Skype’s latest mobile beta for Windows Mobile phones graduated to version 3.0 on Tuesday. Skype 3.0 beta for Windows Mobile integrates two big features from the desktop version–file transferring and SMS. Both are welcome additions that bring the mobile VoIP application much closer in line with the newly updated desktop version, Skype 4.0 for Windows.
The SMS feature has been seamlessly added as a shortcut icon on the contact list page (it’s the black circle encasing a tiny cell phone), but you can also initiate a text message by selecting “Send SMS” from the Menu options–the cost will come out of your Skype Credit. The file transfer feature is a bit more buried. To use it, select “Contact Options” from the Menu choices, and then “Send File.” This will incur a data charge, so it’s best to have a data plan in place before going wild with transfers.
As soon as you ship your image, song, or document out to your buddy, a new tab opens in Skype for Windows Mobile 3.0 beta that keeps track of the transfer and lets you know when your contact has accepted the download. File transfers work both ways, of course, so you’ll be able to accept files sent through Skype while you’re on the go–crazy photos and important business documents included. File transfer worked without a hitch over our 3G network, as did SMS. Wi-Fi will make them even faster.
After SMS and file transferring, the next biggest change is a technical one that most people shouldn’t notice–the fact that you won’t have to decide between downloading the version for Windows Smartphones or for Pocket PCs. A single one-size-fits-all download makes installation blissfully brainless. In addition, the beta has undergone a few understated, but useful changes to its layout, like being able to update your status, add hyperlinks to chat messages you may have missed, and the option to buy more Skype Credit.
Skype 3.0 beta for Windows Mobile 5.x and 6.x phones is available to try for free. Download it to your PC here or get the CAB file over the air. We’re expecting to see the full release available in the next few months, but some of Skype’s timeline may depend on the kind of user feedback they get. For our two cents, the additional features have been integrated well, and we hope to see more mobile-specific features in the future, like the capability to snap a picture from within Skype and transfer or SMS it to a pal.
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The first one, model EQ5, is the Ultra-Portable Wireless Speaker, which allows users to play music and take calls with “amazing sound quality.” The device features SRS WOW HD audio enhancement technology for high definition, stereo surround sound, as well as noise and echo reduction technology (for speakerphone calls) and radio frequency shielding. The EQ5’s rechargeable, non-replaceable battery provides enough power to make the speakers work for up to 8 hours on a single charge. There’s also a convenient kick-stand, 3.5 mm audio cable for connecting with non-Bluetooth devices, and a MicroUSB port for simultaneous playing and charging. As for the size, it measures 116×65×15 mm, and has a weight of 100 grams.
The other speaker, EQ7, is more of a Wireless Hi-Fi Stereo Speaker System, featuring four powerful JBL speakers as well as the noise and echo reduction technology that enhances the sound quality during calls. With extended wireless range, EQ7 offers true portable freedom, and includes an AC power adapter for unlimited play or uses four AA batteries for up to six hours of usage time. The device measures 169×154×42 mm and has a weight of 440 grams.
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Enterprise devices running Windows Mobile are quite common in the retail, healthcare, field service, and government spaces. A funny thing you find at the Apple retail stores is sales associates coming to you to make purchases wirelessly with their Windows Mobile devices so I guess there are some things the iPhone can’t do, huh? Today, Motorola announced their latest enterprise digital assistant (EDA), the MC55, that is the smallest and lightest such device with a 3.5 inch color touch screen display. The units I see at Apple, not sure if they are Motorola, have monochrome displays so these color ones are a nice improvement.
There are two new models of MC55 class EDA, the MC5590 with WiFi and Bluetooth that is primarily for workers in an indoor environment with WiFi connection and the MC5574 that adds WWAN so that workers with cellular data connections in the field can stay in touch.
Specifications of the MC55 units include:
Intel PXA270 520MHz processor
128MB RAM and 256MB flash ROM
3.5 inch 320×240 touchscreen display
Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system (Classic or Professional)
VoIP-enabled
Ability to survive a 4 foot drop to concrete
Multi-mode data capture with bar code scanner and 2 megapixel auto focus color camera
microSD card slot
Full QWERTY keyboard, with options for other variants
11.1 ounces with 2400 mAh battery
The MC5590 EDA is available worldwide through Motorola PartnerSelect members and Motorola sales. The MC5574 is available today in EMEA, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region, and is expected to be available in North America and globally in the second quarter of 2009.
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Today sees the formal unveiling on S60 5th Edition. The new version of S60, built on Symbian OS 9.4, adds touch enablers to the platform, which means it is possible for licensees to create devices that use finger touch and/or stylus interaction. Other additions and improvements include the new sensor framework (adds easy integration of sensors, such as accelerometers into the platform) updated web technologies (WebKit version updated, Flash Lite 3 as standard) and enhanced multimedia functionality (support for widescreen displays, image and video editors as standard). Read on for more details. “Today sees the introduction of S60 5th Edition, the latest release of the world’s leading, open smartphone platform, S60 on Symbian OS. The S60 5th Edition has the most advanced set of features that enable new innovations and new experiences for consumers that want to fully embrace the use of smartphone products. With S60 5th Edition, the user interface is extended by the introduction of touch and with full support for tactile feedback. Enhanced display resolution support and a new Widescreen mode further compliments the touch UI and enables engaging visual experiences. Also, for the first time, the platform includes a framework for the use of advanced sensor technology. This all allows S60 device manufacturers to create innovative new device concepts for a wider range of user segments, while preserving the rich capabilities of the existing software platform.”
The first device to use S60 5th Edition is the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic which was announced today, see other news items.
Developers can download the S60 5th Edition SDK and tools from Forum Nokia from today.
Key highlights of S60 5th Edition
Based on Symbian OS 9.4, which brings a host of OS level improvements, which should increase performance and battery life. The OS is also the enabler for many of the technologies described below.
Adds touch enablers and tactile feedback to S60. The UI is designed to be used with finger touch or a stylus. The UI and base applications have been optimised for touch usage. Tactile feedback gives a physical signal to the user (buzz/vibrate) when an on screen interaction takes place.
Standard S60 applications have been extended and optimised to take advantage of touch interactions.
In order to help enable touchscreen devices there is enhanced support for higher resolution displays and a new ‘widescreen’ mode.
Adds a framework to enable the use of sensors in the UI and by third parties. Such sensors might include accelerometers, which enable functionality such as ‘flip to silence’ or ’shake to unlock’. Third party access is enable by APIs which are available in the software development kit.
Enhanced support for Internet technologies, including an updated Web browser (more recent version of WebKit) and Flash Lite 3. The browser has been optimised for touch usage, including the ability to scroll around the screen using a finger and finger touch-friendly toolbars and controls.
Adds S60 Platform Services to the S60 Web Runtime (also known as WRT 2). This enables the creation of personalised and context-aware widgets. This gives widget developers access to many features of the S60 platform, including GPS, contacts, calendar, messaging, audio and video. These are accessed via custom javascript and actionscript API calls.
Adds new image and video editors (i.e. now standard part of platform), making it simpler to edit media on the device. The image editor functions include red-eye reduction, cropping, image adjustments and the ability to add text and images. The video editor lets you cut, merge and add sound to videos stored on the device.
Adds Open C++ (following on from Open C) to the platform. This brings the Standard Template Library (STL) and other popular platform-independent C++ libraries to S60.
“Over the years, SHAPE Services have observed an astounding evolution in Nokia mobile platforms and development environments which have been further revolutionized by the latest Symbian S60 5th Edition SDK,” said Igor Berezovsky, CEO, SHAPE Services GmbH. “It is great to see that Nokia was able to keep the original spirit of the S60 platform while continuing to provide compatibility for previous editions of S60. This allowed for quick and easy porting of Shape Services’ IM+ All-In-One Instant messenger to the new Nokia 5800XpressMusic.”
You can read the full press release here.
We’ll be bringing you more news on S60 5th Edition in due course.
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Sony Ericsson has come up the new Sony EricssonW595 Cosmopolitan White Flower Edition for our small spring surprise. It’s identical to the Cosmopolitan White W595, save for the flowery accents. Well, you’ll be getting a floral charm, custom UI skin and 5 pre-loaded music tracks to go with your new phone.
Sony Ericsson W595 is Walkman-branded phone with slider design. Codename - Linda. It has Walkman player 3.0, FM-Radio, stereo loudspeakers + Google Maps. Sony Ericsson W595 specifications: display 240×320 pixels, camera 3.2-Mp with fixed focus.
Spring is certainly in the air for Sony (SNE) Ericsson as they have launched a new W595 Cosmopolitan Flower Edition cell phone. The phone is white in color and has a red flower on the front and back of the cover. I must say it certainly looks very bright and will make you feel happy every time you answer a call.
To keep with the floral theme is a special flash-menu pre-installed. The phone also comes with five full songs. Along with the handset, the Sony Ericsson W595 Cosmopolitan Flower Edition comes with a small charm and a soft patch.
The limited edition phone will be made available in a number of countries in Western Europe from March 2009. It is such a pity that the Sony Ericsson W595 Cosmopolitan Flower Edition is released after Valentine’s Day; it would make a perfect gift for the one you love.
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Remember that Motorola i465 iDEN phone, which showed off its full QWERTY keyboard in a blurry picture about a month ago?
Well, it turns out that Moto has revamped it and probably wants to officially release it any time soon.
The i465 didn’t look too attractive last time we saw it, but now we have a press photo of it – and I must say the handset is really interesting, having a fairly nice design for an iDEN device.
Feature-wise, the phone is said to have Bluetooth 2.0, a photo camera (VGA, apparently) and Web browser (with a dedicated key). Plus, of course, Push to Talk capabilities.
It looks like someone close to Motorola went ahead and leaked the press photo of that Motorola i467 iDEN phone. There’s no official release date yet but judging from the clarity of this picture, we should expect a release date soon. The phone will feature a full QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, a VGA camera, Push to Talk capabilities and a web browser with a dedicated key. We have no prices for now but we’re going to look for this iDEN phone in Sprint Nextel phones.
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If I owned a business, Employee Tracker would be the first application that I would install to my BlackBerry. The name defines in a straight forward matter exactly what the program does, it tracks important employee information directly from your mobile, lets have a look at this program in detail.
Unfortunately there is no OTA download for the trial edition, in fact there is no trial available. The installation of the program occurs only after you complete the purchase. The software costs USD 12.99 and is available from ExplorePDA. As always, do not forget to check if your handheld and your handhels operating system are supported.
When you install the program to your BlackBerry, you begin by entering pertinent information about your employees. This is not a basic name/surname/contact/personal details entry. You can enter such details as education, skill, assigned projects, works in progress and salary. The salary section is also not the usual payment that goes out of the company’s earnings, but rather in detail covers your emploees income, net pay and deductions. You can also enter as many employees as you like as long as the memory on your handset permits.
Stepping in a little further, the works and projects in progress can also be entered in detail to the program. You can enter the work (I will use the word “work” which covers also the projects and assignments) in detail for an employee such as the client, what the employee is working on, the duration, the environmental variables of the work and detailed description. With this entry, you can also enter the team size for projects and overall job assignments. At this point, I would prefer assigning employees under a project rather than entering the number of people in the team, however, when you select the project you can see the members assigned under the name. You can also get results in a report format covering the past or current projects. A very nice feature in my opinion.
The second step revolves around the employee’s salary. In addition to the cash out of the company, you can view a breakdown of the employees pay including additional income, house rent allowance, any other allowances, taxes, funds, loans, any deductions and base pay. With these items, you can see a quick glance of what you expect to approximately pay for the oncoming months in terms of employee compensation.
The “search” option also needs emphasis. You can type in an employee’s name or any other information and receive quick and accurate results. This feature comes very handy when you begin to lose track of your employees or you need to pull up information quickly without a ton of browsing involved.
Finally, I have a recommendation for the developers. Although the entries are made simple and the program is easy to use, there is no backup option. OK, you can get a complete backup of your system via BlackBerry’s Desktop Manager, but that’s not the point. I am sure the users will look for an application in which they can receive a back up of their personnel data. In addition, I also would like to have a desktop program that I can enter data from the comfort of my computer and work in sync with my BlackBerry. If the developers can go for these two, the program will be unmatched.
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The tipster sent us a press/promotion pic and what he claims is a full list of T-Mobile Memoir specs & features. The spec list looks legit, but it is totally unconfirmed and contains some contradictory data so take it with a grain of salt.
T-Mobile Samsung Memoir spec list looks pretty complete and legit. The problem is that while tech specs say that the phone supports 3G/UMTS Bands IV and I, the data feature list describes only GPRS/EDGE data capabilities. Such a potentially prominent feature as HSDPA data connectivity is not mentioned at all. As there is no mention of GPS too.
The lack of HSDPA – well, that’s either the omission in this spec sheet, or Samsung Memoir on T-Mobile will come with high speed data function turned off. Given the newness of T-Mobile’s 3G network and that none of the leaked info emphasizes high speed data features on such a high end phone, that’s not implausible too.
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Skype’s software for making free and cheap phone calls over the Internet will be built in to some Nokia Corp. smart phones. In a move announced this week at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, the companies said Skype will be initially integrated with Nokia’s Nseries devices, which run on Nokia’s Symbian S60 operating system. The integration will start with the N97, which will be released in June. A U.S. carrier for the phone has not been announced. The built-in Skype application will be integrated with the phone’s address book, so users can see when their Skype contacts are available and make free voice calls or send instant messages to them.
As with other Skype applications, users will also be able to pay to make voice calls through Skype to cell phone or landline numbers. The application will be able to run over both high-speed 3G cellular data networks and over Wi-Fi wireless connections to the Internet. Skype, which comes from eBay Inc., is already available as a downloadable application for a variety of operating systems and phones, including numerous Nokia products.
Internet telephony VoIP company Skype has just announced a new partnership with Nokia to bring Skype preinstalled on the Nokia N97. Skype will also be available on the other N series Nokia handsets. “With more than 400 million Skype users worldwide, the integration of Skype on Nokia Nseries mobile computers is a significant step in bringing converged Internet experiences from the desktop to the world’s most advanced mobile computer,” said Jose-Luis Martinez, Vice President, Nokia Nseries.
Acer recently entered the mobile market by introducing its Acer Tempo smartphones like Acer M900. Other models launched by Acer were: Acer X960, Acer F900, Acer DX900 (which we hope to review here as soon as possible). But let us focus on Acer M900 review, features and technical specifications for the time being.
According to Acer’s press release, Acer M900 was built for “those who need to have access to email and files at all times, the M900 is an ideal smart handheld device. It allows you to keep track of your activities and access your contacts and files through synchronization with your notebook or desktop computer. With a full keyboard, it is ideal for emailing and editing documents. Preinstalled with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (updated version is Windows Mobile 6.5), Outlook Mobile email and Office Mobile (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) users will maintain efficiency on the go. HSDPA connectivity enables fast data transfer and the large 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen dramatically improves your web browsing experience. An embedded fingerprint sensor secures the smartphone and simplifies password maintenance.”
In addition, the Acer M900 comes equipped with GPS, FM Radio, voice recorder and voice-command, as well as expandable memory, and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with flash. High tech and reliable, the Acer M900 provides security and convenience for the effective management of your business communications on the go.
This is a phone to beat, we tell you. With its sleek design (sliding QWERTY keypad, which we love), we will not be surprised if Acer M900 will become one of the best-selling smartphones of 2009.
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