericsson’s world beating XPERIA X1
Mobility Site - Sony Ericsson Unveils the XPERIA X1
Pocket PC Thoughts - It’s Official: Sony Ericsson and Windows Mobile Come Together and Three Reasons Why the Xperia Matters
WMExperts - Sony Ericsson Joins the Windows Mobile Camp! and Sony XPERIA X1 Runs WM 6.1
The Web Browser that comes with the Apple iPhone has gotten a lot of good press for it’s usability, something that can’t really be said for the version of Internet Explorer that comes with Windows Mobile. However, there is a new free downloadable (beta) for a browser that sounds like a huge improvement for the Windows Mobile platform.
Information about the Skyfire web browser can be found at the following sites:
Brighthand calls it “far and away the best browser for Windows Mobile I’ve ever seen”… article can be found HERE.
Engadget calls it “game changing”, article can be found HERE.
Mobility Site calls it “promising” and has a video demo HERE.
Pocket PC Thoughts give their thoughts on the Skyfire HERE.
the::unwired says Skyfire “Delivers the PC Web experience on phones” and their article can be found HERE.
WMExperts says it “Beats the Pants Off the iPhone — No Foolin” and their article can be found HERE.
In order to sign up for the beta, you need a Windows Mobile 5 or 6 phone and have a U.S. phone number although if you are outside the U.S., you can still sign up and they will notify you when it’s available for your country.
Sign up HERE.
The Inside Microsoft blog claims to have confidential inside information regarding Windows Mobile 7. (Think iPhone)
You decide… a real “leak” or bogus? (And is the “leak” intentional on Microsofts part?)
Click HERE for all the juicy details.