Weekly Windows Mobile Roundup On May 17 2008

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Aliph Releases New Jawbone

There were rumors floating around as to when Aliph will release it’s new version of Jawbone. If you had your money on May 15th 2008, then go and claim your winnings. Surprisingly, Aliph has decided to call it the new Jawbone instead of Jawbone 2 or something to distinguish it from its predecessor. The biggest improvement to the new model is that it’s 50% smaller than the original version. Noise Shield, which was found in the earlier version, is now called Noise Assassin and continues to bring with it great noise cancellation technology.

For those interested in more information about the new Jawbone:

• 50% smaller than the original Jawbone
• Military-grade noise elimination technology
• Ten times better voice clarity than competing headsets – meaning it transmits 90% less noise
• Faster processing eliminates unexpected noise bursts
• Unmatched intelligibility — voices sound human, not robotic
• Sophisticated dual microphone array reduces wind noise
• Invisible touch controls
• Three-dimensional texture on shield inspired by noise abatement surfaces
• Premium materials including medical-grade plastic and fine leather
• Magnetic USB cable & wall charger included
• Three (3) earbuds — small, medium, and large
• Two (2) fine leather earloops — medium and large
• Two (2) slim earloops ideal for use with eyewear — medium and large
• Fits either ear

Retailing at $129.99, it’s now available nationwide at Jawbone and AT&T Stores. Have you got the new Jawbone? How has your experience been so far? (via Jawbone Press Release)

Opera Mini 4.1 Leaves Beta

That was pretty quick for a beta if you ask me but Opera 4.1 has finally left those stages behind. It was pretty stable for me even in beta and I am not sure if there were any changes between the beta and the stable release but if you have been facing problems with the beta, the stable release might just be what you are looking for.

What is interesting is that when I accessed the Opera Mini website using my Glofiish X500’s Pocket Internet Explorer, the version without certificate is what you will be presented with. If you, like me, prefer the version with a certificate, you’ll want to look deeper for the certificate versions (you’ll have to select other versions). With these versions, you would just need to set the settings for access once and forget about it. (via Opera Mini Press Release)

VITO Releases New Skin For ZoomBoard

When VITO updated their SMS Chat application (aptly named SMS-Chat), there was a keyboard that looked pretty cool in one of the screen shots. One of our readers (Marisa) was wondering what it was and while others claimed it was the VITO ZoomBoard, others were skeptical as there was no such mention of a black skin on their website.

Well it seems that the black skin was part of the newly released version of ZoomBoard which is now at v2.02. Other than the new skin, this new version does not seem to have any other fixes or changes. What’s interesting is that VITO now has downloaded CAB files for their iWindowsMobile suite of applications. In the past, it used to just be EXE files. Great move VITO For users of ZoomBoard, head over here to get your new version.(via VITO Press Release)

Fizz Releases Alarms To V1.0

Fizz, the creators of great software such as Weather and Traveller, has now come up with the a new finger friendly software called Alarms. We all know how unreliable the alarms on Windows Mobile are and over time, there have been many software to fill this gap. Fizz plans to do just that and more. Besides just alarms which support WAV, WMA and MP3 as well as snooze, you’ll also be getting multiple counters (countdown) and stopwatch. The screen shots look pretty awesome so if you’re a user who’s always keeping track of time, be sure to add Fizz Alarms to your list. (via Fizz Press Release)

Microsoft Wants 40% Of Smartphone Market Share

I am not sure how that is possible by 2012 which is the target they have set for themselves considering they’re now hovering at 13%. Also, how does Microsoft define what is a smartphone and what’s not. Would they consider the iPhone a smartphone?

Many people doubt that Microsoft would be able to meet their targets but it was not too long ago when they gunned for Palm and achieved what they set out to do. If that’s the case, I wonder just how Microsoft plans to do that considering how they’re currently licensing their products to their competitors. Nonetheless it looks like Microsoft has something up their sleeves. (Symbian Freak)

AT&T Adds Unlimited Mobile Data To GoPhone Plans

Visiting the US anytime soon and don’t want to spend a bomb on mobile data? Then you might want to consider getting an AT&T GoPhone plan. According to Arne Hess from the::unwired, he was informed of this new addition by friend. Costing $19.95 for unlimited use of it’s MEdiaNet service for 30 days, it’s a lot cheaper than what you would be paying if you were to try out other services, or even worse, roaming.

For those looking for the settings, here they are:

APN: wap.cingular
User: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM (case sensetive)
Password: CINGULAR1 (case sensetive)

This is pretty good news for visitors as well as users who are moving house and need some internet connection while waiting for the ones at their new place to set up. Thanks AT&T. (via the::unwired)

Palm Treo 800w Makes An Early Appearance

Yes, that’s right.  What you see pictured above is the Palm Treo 800w…the most highly anticipated phone of 2007.  Of course, the phone itself is not scheduled to be released until July (at the earliest) 2008.  That means it will be directly competing with the Xperia X1, HTC Touch Diamond, iPhone 2.0, and several other cutting edge phones.  Once again, it looks like Palm missed a rapidly closing window of opportunity.  [via Engadget]

MobiForms Mobile Development Tool Now Supports Wireless PDA Access To MySQL Databases

If you have no idea what that headline says…well, join the crowed.  This is one for the developers around here…and I am certainly not one of those (not that there is anything wrong with that).  Here is what the press release had to say:

The latest version of the mobile development tool MobiForms 4.05 now includes support for wireless PDA access to MySQL databases. With MobiForms is it now possible to remotely connect to most industry standard databases including Oracle, Sybase, IBM DB2, SQLite, HSQLDB and MySQL. Alternatively for off-line local storage MobiForms runs with a range of PDA databases. The latest version of MobiForms also includes a free copy of the open-source HSQLDB database for server, standalone or mobile database applications, complementing the MobiForms Developer tool and the Mobiforms runtime interpreter. MobiForms offers all the tools in one “box” for the creation and deployment of any type of mobile application - from surveys to field service, from signature capture to bar coding.

Other new features include timers, SMTP email and commands that dynamically change object attributes at runtime like font colours and sizes. The Deployment Wizard has been extended to include more device and operating environment combinations, and a tab for database deployment.

Astraware Announces New Windows Mobile Game And Announces Support for Blackberry

Astraware, one of my favorite game developers for Windows Mobile announced a new game earlier this week, GTS Worls Racing, the follow up to their extremely popular car racing game: GTS Racing Challenge.  GTS World Racing features 64 track layouts across 16 worldwide locations; 4 difficulty levels from Easy to Extreme; 3 high octane cars to choose from; and 4 play modes - Single Race, Challenge Cup, Grand Tour, and Championship.  It is scheduled for release on May 21, so watch for a review coming soon.

Also, this week, Astraware announced that they, along with their new parent company, Handmark, will begin publishing software for Blackberry users.  In addition to the entire Astrware catalog, they will also be releasing Bible Translations and Ringtone Junkie later this month.

Bible Translations for BlackBerry Smartphones - AVAILABLE 5/28
This is the first Bible product designed by Handmark specifically for
BlackBerry smartphones. The application offers unlimited wireless access to
16 Bible translations including four of the five most popular modern
translations. The Bible product for BlackBerry smartphones will be available
May 28 at www.handmark.com.

Ringtone Junkie - AVAILABLE 5/28
Ringtone Junkie is a new and improved ringtone management application,
developed by Handmark, providing access to thousands of popular MP3
ringtones. The application enables customers to download, store, access, and
assign custom ringtones to contacts in their BlackBerry Address Book.
Ringtone Junkie will be available May 28 at www.rtjunkie.com or
www.handmark.com for a one-time purchase of $19.95.

We Highly Recommend This Podcast

I don’t often tell our readers to head right out and listen to a podcast, but this one is a must listen.  In it, SplashData CEO Morgan Slain discusses the future of Windows Mobile development, the impact of the Android platform, and much more.  Morgan offers a unique perspective because SplashData has developed software for almost every platform out there, including Palm, Windows Mobile, Windows Mobile Smartphones, and even Blackberry.   You can listen in, here.

Microsoft Offers New Features To Live Search for Windows Mobile Users

Most of you are probably familiar with Live Search for Windows Mobile, Microsoft’s portable (and free) mapping software.  This is one of those programs that has long since found a permanent home on my Sprint Mogul, especially with the recent addition of the built-in GPS.  It is a fantastic program, and it looks like Microsoft has now released an upgrade which makes it even better.  Among the new features are:

• Map a contact
• View Virtual Earth collections
• Web search
• Weather

Check out the new version at wls.live.com from your Windows Mobile based phone.

Teksoft Releases Skybox

Are you looking for a program launcher and complete user interface upgrade for your phone?  There are several out there and Teksoft just made your decision a little bit more difficult with their latest release, Skybox.   Skybox features a number of advanced features and options, including:

• Fast and easy access to your device’s vital functions
• Finger friendly and easy to use controls
• Confugurable to meet your needs
• Custom titlebars, info screen, menus, and settings
• Powerful graphics

And that is just the yip of the iceberg.  Check out Skybox at www.teksoftco.com and download the free 16 day trial to check it out for yourself.

All The News We Saw Fit To Print

• Why The HTC Touch Diamond Is What It Is (05/11/08)
• Free Remote Control App: MyMobiler (05/13/08)
• Pocket PC Techs: They Don’t Make Your Devices, They Make Your Devices Better (05/15/08)

Products We Have Considered

• Review: PPC Techs Lil Sync USB Mobile Power Pack (05/12/08)
• Review: Franson GPSGate (05/13/08)
• Review: SplashData SplashMoney (05/15/08)
• Shootout: Weather Applications (05/16/08)

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