In this week's column I want to highlight a review of Sprint's new Treo
Pro and an article about using Viigo to follow "March Madness." Plus, we'll
note a great new offering by Microsoft of how-to videos for Windows Mobile,
plus a few other Windows Mobile tidbits.
Review of Sprint Treo Pro
Palm's Treo Pro is now available from Sprint, and PhoneArena has a thorough review. This device has a
front-facing QWERTY keyboard, which continues to be a popular form factor
even though it sometimes seems that everything is heading in the direction
of the iPhone form factor.
The Sprint version is similar to the Treo Pro that had already been
available but of course uses Sprint’s CDMA network. The phone has
high-speed data connectivity via Sprint’s EVDO Rev. A network, as
well as Wi-Fi, GPS, and 2-megapixel camera. Phone Arena’s review has
lots of screen shots and photos, including photos comparing the Treo Pro
with other devices.
In general, the reviewer characterizes it as beautiful hardware but
can’t help but be disappointed with the “vanilla
software” in an era when touch interfaces are coming to the
fore.
March Madness
It’s time for the NCAA tournament, when frenzied fans track the
performance of the nation’s top 64 college basketball teams.
Microsoft has an article about how you can use the free app Viigo to
follow all the action. The article walks you through downloading and
installing Viigo, and getting the CBS NCAA news feed. Viigo doesn’t
offer the option of watching live video, but the author mentions a couple
ways this can be done.
I can’t help noting that CBS has created a $5 app for the iPhone
that does offer streaming video of the games over Wi-Fi and streaming audio
over 3G and Edge connections. Too bad they didn’t do the same for
Windows Mobile.
Windows Mobile News: Great How-To Videos and More
Microsoft continues to try to find a broader market for its Windows
Mobile platform by making it more accessible to the general population. And
to that end, they’ve posted some great how-to videos that introduce users to the powerful
functionality of Windows Mobile.
The videos are: Staying Connected (e-mail, instant messaging, voice
messaging), Maps & Directions, Managing Your Schedule, Working with
Documents, Mobile
Internet, Music & Photos, and Personalizing Your Phone.
Since I don’t use Microsoft Exchange, I was impressed to see how
that works.
In other Windows Mobile news, WMPoweruser is reporting that Windows Mobile 6.5 will
have a widget engine. Widgets are small, specialized apps that are easy to
create.
Also, Microsoft has given out some more details about its forthcoming
app store, Windows Marketplace for Mobile. This is store an important step.
You have to suspect that one reason there are already more apps for the
iPhone than for Windows Mobile is that Apple’s App Store makes
everything so easy. CNet is reporting that Microsoft will give developers
70% of the proceeds, like Apple, but it will charge $99/year, plus a fee
for each app submitted.
Finally, CNet has also reported the interesting tidbit that
Microsoft will be rebranding Windows Mobile as Windows Phone.
If you know of other great online resources, contact me at jim_karpen [at] pocketpcmag [dot] com.
See archives of my columns on my blog.
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