It has been just a few days since Microsoft launched Windows Mobile 6.5. At the time of launch, Microsoft made it pretty clear that it has already started working on Windows Mobile 7. With the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5, there were also talks that there would be an update for Windows Mobile 6.5 which would probably get the name Windows Mobile 6.5.1.
Microsoft just now released a new web app called Create your Own Start Button. Yes it is one of those apps that enables you to design your very own Windows phone button and give it your personal look and feel. But the bad thing is that it doesn’t allow you to use the customized Windows phone button onto your smartphone.
WMPoweruser has posted a couple of videos that demonstrate the improvements and additions to HTC’s TouchFlo3D interface. Focus is on finger friendly navigation, but the demo is on a resistive screen. It has a better photo viewer than before and an album view that can be best described as a Coverflow knock off. Some inspiration from the HTC Hero Sense theme is also visible. While all these improvements look amazing, and WMPoweruser goes on to say it gives Coverflow a run for its money, it’s really slow when running!
The great thing about TouchFlo3D in my opinion? The theme is now skin deep in Windows Mobile. The settings panels are all skinned in TouchFlo3D as well, so you wouldn’t see a mixture of two themes but instead TouchFlo3D all around. Check out the cool demos below:
Permalink: New HTC TouchFlo3D 2.6 updates for Windows Mobile
Not much is known about Windows Mobile 7 at this point. The most recent update has been from Stephen Chapman on Microsoft seeking testers for Windows Mobile 7 Search and Browser teams. I recently stumbled across this interesting patent based on messaging system controllable by gestures. Microsoft applied for a patent for Controlling an Integrated Messaging System Using Gestures which says:
Methods and apparatus for displaying and interacting with messages are described. Messages are displayed using one of a number of different visualization schemes provided. A user can interact with messages or change the selected visualization scheme using gestures and the mapping of gestures to particular actions is different for different visualization schemes. In an embodiment the messages are received via integrated messaging channels and messages are classified using a number of properties. Each of the visualization schemes has a different way of graphically representing messages and each scheme is adapted to emphasize a different combination of message properties.
Permalink: Microsoft’s patent for gesture based messaging system
AT&T is set to release HTC Touch Diamond2, codenamed Warhawk, next month. It’ll be equipped with Windows Mobile 6.5, a 3.2 MP camera, expandable memory and of course, a 3.2-inch shiny touch screen.
Permalink: Download TouchFlo 3D 2.5 Theme for Windows Mobile 6.5
Permalink: Windows Mobile 6.5 Marketplace Apps will be for sale in only 29 countries; OS built in 9 months
Wmpoweruser has published a list of restrictions (via WMExperts) imposed on developers for their apps to be approved for Windows Mobile Marketplace. The restrictions seem to have been totally inspired by Apple, which is really not a good thing. It also means that some previously popular Windows Mobile apps will be ineligible for Windows Marketplace. In a nutshell, here’s what you’ll be missing
Permalink: How Windows Mobile Marketplace’s restrictions could make it dead on arrival
Microsoft seems to be on a role lately. The ‘Laptop Hunters’ series has really put a dent in the egos of Apple followers and Microsoft critics who have been defending the ‘Apple Tax’ and pointing fingers at the ads. The ads have certainly been greeted with a positive response by those towards whom they are targeted at – the average consumers. Now, it seems that Windows Mobile 6.5 will have a good time as well.
This Monday, Microsoft announced its partners for Windows Marketplace for Mobile. The list is huge and contains the heavy weighs of mobile application development. These partners will develop applications which will provide new and unique gaming, social networking, media, utility and personal productivity experiences. The lengthy list includes:
| AccuWeather.com | The Associated Press |
| CNBC | Developer One Mobile Software |
| EA Mobile | |
| Gameloft | Glu Mobile |
| Handmark | Ilium Software Inc. |
| Jeyo Inc. | Kinoma |
| LiteScape | Magmic Games |
| Melodis Corp. | MySpace |
| Namco Networks | Netflix |
| Pandora | PhatWare Corp. |
| Resco s.r.o. | ShoZu Inc. |
| Sling Media Inc. | SBSH Mobile Software |
| Spb Software | Web Information Solutions Inc. |
Zagat Survey
Seeing the success of the iPhone as a social networking device, Microsoft has appropriately focused on providing an engaging experience for Windows Phones. Microsoft has created a Facebook app which will launch this April with capabilities to capture video on their phones and upload it to Facebook, something which the current iPhones cant do. A new MySpace application will also be released this summer giving Windows Phone users real time access to their network.
Permalink: Windows Mobile strikes back
Apparently, My Phone went online earlier than planned. And as expected, Microsoft has provided an explanation about it which I came across on mobility site:
Permalink: Update on My Phone from Microsoft
