Windows Mobile Louisville

There’s good news for people in the United States who are eager to get their hands on the HTC Touch Pro: a version  this upcoming Windows Mobile smartphone has received FCC approval.

This device will have a great deal in common with the recently-released HTC Touch Diamond, but the Touch Pro will have more of a focus on business users.

The version that’s just been approved is for CDMA carriers, which is in-line with an earlier unconfirmed report that this device will be coming to Sprint. But there’s nothing in the FCC filing that specifies this carrier over the other CDMA-based carriers, like Verizon.

Today’s development doesn’t give any solid information on when the debut is going to happen. A wireless device can’t be released in the U.S. without FCC approval, but it can happen any time thereafter.  Sprint hasn’t said anything official about this model, but the earlier leak said this carrier will release the HTC Touch Pro in September.

A confidentiality request filed with the FCC paperwork asks that no internal details on this device be revealed to the public until October 19.  A version of this smartphone for GSM carriers is also expected to be available later this year.

An Overview of the HTC Touch Pro

• This Windows Mobile 6.1 device will have a 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen and TouchFLO 3D, HTC’s new alternate user interface that makes Windows Mobile devices easier to use with a fingertip.
• The GSM version will have support for HSPA, including HSDPA (7.2 Mbps) and HSUPA, while the CDMA one will support EV-DO. One or more of these will add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on top of that.
• The Touch Pro will also include GPS, a microSD/SDHC card slot, and a 3.2 MP camera.

SOURCE: Brighthand

Spb Software is partnering with Toshiba Information Systems (UK) Ltd – Mobile Communications Division, to deliver the ultimate mobile device experience through the recently launched Toshiba Portégé G810. The Portégé G810 features the Spb Mobile Shell-based Toshiba Touch Interface, a customized version of Spb Full Screen Keyboard, the Spb Pocket Plus smart scrolling component, and other Windows Mobile customization enhancements. The strong combination of a powerful platform and functional hardware, complemented by a set of usability tools from Spb, make Toshiba’s Portégé G810 a very fast and intuitive smartphone.

“We designed the Portégé G810 as a stylish touch screen Windows Mobile phone, ideal for both mobile-working and socializing, as it combines a powerful operating system with an incredibly user-friendly interface,” says Bertrand Issard, Head of Product Planning & Strategy, Toshiba Information Systems (UK) Ltd. “We turned to Spb Software, with their extensive Windows Mobile software and usability expertise, to support us in creating a highly intuitive user interface for our Portégé G810,” he concludes.

“Microsoft is committed to support a vibrant partner ecosystem and always delivers opportunities to create solutions that meet a wide range of Windows Mobile customers’ needs,” comments Fabio Falzea, acting as Mobile Communications Business Lead, Microsoft Central & Eastern Europe Area. “The Toshiba - Spb synergy is one good example of the rich benefits the Microsoft ecosystem secures to the market, where partners are able to complement each other’s strengths and deliver new innovative and rich experiences on Windows Mobile platform”.

The Toshiba Touch Interface has been localized into 13 languages, has been skillfully embedded into the operating system, and is incredibly stable. “Toshiba’s Portégé G810 has a very fast and responsive screen, with outstanding color quality,” - says Yaroslav Goncharov, Spb Software CTO - “the Spb Mobile Shell gestures and animation are especially striking, emphasizing the pure beauty of this finger-friendly mobile device.”

Further Information

Further information about this project can be found at the Spb and Toshiba websites:
About Spb customization for Toshiba Portégé G810
Toshiba Portégé G810 website
Spb Mobile Shell

Steve Jobs is supposed to be unveiling the new 3G iPhone today, so Samsung has chosen a very interesting time to announce their latest Windows Mobile creation - the i900 Omnia. 

At first glance, I didn’t think this device ran WM (due to the proprietary-looking interface on the screen) but looking to the top of the screen set me straight.  The i900 will run WM 6.1 and does not have a hardware keyboard.  It’s 12.5mm thick and has a platinum-looking finish.  It features a 3.2″ WQVGA touchscreen, 5MP camera, GPS, FM radio, WiFi, and can handle a 16GB storage card.

The Omnia is quad-band GSM, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA.  It will be released abroad first.  No word yet on a U.S. release date.

My first mobile device was a Philips Nino, way back in the last century (’99).  When the new fleet of Pocket PC’s came out in 2001 (from players such as HP, Compaq, Toshiba, etc), Philips was not present.

Fast-forward 7 years to 2008 and Philips is back with a very iPhone-looking device, the Xenium X-Connect.  According to Philips, it will run Windows Mobile 6 and will have a large 3-inch display.  Here are some other details:

• GPRS/UMTS/HSDPA
• Will not have WiFi
• Integrated GPS
• Bluetooth
• MicroSD memory card slot

Philips Xenium X-Connect
Photo source: gsmarena.

Hey Jawbone headset owners!  iGo has created a charging tip for the Jawbone headset! Hallelujia!

I like my Jawbone headset, but it always bothered me that the charger was proprietary in design instead of mini USB.  If you use iGO for other portable charging needs, this adaptor will do the trick when you need a charge on the road!

Tim Hillebrand over at Mobility Site has been compiling a list of things lacking in the iPhone, and the number keeps increasing (I think it started off with the title: 10 Reasons…)!

Check out Tim’s article here.  A friend of mine who was a long time Windows Mobile owner just defected over to an iPhone - I need to share this article with him as well!  :)

According to this Sprint news release that came out in early April, Sprint will be releasing the Palm Treo 800w:

“In addition, all of Sprint’s new Windows Mobile smartphones launching in the second half of 2008 will offer Windows Mobile 6.1 software, including a new Palm Treo launching later this year. Additional details will be announced upon commercial availability.”

Granted, the release doesn’t specifically mention the 800w, but it’s a safe bet that’s what they’re referring to.   No details are available on pricing, and specs are sketchy too - heck, just getting a confirmed image of the device is a challenge right now!

Verizon’s version of the HTC Touch (the XV6900) is coming out sooner than originally expected.  On April 16th, the device will be available online, and will hit brick-and-mortar stores by the end of the month.

The price seems a little steep (but aren’t a lot of things on Verizon?) - $349.99 with contract…  yowza!

The XV6900 is pearl white with chrome accents.  I guess they wanted to distinguish themselves from the Sprint version.  It has Windows Mobile 6, a 2 megapixel camera, microSD slot, 256MB of ROM, 128MB of RAM, Bluetooth, and HTC’s TouchFLO interface.

It looks like HTC is finally admitting, and addressing, the poor video drivers in devices such as the Tilt, the Touch and the Mogul.  They say that the video acceleration will be supported in the future, and will be included in software upgrades for current devices.  Could this be the reason for the delay of the updated ROM for the Mogul?!

No timeframe has been given for this supposed update.  Here is a quote from HTC: (more…)

If you’re a Sprint customer and you find yourself traveling abroad, there is now a Windows Mobile device in the offering which will work ’round the world.

The Samsung Ace is very similar to the Blackjack II offered by AT&T, and it operates on CDMA as well as GSM networks.

The Samsung Ace is available today in business sales channels and at sprint.com. It will be available at Sprint retail stores beginning in March.

It is selling for $200 with a two-year service agreement and $100 mail-in-rebate.