Saturday, November 07, 2009

User Turns Touch Pro2 into Frankenstein, Hacks with 32 GB Memory Card

Windows Mobile users, specifically the guys on PPCGeeks, sure do love tinkering with their devices. In the last couple months, we’ve seen Touch Pro2 mods for gaining access to the soft reset button through the battery cover and also custom dye jobs. So, it’s not surprising to see yet another modification. A Sprint Touch Pro2 user, 510jungleboy, couldn’t sit around and wait for 32GB Micro SDHC memory cards to finally hit the market, so he decided to hack his device to register full sized SD cards. The hack involves using an SD to Micro-SD flexible adapter and some precision hardware dissection. This isn’t his first stint with such an endeavor either. He actually performed the same modification on his HTC Touch and Touch Pro over the past year. Of course, this time he had to figure out a way to make it work, as best as possible, with the Touch Pro2’s side mounted card slot. While 510jungleboy has become a seasoned pro at hacking his phones for 32GB memory glory, he seems to be the only user willing to do it. For that, we applaud him. The hacked Touch Pro2, pictured below, clearly won’t win any beauty pageants, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right?

Unlock The Sprint Touch Pro2 Radio To Get US GSM.

For those that had purchased the Sprint Touch Pro2 it was quite the surprise to find out that the GSM, although SIM unlocked, would not work with US service providers. In this video we demonstrate how to unlock the radios and then reflash the device with the correct US radios to be able to make calls under AT&T, T-Mobile, or any other GSM provider that utilize the GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS900, UMTS2100 bands (US 3G will not work). The program that will unlock the SIM, CID, and radios is brought to us by HTC-Unlockers. Although the whole process takes a few steps and costs a little money it is well worth it. When the device is all unloked and the new radio is installed the data settings may need to be changed or added to use cellular data service. The program is donation-ware and costs at a minimum of about $15 USD. The correct US radios were spotted on XDA-Developers.

Android Dell Mini 3ix Coming to AT&T

Once the proud Windows Mobile licensee who created the Axim line of PDAs, Dell has its sights set on Android with the Dell Mini 3ix. The device's information is spotted going through the FCC for US regulatory approval, complete with WiFi and US 3G bands that are compatible with AT&T's wireless network. Also included are a 3.5-inch 360 X 640 display, 3-megapixel camera, GPS, and Exchange support. (via: UnwiredView)

Open-Source Windows Mobile: Is Microsoft's Current Licensing Model Dated?

Windows Mobile has long been an "open" and extensible platform built upon the Windows CE core, but openness doesn't translate to open-source, and that might mean adoption problems for the software maker in the future. We've seen some Windows Mobile licensees--both large and small--either defect from the platform or transform to incorporate other open-source OSes like Symbian (which has gone open-source) and Google Android into their product lineup. As manufacturers attempt to keep costs low and introduce powerful features at lower price points--a move ignited by the iPhone's cheaper, on-contract pricing--the licensing costs of Windows Mobile may not be viewed favorably by OEMs and may price the smart operating system out of the reach of consumers, a market that Microsoft is keen in courting. Mobile Advertising as a Revenue Model Unlike its competitor Google, Microsoft's platform is geared not to be based off of cloud computing, but rather reside mostly on the handheld. To go open-source and be able to monetize the platform, Windows Mobile would need greater integration with Bing and Live Services. In doing so, Microsoft's shift to cloud-based smartphone computing would enable the software giant to anonymously collect user's data and derive revenue. The mobile advertising market is still nascent, and Microsoft's move into this sphere could help the company take charge of a domain that is dominated by Google. While Google has the desktop search and advertising model down, Microsoft's svelte and quick maneuver into the smartphone space would give the software giant a lead into the mobile ad world. Putting It Into Conext The Redmond-based company can use anonymous user data to help place mobile advertising and work with developers and advertisers to place meaningful ads on Windows phones, whether it be on the OS experience or in a browser or application. While it is true that advertising in general is annoying to end-users, whether it be on a phone or on a PC, the rationale here is to make advertising relevant. Google's tactics on the desktop space with AdWords is to make advertising non-obtrusive, basically allowing advertising to disappear--a move that's good for end-users but not great for advertisers. However, Windows phones have long been powerful, connected devices. Coupled with GPS and location-based technology, WiFi and WiFi location trackers, and user data collected from online tools such as Bing. The potential for Windows Mobile here is to make advertising not disappear, but meaningful. Meaningful ads will be beneficial to advertisers and consumers. If a user is shopping at a clothing retailer at 10 AM, Microsoft's smarter Windows Mobile would know that maybe a McDonald's Big Mac ad may not be the right one to display. If the ads are of value to end-users, perhaps advertising will be less annoying, and in fact, may be welcomed. If you're at your neighborhood market and Windows phone delivers a relevant coupon for juice that the clerk can scan at checkout, your grocery savings may be the saving grace that Windows Mobile may deliver to advertisers. It Doesn't Have to Be In Your Face Advertising doesn't have to be in your face. Huge banner ads, pop-ups, and obtrusive ads that appear when you hover need not be the norm on the mobile realm. Rather, by linking Windows phones with a Live ID, Microsoft could aggregate user data and create research and monetize information this way. A linked Live ID can mean that ads can be displayed instead when you log into your desktop computer. If you went shopping with your Windows phone and searched for hot dogs and soda, perhaps an ad and a coupon can be displayed the next time you log into your Live account on the desktop. This way, ads won't bombard Windows phone users on the small screen. Marketshare for Manufacturers The move towards open-source will create a larger Windows phone ecosystem. With an advanced mobile platform that is easy to use and attractive--at least from what we can see in the leaked Windows Mobile 7 renderings and shots--it will be hard for manufacturers to not put Windows Mobile on their phones, especially given the price: free. More OEMs and an open-source framework will create help to attract much needed developers to the platform. This will build an ecosystem around Windows phones and help to create value for partners and end-users--think accessories that help to personalize your Windows phones, applications that will deliver simplicity and ease of use, and programs to help you be more productive and kill down time with games that matter to you, the consumer. Beyond the Phone There's also a whole other world out there in the connected space besides smartphones, from connected wireless digital frames to car computers to smart refrigerators and other Minority Report-like technologies that have yet to surface. The embedded computing market was once dominated by Windows CE and is now shifting towards Android, with devices like cable boxes and the Barnes & Nable nook e-book reader running Google's OS. The move back to Windows CE and Windows Mobile can help to build momentum behind Marketplace for Mobile, which also helps Microsoft derive a revenue (not profit) stream of 30% per app sold. The Microsoft Advantage Unlike other unproven operating systems in the enterprise space, Microsoft can leverage the strengths of a secure Windows Mobile experience with enterprise users. Additionally, Microsoft already has the technologies needed to move towards a more advanced, cloud-computing platform. With its acquisition of the Danger Sidekick platform that is based off of servers in the cloud, TellMe's Internet search by voice, and the potential move of components of Office 2010 into the cloud, the missing piece here is Windows Mobile in the cloud. The platform already has a great start with Windows Mobile 6.5 with the introduction of Marketplace for Mobile and MyPhone, but more is needed to make the experience seamless, effortless, secure, and productive. Conclusion Much like how Windows Mobile helps to currently sell Exchange Servers to enterprise customers, the future "free" Windows Mobile OS can help drive users to other Microsoft products, such as Live Mail, Bing, search, and more. Apple has used the iPhone halo effect to make greater gains in the corporate sector as well as to push sales of its desktop and portable computing products. Google's attempting to leverage consumer data on the Android phones for other purposes while at the same time delivering value to everyone in the ecosystem--free turn-by-turn voice guided GPS, a robust smartphone platform that fits the needs of the average consumer, technology and design that blends, and a simplified connected experience through applications. Microsoft has the potential to be there. The focus should start not at the "Start" menu, but on search--aggregating user information and behavior in an anonymous fashion through its online services, delivering value to users, and creating enough buzz to regain hardware manufacturers. And Redmond can do all that, offer a free OS, and still be profitable through context-based advertising.

The Cheapest Way to Get an HD2

If you're looking for the cheapest way to grab an HD2, we may have found it. We should preface this by saying that the version due to be released next week is the European version. While it'll work on T-Mobile and AT&T in the US, you'll only be able to get EDGE data speeds. If you want 3G, you'll have to wait until early 2010 when the HD2 is released in the US, probably on T-Mobile. After poking around on eBay, eXpansys, Google Shopping, PriceGrabber and others, we've found the lowest price for the HD2. It can be found on Clove, where the device is selling for about £439. With shipping to the US (and no VAT), that comes out to about £457, or $760. Yes, this is still extremely expensive for a mobile device, but as the device sees a release on various carriers and as the months go by, prices will indeed go down.

Give Windows Mobile 6.5 Titanium a Hero Style Sense UI Makeover

The Zune-like Titanium interface for Windows Mobile 6.5 is insanely fluid and gives users access to a bevy of features. Just like with any interface, however, the visual appeal can become a little too familiar, leaving the user looking for other options. What better way to spice things up than with a custom theme? Not just any theme, but one that actually transforms the interface into something else. If you’re running Titanium and want some Sense action of the Hero variety, you can download/install a theme that will alter Titanium into just that. It doesn’t necessarily have the customizing abilities of the real Sense UI, but it certainly does hold its ground on the visual side of things. Continue reading to learn more about “Titanium-Hero Sense UI.” The popular Hero look can now be integrated with Titanium via a theme and some plug-ins. It’s still early in development, but it is functional. There’s a learning curve as far as setting up the interface goes, but everything’s pretty simple after that. The main home panel encompasses the Hero clock with flipping animation, current weather, calendar shortcut (shows active appointments) and the famous Sense menu bar. You can swipe left or right to get to a detailed 4-day weather widget. Messaging and programs can be reached from the right and left buttons, respectively, on the menu bar. From the program launcher, you can connect to custom Twitter and music panels. A neat thing about the music panel is that it can be used with either S2P or Nitrogen. There is also a settings panel that houses wireless connections, wallpaper, sound profile and other system related widgets. The lock screen has been skinned too. Since the project is pretty much in beta still, there are some bugs. Unfortunately, it’s only available for QVGA and VGA (pictured below) devices. I wouldn’t be surprised to see support for WVGA soon, considering this was originally a QVGA only project. If you’re using a WVGA display and are interested in Titanium-Hero, it wouldn’t hurt to give the developer a nudge on his thread. Head over to XDA-developers for the files. Quick install guide (install the following files to main memory): - Install Mortscript 4.2 - Install JMLPanex 2.1 - Install all files from Titanium-Hero pack (QVGA, VGA) - 12 files in total - Download and place Code.mscr file into JMLToday folder (in Program Files) - Soft reset Note: as a reminder, Titanium-Hero is only for devices running WM6.5/6.5.1 with QVGA or VGA displays. It’s always a good idea to backup your data before testing new tweaks or software.

Peter Chou Shows How HD2 Trumps iPhone

What a lot of people forget--and it's nice to see HTC CEO Peter Chou make a good point of this--is that the iPhone sports a relatively low screen resolution...480 pixels down and 320 across. The latest Windows Mobile device, like the HD2, has 800 pixels down and 480 across. This means that more data can fit on the screen at a time, translating to less scrolling in email (as we get to see in this video), a higher resolution view of photos, and a better web experience. (via: msmobiles)

Verizon Makes It More Expensive To End Your Smartphone Contract

If you're on a plan or wanting to be on a plan with a Touch Pro2, HTC Imagio, or Motorola Droid on Verizon Wireless, you may want to think again about switching to a different carrier. The nation's largest carrier will be raising its early termination fee (ETF) beginning November 15 for "Advance Devices," making it more costly to terminate your contract. The move can be seen as being pre-emptive to prevent users from scamming the carrier as smartphones get a large subsidy. Some users may find it profitable to open a second line, get a new device subsidized, then cancel the contract and pay the older, cheaper ETF charges and sell the device for a profit. Under the new scheme, it may not be profitable or less profitable to do that. (via: BGR)

HTC HD2 User Manual & Quick Start Guide Available

If you just can’t get enough of the HTC HD2 and want to know more about it, other than what’s usually seen in quick overview videos, the user manual and quick start guide are now available from HTC. Combined, there are over 350 pages of detailed information (with colored images), so get a hot cup of coffee and start reading. For those in the States, this probably won’t hold you over until early next year; but at least you’ll be thoroughly prepared! (via: XDA-developers)

Windows Mobile 6.5 Upgrade Hits Samsung Jack on AT&T

Samsung and AT&T have been hard at work to bring the Windows Mobile 6.5 Standard upgrade to the Samsung Jack, which operates on Microsoft's non-touchscreen operating system. The Samsung Jack for AT&T is said to now include the following new features: Windows Marketplace for Mobile: Discover apps that unlock the power of your Windows Phone, shop securely with confidence, and download instantly to your phone. -Internet Explorer Mobile: Internet Explorer Mobile 6 delivers the same high quality browsing and media viewing experience that you’ve come to expect on your desktop computer. If you can see it in Internet Explorer on your PC, you’ll be able to see it just as well on your Windows Pphone, whether the content you want is on YouTube, a game using Flash animation, or on a social site like Facebook or MySpace. -AT&T WiFi: Automatic access to over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide is available on the Samsung Jack and is included in select smartphone data plans. This allows for fast and easy downloads of your favorite music, streaming videos, games, and more. -Vlingo for Windows Phone: Instantly send a text or email message, call a friend, search the Web, open native applications and more, all by speaking into your Samsung Jack Windows Phone. I am traveling through the end of this week. We'll give you a video tour of the Jack with Windows Mobile 6.5 next week. For now, if you do own a Jack and want to hop in on the updated OS, you can check out Samsung's upgrade portal.