Weekly Windows Mobile Roundup On July 12th 2008

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Samsung Omnia Or HTC Diamond? Which Would You Choose?

Apple fanatics and sheep those who like to follow the crowd sure have it easy. When the iPhone launched, they didn’t have a choice (save for whether they wanted a contract or not). Now, they only have to choose between an 8GB and 16GB version, not really a tough decision if you ask me. Unfortunately, us Windows Mobile users are not as lucky.

We have to choose between the HTC Diamond and the Samsung Omnia, both very formidable devices with great specifications and features. Should you get the Diamond which comes with a smaller screen or the Omnia which packs a 5MP camera capable of smile-detection?

Well GSM Arena will try to help you make that decision with their 9 page write-up which should be enough to sway you in one direction. The choice would still have to come from you though. Oh, the perils of being a Windows Mobile device owner. (via GSM Arena)

Sprint To Be First Carrier of Diamond In USA?

At the moment, that seems to be the case with a September 2 launch being planned. We’ve not heard anything from the other carriers so the title’s still up for grabs. Until then, the specs are still pretty much the same as the other Diamonds out there with some minor changes:

• 3G UMTS is now replaced with EVDO Rev A
• Battery is now rated at 1340 (instead of 900mAh)

Those are still preliminary specs though which means Sprint can still remove other features before the launch date itself. If that happens, we’ll be sure to let you in on it. (via WMExperts)

Andy Lees’s Take On Windows Mobile

Many people have asked me why I am still sticking with Windows Mobile now that the iPhone is here. To me, I don’t have (and want) to defend my choices with regards to Windows Mobile. I let the product speak for itself. I might highlight my experience, but that would be in another article altogether. Andy Lees, Senior Vice President of Mobile Communications for Microsoft though has spoken out at a recent partner conference and he said:

Nokia has — and actually Apple, both have basic support for business productivity, Apple with their new update where they just provide very basic connectivity into Exchange, not as rich as you would get on Windows Mobile. But as far as the programming models that they provide, they really aren’t robust enough for application development outside of the browser, and so for you to be able to provide application platform business solutions, certainly we provide a much richer way of doing that.

That plus the fact that MS shipped 4.5 million licenses (which translates to units), which was an increase of 1.8 million, was more than the 1.7 million iPhones shipped in the same period. For the full script, head over here to see what was discussed. (via WMExperts)

Hinavigator - Touch To Go 1.5 Released

When I first heard about this application, I thought it was another navigation program. You must have had the same thoughts too? Well let’s clear the air right now because it’s not. The developers says it:

is a software package that allows you to launch programs, make calls, view weather information, access Phone profiles, do ALT-TAB, turn on/off today Plug-ins, navigate your device by only one hand and more…

From my first impressions of it, it looks to be like a Today screen plugin kind of launcher with a few other features thrown in. Now I have not toyed around with the application so I can’t really say how good or bad it is but you can give it a whirl yourself which comes in the form of a full feature trial for 14 days. What’s even better, it only cost you $9.95 if you want to get one. (via 4WinMobile)

Are You A Stock Investor? Read On?

Well if you said yes or are planning to be one in the very near future, this software would interest you. Pocket Investor by Acquasys was just released and it packs some really interesting features such as “

build portfolios with different types of investments, maintain records of their prices and activities, be alerted about price changes, relevant news and events, analyze them using 17 different charts and track their performances towards your goals.” Pretty useful stuff indeed. They’ve got a 30 day free trial version  going on and licenses will set you back $29.80 but it might just prove to be a great investment considering you no longer have to spend as much time doing what it does.

Tweak Your Diamond

My Diamond? I don’t have one you say? Well in case you do decide to get one in the near future, you’ll want to say this. You might not really understand what I am talking about but neither do I since I don’t have one to show you.

Anyway, the first trick allows you to change the order of the tabs. Nope it’s not a registry hack or some hidden settings. You’ll have to download the TF3D Configuration program from XDA Developers and install it on your device. From there, you’ll get a screen similar to the one used in the screen shot (in fact you should). Alter away and you will now get the tabs ordered in the way you want. More info here.

The second hack allows you to use the touch-sensitive zoom area around the action button in more programs than just Opera, Photo viewer, Messaging and Google Maps. It’s more complicated because you’ll need to know the Class name of each application you want to use it in and you need to do it for each application you want to use that feature in. Ready? Then you’ll want to head on here and get the keys for yourself. Good luck and don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Microsoft Joins The Hosted Exchange Plan Party

It seems that everybody wants to get in on the Exchange pie nowadays. Well that line seems to have come a full circle with Microsoft now offering hosted Exchange plans for users who want in. Starting at just $3 per user, they’ll get an Exchange mailbox with webmail access, sharepoint server access and the basic communication tools such as messenger. For $180 per user per year (which works out to $15 per month), they’ll get full hosted Exchange and Sharepoint, along with collaboration tools. Not a bad deal when you think about it. At this point, I’m not sure if this is just for business users or anyone can join in. Let’s hope it’s the latter since as this will be a really useful service for many. (via TechCrunch)

Wi-Not?

There are tons of uses of wi-fi like watching a movie or listening to music but most of these services were not really configured for the mobile platform. That’s about to change if Wi-Not Mobile takes off. The idea behind it is simple but the impact tremendous. Just how big can this be? Well it’s features include:

• Hundreds of popular TV channels from all over the world
• Hundreds of Radio stations from more than 30 countries
• Simple instant messaging with live translation
• Dedicated meta-search engine for unlimited mobile games
• Mini embedded web browser
• Mobile server for file sharing and social networking
• Crawler for sound searching
• Unique mobile shopping experience
• And fun never stops with Wi+ area

Pretty impressive isn’t it? It’s currently in beta so it’s free to use. I am not sure if that free status will remain once it exits beta but while it’s still there, why not give it a go?

Get Protopage Mobile On Your Device

If you have used Netvibes (which is an awesome online site), you’ll want to look into Protopage. It’s very similar to Netvibes which is a cross between a start page, an online notebook, a news reader and a bookmarks page that you can share or keep private. And best of all, it’s highly customizable. But that’s not why I am writing about it. The reason I am is because they’ve just launched Protopage Mobile which is an optimized version of the main site for your mobile device. With so much information for you to keep track when you go online (news, emails, status and so on), having something like Protopage Mobile can come in really handy. There’s no application to download. Just go to protopage.com/mobile from your device and you’re all set.

All The News We Saw Fit To Print

• Bored With Windows Interface? Here’s Winterface
• Ilium Releases eWallet 6.1
• PPC Techs: Hey, My Today Screen Readers, How About Some Accessories
• Fancy Meeting Spb?
• We’re Now Open For Business

Products We Have Considered

• Freeware Square (July 2008)
• Winterface Review
• It’s Finally Here, The i-mate Ultimate 8502

How About A Tweak (Or Two)?

• Did You Know That… Beam Also Deals With Bluetooth

Did You Win Something? Why Not Try Again?

• Want Winterface On Your Device?

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