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Pocket PC Thoughts
Pocket PC Thoughts (feeds.pocketpcthoughts.com) has great Windows Mobile news, photos, videos and more
Wednesday, Sep 23
Opinion: Dressed to the Nines - the ACER F900 Windows Mobile Phone
128 MB of RAM isn't sufficient for such an advanced device;Screen isn't as touch sensitive as many competitors;Acer Shell touch interface lacks the pizazz and depth of HTC's TouchFlo.Summary: Will we ever be able to write another touchscreen phone review without mentioning the iPhone...
Thursday, Jun 4
Windows Mobile Mindshare...It Has Almost None
4) Despite less-than-stellar sales, notice how the Zune has tremendous mindshare against the iPod? Other competitors rarely get mentioned, even though I'm sure Sandisk sells more MP3 players than Microsoft does. Windows Mobile has the same problem it's always had: selling an operati...
Wednesday, Jun 3
Pharos Traveler 137 Now Available, Upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6.5
The specs? A Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528 MHz processor, 256MB RAM, 512MB ROM, quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band (1700/1900/2100 MHz) UMTS/HSUPA/HSDPA connectivity, a stunning 3.5", 480 x 800 touch screen, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, an FM tuner, aGPS, dual-cameras (3.0-megapixel on...
Monday, May 25
Further Traveling with Pharos -- the Traveler 127 reviewed
As with the T117, the 127 seems to take a long time to reload from a soft reset -- generally a minute or more. Once in a while, the screen would blank out during the reset or seemed to stop at the Windows Mobile green screen. Hitting the soft reset button again quickly brought things back.
Thursday, May 21
Windows Mobile 7 To Feature Richer App Integration
As far as I'm aware, the "connectors" and "Unified Storage" referred to here is a new concept for WM7. Unfortunately the job description doesn't go into any details, but in the context of communications, I'm predicting it's a new framework designed to handle all the communication storag...
Wednesday, May 20
Half Baked Better Than Stagnant?
So that's nice, they fixed a problem and even blogged about it to let us know. This little blog post, though, did more than inform me about a bug fix - it further annoyed me at the current state of Windows Mobile. My gripe today boils down to one thing: speed. Not speed of the operating system, but s...
Monday, Apr 20
What's Missing in Windows Mobile?
This simple feature isn't something I think is planned for the future of Windows Mobile, and perhaps not something everyone would need. But then again, there are many features of my device I don't particularly need, but would be nice to have. Many of us install third-party applications in o...
Monday, Apr 13
Microsoft Getting Serious About Windows Update For Devices?
It is going to not only have to be as easy and worry free as the iPhone update mechanism, but as powerful as well. Apple has kept the iPhone users that originally purchased the device in 2007 up to date where the hardware allows, and the new 3.0 OS will still work on those original two year old iPho...
Tuesday, Mar 31
Opinion: A Windows Man Goes Google
The GMail switch went seemless on my desktop after I dumped my calendar & contacts in Google, but I had one problem: My beloved Pocket PC. Gone was easy Exchange activesync for e-mail, although it still existed for calendars and contacts. Moving off Exchange e-mail on my Pocket PC to clu...
Saturday, Mar 21
Even More Details on HTC 2009 Roadmap
This is getting better and better! Not only do we have more details of the HTC 2009 models mentioned before, we now have 5 more models to slaver over - note that two of the new ones are WM Standard devices. What strikes me most is the general move toward 128MB RAM and WVGA as standard, and the firs...
Thursday, Mar 19
Microsoft to Charge Developers a Submission Token/Fee Per App Update?
Consumers aren't going to like the first and second outcomes. The third outcome conflicts with the very purpose of Microsoft establishing its own marketplace. And generally, all outcomes are highly undesirable if Microsoft aims to stave off the competition, and make Windows Mobile as a...
Wednesday, Mar 18
The Way Phone Upgrades Should Be Done
That problem is one of the main reasons why I hardly use any third party applications on my devices any more - it's just too frustrating and time consuming to get it back to the way it was before the upgrade. I often use the example when talking to Windows Mobile team members of desktop Windows:...
Thursday, Mar 12
Travelling with Pharos -- A Review of the Traveller 117
As you can see, the Traveller 117 comes with what is now pretty much the standard set of accessories for Smartphones. The most surprising (and welcome!) change was the earbuds with a 2.5mm headphone plug. Here's hoping this is a start of a trend away from using the microUSB port for charging, s...
Tuesday, Mar 10
Which Windows Phone are Windows Mobile MVPs Using?
Last week, Microsoft hosted the annual MVP (Most Valuable Professional) summit in Seattle (which I was - unfortunately and the first time - unable to attend as well). There, straight on the Microsoft campus, my fellow MVP Todd Ogasawara from Mobile Devices Today recorded a short video wh...
Thursday, Feb 26
Ballmer: No Microsoft Phone. No Windows Mobile 7 Until 2010.
Ballmer re-affirmed his oft-repeated statement that Microsoft will not be making a Microsoft Phone, saying it was committed to the licensing model... Regarding the operating system itself, Steve Ballmer mentioned the unveiling of Windows Mobile 6.5 last week, and also clearly stated Wi...
Wednesday, Feb 25
EU to Force Microsoft to Bundle Competing Browsers on Windows and Windows Mobile
The EU will require Microsoft to package third party browser software with Windows. Furthermore, it will require Microsoft to provide further support efforts to make third party browsers' interface with Windows components like Windows Explorer as efficient as Internet Explorer's. T...
Monday, Feb 16
LG Now Primarily On Windows Mobile
In exchange for picking Microsoft, LG will work closely to better integrate the operating system with devices, which has proven to be a problem for Windows Mobile in the past. LG has created a new user interface called S-Class, which makes Windows Mobile more modern and touch-screen frie...
Sunday, Feb 15
Windows Mobile 6.5 Screen Shot Walk-Through
Say hello to Windows Mobile 6.5 - a handful of screen shots from the current alpha code that is. Windows Mobile 6.5 represents a significant departure from previous versions of Windows Mobile in terms of user interface, finger friendliness, and certainly in terms of browser functionality....
HTC Announces HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2
HTC TOUCHFLO 3D INTEGRATED WITH WINDOWS MOBILEThe HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 utilize HTC's latest TouchFLO 3D interface. TouchFLO 3D has been more deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver more consistency throughout Windows Mobile applic...
Wednesday, Jan 14
The Professional Touch...a Review of HTC's Touch Pro (aka AT&T Fuze)
Figure 1: The Touch Pro package includes (clockwise from top left) Windows Mobile CD with Activesync, HTC Care Warranty information, Applications CD with Sprite Backup and User Manual, extra stylus, universal USB wall charger (the review unit came with a European power plug), stereo...
Monday, Jan 5
Pharos Brings the Traveler 117, 127 and 619 to North America
The Traveler 619 is an unlocked Windows Mobile handset that features a spacious QWERTY keyboard with large keys designed for easier input. For mobile field workers and those who simply prefer working with keys that are easier to see and manipulate, the Traveler 619 provides a powerful sm...
Saturday, Dec 27
Google Android Cutting Into Windows Mobile Marketshare
This is unsurprising news. In 2008 we saw a drastic increase in touch based Windows Mobile devices, such as the HTC Touch Pro and HTC Touch HD but at the same time we also saw almost all Windows Mobile device makers move away from Windows Mobile Standard platform, which in my opinion is the bre...
Wednesday, Dec 24
Feel In Touch: The Samsung Omnia Reviewed
The Omnia also includes Samsung's "Touch Player", a more finger centric and friendly interface to listen to music compared to regular old Windows Media Player that we've had since the stylus-intense days of old. Wow Cool" Features Windows Mobile Customization
Tuesday, Dec 23
Mobius 2008, Winter Edition
• There is no "Windows" of the mobile world, meaning a single standard that unifies everything. Lots of pieces: Windows Mobile, Android (Linux), RIM (Java), Palm, Mac OS, Series 60 Figure 18: Live Mesh is a platform upon which many Microsoft services are going to be based.
Thursday, Dec 18
Will the ZuneUI Influence Windows Mobile?
Instead of having two separate teams work on possibly related devices, it seems that Microsoft is merging its Zune user interface team with the team that works on Windows Mobile. If this rumor holds up to be true, it could very well mean that the first ZunePhone won't be running on its own pla...
Tuesday, Dec 9
Patch: Skype for Windows Mobile 2.5 Beta Released
Based on feedback from you guys, our Mobile team have overhauled Skype for Windows Mobile and released Beta 2.5. It features improved sound quality, better stability and a more familiar user interface. Download it now and give it a whirl."
Tuesday, Nov 25
Rampant Rumour: The Microsoft Phone, Powered by Nvidia?
This is easily the snarkiest, most acid-dripping hack job I've seen in months - and I was shocked until I saw that it's syndicated content from The Inquirer...then it all made sense to me. Putting aside the ridiculous excuse for journalism - it's really an editorial, not a news story - there are...
No Internet Explorer Mobile 6 For You...Unless You Buy a New Phone Next Year
There has been a few rants posted over the last week or so about the statement that was made on a Microsoft Windows Mobile blog pertaining to the apparent lack of support for existing devices to support the upcoming Internet Explorer Mobile 6 web browser. James is one person not happy about i...
Monday, Nov 24
HTC Touch Pro Unboxing and First Impressions
The HTC Touch Pro uses a Qualcomm MSM7201A CPU at 528 MHz, runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, and has 512 MB of storage ROM and 288 MB of system RAM. It is 102mm tall, 51mm wide, and 18.05mm thick. It weighs 165 grams with its 1340 mAh battery. It has a 2.8 inch VGA screen, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11 b/...
Wednesday, Nov 19
Watch Those Bytes with Spb Wireless Monitor 3.0
Spb GPRS Monitor is dead. But, all is not lost, as the new Spb Wireless Monitor 3.0 is now available for all flavours of Windows Mobile. Head over to our affiliate software store (Pocket PC - Professional, Smartphone - Standard) for free trial versions and/or full versions for $19.95. Upgrades...
Friday, Nov 14
Looking At the Competition: The Blackberry Bold
Being so heavily Windows Mobile-centric, I find it interesting when I can get my hands on devices from companies that compete with Windows Mobile. I had an opportunity to play with a RIM Blackberry Bold earlier this week, and was extremely impressed with the hardware. I thought it might be u...
Touch Pro Reviewed at Mobile Tech Review, 4WinMobile
The HTC Touch Pro is undeniably one of the hottest PDA phones of 2008. And in the US, just as with the HTC Touch Diamond, Sprint customers get to sample it first. Previously available only as a GSM import with no US 3G, the Sprint version is the first carrier-branded Touch Pro. Rumor has it that AT...
Wednesday, Nov 12
Could This Be Windows Mobile 6.5?
While the arrival of Windows Mobile 6.5 for the year 2009 was announced here and there, then confirmed by Steve Balmer himself at the PDC 2008, Smartphone France is very pleased to present exclusive World 2 first screenshots of what should be Windows Mobile 6.5. If for the moment there is no re...
Tuesday, Oct 28
WMExperts Reviews the Samsung Epix
Over the past few weeks, we've played the name game with this new Samsung phone. Now that the curtain has risen to reveal the true identity of the i907 Epix, we shared themanual and reported on the AT&T availability. While a lot has been written on the specifications and features of this n...
Thursday, Oct 23
Fight Night 2008: Diamonds vs. Androids
HTC Touch Diamond and T-Mobile G1 side profile] HTC Touch Diamond, T-Mobile G1 and Samsung Blackjack required stacking picture] Size comparison of T-Mobile G1, Samsung Blackjack and HTC Touch Diamond in relation to the a US Dollar bill.]
You May Lose The Ability To Sent Email Via SMTP On Windows Mobile 6.1 Device
This behavior is associated with a feature that is introduced in Windows Mobile 6.1. The feature allows for mobile operators to specify an alternate SMTP server name that is used if e-mail messages cannot be sent by using the user-specified SMTP server name. If the mobile operator does not s...
Wednesday, Oct 22
Mobile Computer Hands-on with HP iPaq Voice Messenger and iPaq Data Messenger
Slide-out QWERTY keyboard and 5-way control Operating System: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional edition GPS: integrated support6 Bluetooth: 2.0 + EDR1 Charge/sync connector: Micro USB Proximity sensor for touchscreen control while on a call
Wednesday, Oct 15
Windows Mobile 7: 2010 and Counting
However there is that completely irrational and paranoid portion of my brain secretly thinks that with this latest delay Microsoft is planning some big marketing event to have Windows 7 and Windows Mobile 7 launch at the same time in a scheme to try and build an amount of excitement and gid...
Monday, Oct 13
Opinion: iWindowsMobile Communication Suite Changes Windows Mobile
It seems like the iPhone has breathed new life into the ideas behind Windows Mobile (WM) user experience. With its attractive graphical user interface and smooth visual effects - the Apple device is not only eye-pleasing but also intuitive - it's not surprising to see these features migr...
Tuesday, Oct 7
HTC Touch HD Called an iPhone Killer in Early Review
Not even a fortnight after HTC's Touch HD went official in Germany, out pops a review from Deutschland calling it the best thing since sliced bread. Okay, so maybe our translation skills are a bit off, but one thing's for sure -- it was hailed as the first "iPhone killer to deserve that name." R...
Thursday, Oct 2
Zune Experience Coming to Windows Mobile
Putting the Zune software onto Windows Mobile gives Microsoft a bunch of advantages: first, it lets them stop developing Windows Media Player Mobile, a piece of software that has sadly languished for years, hardly getting any updates or improvements. Secondly, it gives end users a grea...
Tuesday, Sep 23
Rumor: Windows Mobile 7 Delayed
The good news is that since Microsoft is taking so long to announce anything and it has been so many years since we have had a real update to the operating system - homescreen plugins don’t count - there is a good chance that Windows Mobile 7 will be the mythical merging of platforms that we hav...
Wednesday, Jul 18
MobileTechReview Reviews the E-TEN Glofiish X500+
As you might guess from the name, the E-TEN Glofiish X500+ is the near identical twin to the Glofiish X500 we reviewed in January 2007. It's a Windows Mobile 6 Professional (Pocket PC Phone) that's loaded to the max, including an internal GPS, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, WiFi 802.11b/g, 2 megapixel c...
Monday, Jul 2
HTC Kaiser Previewed
As he points out, HTC left virtually nothing out of the P4550 as Windows Mobile-based QWERTY sliders go; the 256MB of onboard Flash, 128MB of RAM, 3 megapixel cam, HSUPA, and trick flip-up display all set new marks for lustworthiness in the category. What's more, the device is said to be rea...
Wednesday, Apr 18
Opinion: Save $10 on Helium Digital's HDBT-700 Bluetooth Headphones
People with Windows Mobile devices – whether they be network-connected smartphones with the latest EVDO or UMTS wireless technology, or PDAs using 802.11b WiFi – all have one thing in common: they want to get rid of all the wires. I can recall the days when PDAs required connecting to a phone...
Friday, Apr 6
Opinion: Menneisyys Releases Windows Mobile Web Browsing Bible I & II
Once again, Werner "Menneisyys" Ruotsalainen tackles a review with encyclopedic enthusiasm. (For fun, I pasted the text into Word and did a word count...12,000+ ) In this review, he looks at Pocket Internet Explorer, Opera Mobile, NetFront, Minimo, Opera Mini, ThunderHawk, PIEPlus, Mul...
Wednesday, Mar 28
From the Perspective of a Pocket PC Veteran - Samsung’s Blackjack SmartPhone Reviewed
I'd reply that most such devices were either too large as a cell phone or too small and limited as a PDA, at least for my needs and preferences. Some recent devices that look and act much like a PDA, but with roughly the same size as a cell phone, have tempted me to take the plunge. So here's my revie...
Friday, Mar 23
Digital Trends Reviews The Treo 750
Windows Mobile 5.0 is an operating system that some people swear by and some people swear at. Unlike its Palm-powered Cingular/AT&T twin the 680, the Treo 750 offers 3G UMTS broadband data services with promises to go full-fledged HSDPA sometime this year. The 750 has 128MB of internal...
Wednesday, Mar 14
Patch: Microsoft Device Emulator 2.0 Released
Microsoft Device Emulator 2.0 is the second publicly released version of the Device Emulator for ARM-based Devices. This emulator is also being released with the Windows Mobile 6 SDK and the Adaptation Kit (AK) releases of Windows Mobile 6 and Windows Embedded CE 6.0. Device Emulator 2.0 rel...
