Experts Online

While (as of today, a month after it being demoed at MWC for the press) there still isn’t any sign of the native iPhone version of one of the best Web browsers, Opera Mini, in the AppStore, the Opera folks don’t seem to have stopped with porting their browser into other platforms. In addition to the iPhone, there’s also a brand new Windows Mobile version released just two days after my publishing my previous news report on Windows Mobile browsers.

Hi, folks.  I'm just putting the finishing touches on a major software upgrade to the Web site, from Drupal 5 to 6.  You may see some glitches and some slow performance while I fix all the problems I can find.  After this afternoon, if you still see something that's not working right, please drop me a line at ben [at] smartphonemag [dot] com and let me know. Thanks!

Ben Stallings
Web developer
Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine

Shocking news this past week about the forthcoming Windows Phone 7 Series. Not only will it not run current apps, but also current phones such as the forthcoming HTC HD2 from T-Mobile may not be upgradeable. This week, I’ll point you to more information about this, as well as additional detail about Windows Phone 7 and videos of this software in action.

It seems odd to talk about a specific Windows Phone 7 Series form factor, since Windows Mobile devices have typically had a fair amount of variety. But apparently Microsoft will exert much tighter control of chassis design this next round. This week I’ll point you to some info regarding the chassis design as well as more discussion of this forthcoming Wndows Phone software. And I’ll note info on the newly announced HTC HD Mini.

Lots of detail came out last week about Windows Phone 7, so I thought I’d pass some of that along, including links to videos. Plus, there’s a new version of Windows Marketplace for Mobile. And this week I wanted to note the latest on the T-Mobile HD2, the highly anticipated device with a 4.3-inch screen.

"Paragon Software Group is happy to announce Handy SMS for Windows Mobile, a messaging application that arranges and manages your short messages in the most efficient way.

Can't say enough about Mobile Shell from SPB. If you run vanilla flavored WinMo, it can be a pain to navigate and find apps. SPB Mobile Shell fixes that with one unified menu system and home screen that lets you manage apps, check time and weather, browse contacts and do much more. All without leaving the slick, user-interactive interface.

Windows Mobile 7 was announced on Sunday, and yesterday was highlighted at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, with some of the lucky attendees getting a hands-on experience of this new software. This week I want to point you to some of the demo videos and other information. In my column next week I’ll recap some of the other news.

Windows Mobile 6.5.3 is now starting to arrive, with the release of two new phones. This week I want to point you to information about these new devices, but will first note some good how-to information about converting videos for your Windows Phone as well as watching Amazon Unbox movies on your device.

Thank goodness for XDA developers, because if the site didn't exist, WinMo hacks, custom ROMs, and general all-round great tweaker stuff would... well, probably be posted on some other cool site. I recently snagged this developing story off pocketnow, on a new GUI in the works.

 According to MobileGazette.com: :The Sony Ericsson Aspen is a Blackberry-style Windows smartphone, and is the first handset of its type from this manufacturer."   

According to a post on Engadget, Sony Ericsson's Aspen will be the first device to boast Windows Mobile 6.5.3.  

 Some of the specifications:

Camera

Everything from handy gadgets like cell phones and iPods to user-friendly weaponry like Tasers have changed the way we work, play and police. 

 Isotope 244 has announced a new warfare strategy game for PC that will soon be released for both iPhone and Windows Mobile titled "Land Air Sea Warfare".

Microsoft has now confirmed a Windows Mobile 7 announcement at Mobile World Congress later this month. This week I want to point you to specs and news about WM 7 and the HD2, as well as the interesting development of the ability to dual boot Windows Mobile and Android. And I want to note the great AP Mobile freebie.

 This week we’ll look at a great new app store that has over 500 free apps. And there are now tons of rumors about Windows Mobile 7 floating around that, even if just partly true, can start to give you a sense for what’s coming.

 When Google's Nexus One launched a few weeks ago, BillShrink.com produced an infographic comparing the 'total cost of ownership' for a number of popular smartphones: Nexus One, iPhone, Droid and Palm Pre. 

Given the way that Android and iPhone are surging ahead, and a very vocal impatience among Windows Mobile users, it’s increasingly important that Microsoft deliver timely and innovative software for mobile devices. This week I’ll point you to a great article about what steps Microsoft is taking, as well as note some newly available updates to Windows Mobile 6.5.