BostonPocketPC

Today at Mobile World Congress 2008, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of a technology preview for accessing MSN Direct content on Windows Mobile-based devices. Hey, this has been something the community has begging for for quite a while. I wonder how it will be implemented and if those with watches, GPS, coffee makers with MSN Direct can use the same subscription and how this will compete with free applications sharing the same information like Live Search for Mobile, but after downloading it it looks nice and it costs nothing, but your data connection. I was just thinking of canceling my watch subscription since it is due up this week and just using the free content and this is edging me towards that and saving $59, where I can always resubscribe if I can't live with out it.

It looks really cool on the phone and Microsoft does not charge anything for download or use of the MSN Direct application. (Note: downloading and using MSN Direct requires data connectivity from your wireless carrier, which may charge additional fees. Check with your wireless provider for its coverage areas and service fees.)

I just downloaded and started using the today screen plugin. It is very nice!!!! Download directions here. Granted there are small advertisements on the top of detailed content, but they are done tastefully. With a View Ad softkey, that brings up a larger version of the ad that points you to a browser for more information on the ad. The interface is just as nice as the Yahoo Go! 3 demo we saw at CES 2008.

This is the press release I received on my phone today:

With this technology preview, customers can receive instant access to information such as weather and stock updates; top news stories; and entertainment, sports and business news. The information is presented in a glanceable format, and is easily accessible directly from the home screen of a device. Content is automatically updated so that customers have immediate access to the content that matters most to them.

“This is the first time MSN Direct content has been made available to mobile phones, and it is a strong next step for the delivery of MSN Direct content where customers have said they need it the most,” said Eric Lang, general manager of the MSN Direct initiative at Microsoft. “We are excited about the opportunities this new application will bring to mobile operators, consumers and the industry.”

After installing the technology preview on the device, customers can select content based on relevancy and preference. For more in-depth information on the topics a person is exploring, MSN Direct provides links that connect users to the relevant areas of the popular MSN Mobile portal. Together, MSN Direct and MSN Mobile provide users with quick and easy options for getting current information while on the go.

“The MSN Direct for mobile technology preview is a clear demonstration of Microsoft’s commitment to bringing simple and useful information to mobile customers,” said Alexander Gounares, corporate vice president of Microsoft Ads and Commerce. “We are pleased to offer this preview and look forward to feedback.”

The MSN Direct content is supplied by a number of leading partners, including Foreca Ltd. for current weather information, Comstock Resources Inc. for stock prices, and MSNBC for the wide gamut of news offerings.

Windows Mobile customers interested in downloading the MSN Direct technology preview can use either of the following methods:

· Via mobile browser. From the Web browser on their mobile phone, users go to http://phone.msndirect.com and follow the instructions on the page to download and install MSN Direct.

· Via PC. Users download MSN Direct to their PC and copy it over to their device using whatever software they normally use (such as ActiveSync). On the device, they click on the MSN Direct file to begin installation.

The MSN Direct application is free to download; MSN Direct requires data connectivity from a wireless carrier, which may charge additional fees. Consumers should check with their wireless provider for its coverage areas and service fees.

Microsoft announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Danger Inc., the company responsible for the software and services powering many popular consumer handsets like the Sidekick and just made their public offering for stock recently in December of 2007. The acquisition will align Danger’s nearly 10 years of expertise in the mobile consumer space with Microsoft’s vision to provide innovative and compelling mobile experiences to a growing base of customers, who have a great understanding of ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) and end users.

“Microsoft is a global leader with our Windows Mobile software and expanding mobile services,” said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “The addition of Danger serves as a perfect complement to our existing software and services, and also strengthens our dedication to improving mobile experiences centered around individuals and what they like.”

The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company provides services that allow people to keep in touch, stay organized and keep informed while on the go through real-time mobile messaging, social networking services and other applications ― all blended together on a single phone that is intuitive and customizable.

“Danger continues to provide an effortless and fun mobile experience for consumers,” said Henry R. Nothhaft, chairman and CEO of Danger Inc. “Now by combining our uncompromised application software and powerful back-end service with Microsoft, we can expand our innovative service offerings even further and take mobility to a new level.”

A Grasp on Consumers

Danger has connected with a customer base that is young and enthusiastic, Internet-savvy and socially inclined. The Danger team has a deep understanding of consumers and a hold on what people want from mobility, making it an ideal group to work with in delivering connected experiences. Adding Danger to the Entertainment and Devices Division will provide Microsoft with additional assets and resources that will accelerate the company’s entry into the consumer space and complement the company’s focus on delivering innovative technologies and services that connect people’s entertainment and information.

Danger will further expand people’s mobile options by bringing a variety of established partnerships to the mix. Microsoft software can be found on more than 160 mobile phones made by more than 50 hardware partners, which are offered through more than 160 mobile operators around the world.

Defining the Mobile Experience

Through focused efforts Danger has successfully delivered a software and services platform to the mobile mass market. Applications on Danger-powered handsets include HTML Web browsing, instant messaging, games, multimedia, social networking, Web e-mail and personal information management applications.

Combining these services with Microsoft’s connected entertainment and experiences technologies, including MSN, Xbox, Zune, Windows Live and Windows Mobile, will provide Microsoft with the tools to accelerate its work to create industry-leading entertainment and communication experiences for consumers.

Microsoft Entertainment and Devices President Robbie Bach's keynote at Mobile World Congress can be viewed here.

Well it looks like Starbucks has ended their 6 year relationship with T-Mobile and started a new one with their data partner AT&T, who already provides their business end POS (Point of Sale) technology and connection for the past 10 years, they thought it a logical step. So you will now no longer have to hunt for alternative places to have your free WiFi for your office on the road,outside the house, or impromptu meeting place to get some work done and sip on some coffee and WiFi at over 7,000 different Starbucks locations (granted some are within blocks of each other in some major cities). Looks like Starbucks realized they were losing customers that didn't want to pay $10 for WiFi access and went to competitors like Panera for their business.

Under the agreement, about 12 million AT&T subscribers of DSL service in the 1.5-megabit-per-second tier or higher will receive free Wi-Fi access at Starbucks stores. Users will log on with their AT&T Yahoo DSL sign-in to receive service.

Also Starbucks customers who purchase a prepaid Starbucks card will receive two hours of free service. The card, which can be purchased for $5 or more, must be activated and have a balance to receive free Wi-Fi service.

The addition of Starbucks brings the number of AT&T hotspots to 17,000 in the United States, including McDonald's and Barnes & Noble locations. Last month, AT&T said it was offering most of its DSL subscribers free access to its then-10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots.

Current T-Mobile HotSpot customers will not be left out in the cold still will be able to log on to the network through a partnership agreement with AT&T.

AT&T also is cutting the price of hotspot service for outside users who don't want to use a pre-paid card (why I don't know why you wouldn't just purchase a prepaid card, but hey its an option for the consumer negligent). For two hours, users can pay $3.99 for access. Also monthly membership will be sold for $19.99, and will include access to AT&T's 70,000 hotspots around the world. Previously, T-Mobile was charging $6 per hour, $9.99 for a day pass, or $39.99 a month for unlimited access.

“People want to stay connected to their world 24/7, and Wi-Fi hot spots, broadband and wireless make that mobility possible,” said Rick Welday, AT&T chief marketing officer, Consumer. “Laptops and smartphones give us the online mobility we crave, and now millions of AT&T and Starbucks customers will get Internet access free from the comfort of their neighborhood Starbucks.”

“This is what our customers have been waiting for — free Starbucks-quality Wi-Fi,” said Chris Bruzzo, chief technology officer, Starbucks Coffee Company. “Through our new partnership with AT&T, we also welcome their millions of current customers who can now come in and enjoy free Wi-Fi as part of their daily Starbucks Experience.”

This change won't be immediate and will start on April 1st, 2008 while equipment is being transitioned.

Well we had heard rumors of this becoming a possibility over a year ago at CES 2007 and further details sprinkled throughout the year,but Sony Ericsson at Mobile World Congress made an announcement of the XPERIA™ X1, a stand-out, arc slider phone from Sony Ericsson designed to address the growing need for a premium, converged mobile experience with ease of integration with Windows business computers.

The XPERIA X1 combines a 3-inch clear wide VGA display and a full QWERTY keyboard within a quality metal-finish body. The OLED optical touch screen allows you to interface with the device via a custom User Interface on top of Windows Mobile 6. The custom user interface consists of 9 square icons that look like minature high resolution screen captures of the application it launches, that Sony Ericsson calls panels (much better than ZenZui IMHO). The company also said the XPERIA brand was not tied to Windows Mobile, so that future Xperia models could support other mobile phone platforms maybe Android.

The video on the website of the UI is very impressive for what we see of the phone (less paper airplanes and more of the phone please!) I like the kinetics icons of the full screen used.

The specs aren't bad:

Size

• 110 x 17 x 53 mm
• 4.3 x 0.7 x 2.1 inches

Weight

• 145 gr
• 5.1 oz

Available colors

• Solid Black

Screen

• 800 X 480
• 65,536 color TFT

Memory

• Up to 400 MB Phone Memory
• Memory Stick SanDisk Micro™ support

Networks

• GSM 850
• GSM 900
• GSM 1800
• GSM 1900
• EDGE
• HSDPA
• HSUPA
• UMTS 850
• UMTS 900
• UMTS 1700
• UMTS 1900

So in the US it looks to be on either AT&T or T-Mobile, no news on the processor, but it has a nice camera at 3.2MP, aGPS triangulation, WiFi, standard mini USB port. So far I like it! The X1 looks like won't appear until the second half of this year (I am assuming around the holidays).

Here is some of the official press release:

“XPERIA™ represents the first brand that is truly borne from within Sony Ericsson. It represents our vision for a premium, energised communication experience,” said Dee Dutta, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson. “This launch, and the announcement of the X1, further strengthens the overall Sony Ericsson brand and places us at the forefront of mobile convergence.”

“Our vision for the XPERIA™ X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment within a distinctive design,” said Rikko Sakaguchi, Head of Portfolio and Propositions, Sony Ericsson. “XPERIA™ is our promise to think foremost of user experience and to deliver the premium experience – anytime, anywhere, anything, with anyone.”

Sony Ericsson XPERIATM X1 – energised communication, the premium experience.

• Convergence of multimedia entertainment and mobile Web communication
• Unique arc slider with wide pitch easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard
• XPERIA™ panels  - arrange as you want for easy access
• Enjoy multimedia entertainment on bright wide VGA display
• Windows Mobile® capabilities

XPERIA™ panel interface – experiences just the way you want them
Enjoy access to different experiences – Web, multimedia, applications – from your desktop. Navigate with the tip of your finger. Configure and have your XPERIA™ panels just the way you want them.

Multiple navigation – the choice is yours
XPERIA™ X1 lets you interact with your
phone in different ways. Touch, full QWERTY keyboard, 4-way key and optical joystick  navigation. Switch seamlessly between operation modes.

Arc slider design – makes it stand out
The arc design gives a distinct and unique feel. Slide the screen upwards to reveal the wide pitch QWERTY keyboard. Ample distance between keys makes writing fast and easy.

Ultimate mobile experience – performance on the move
With Windows Mobile®, the highest data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA) and WiFi™ support, you can enjoy your favourite entertainment and work efficiently on the move. Mobile access to everything that is important to you. aGPS gives you the freedom to explore the world.  XPERIA™ X1 is a premium mobile experience.

More info here and the official MS Press Release here.

If you have perused the Internet lately you may have seen some posts on Engadget and MobilitySite of the ZZZphone offer, which seems like a pretty good idea to build a customized Windows Mobile phone starting at $149. This seems like a great deal, especially if you have to consider how much it costs to license the use of Windows Mobile for manufacturers . The phones look to be made by ZTE Corp, (similar phone being sold here, here and here), which just recently closed a manufacturing plant in Abuja, Nigeria that was set up in 2005 to help distribute and sell its handsets throughout Africa. ZTE makes handsets for several carriers like Telus and MetroPCS.

Well save your hard earned cash, it looks like a scam from sources that said they purchased one it runs Symbian and not Windows Mobile 6 as advertised. It was confirmed by Microsoft that the device is also using pirated Windows Mobile logos on the box and engraved in the case and it is also running a non-commercial version of Symbian. Also the radio stack won't connect on any US operator.

Note the bottom right hand screen has the phone with a Windows XP logo and not Windows Mobile.

So BUYER BEWARE!!!!

One trend you may start to see on several new handsets even on Windows Mobile devices is the addition of the Opera browser, which adds many features that are missing from Internet Explorer Mobile. The folks at Opera announced an innovative technology in latest mobile Web browser - Opera Mobile 9.5- the latest version of its award-winning Web browser for sophisticated feature phones and smartphones. Participants at the Mobile World Congress 2008 will be the first to experience the improved functionality of Opera Mobile 9.5. Built on Opera's unique core architecture, the Opera Mobile 9.5 desktop-like browsing experience has been enhanced with innovations such as zooming and panning that make it easier to navigate, load pages quicker and get users closer to the Web content and entertainment they want. With Opera Mobile 9.5, users can experience the real Web and interact with content exactly as they do on their PC.

Faster speed
The new version utilizes Opera's Presto rendering engine to achieve page load speeds comparable to a desktop experience. The Opera Presto engine was modified and improves browsing performance significantly by accelerating the handling of Web pages. It dramatically improves page responsiveness on pages with heavy use of languages such as JavaScript and Ajax, ensuring smooth, hassle-free browsing.

Compelling experience
Opera Mobile 9.5 includes numerous features aimed at elevating the mobile browsing experience. Not only is the user interface (UI) intuitive enough to master in minutes, Opera Mobile 9.5 introduces several new innovations that elevate the Internet experience on a handheld device. Users can take advantage of the intuitive Opera ZoomT to dive into the page and get closer to the content they want. In addition, productivity tools like the ability to save pages for offline browsing, Web address auto complete and password manager help busy users make the most of their time.

Fully loaded
Web 2.0-enabled, Widget-ready and Flash support turn Opera Mobile 9.5 into a fully loaded browser allowing users to access all their favorite Web sites such as Facebook, MySpace and more. With Opera Mobile 9.5, OEMs and operators will have the capability to include Flash Lite 3, empowering their smartphone users with access to the full Web including the ability to watch videos on YouTube effortlessly. In addition, Opera Widgets, which are mini applications that allow content to be accessed easily from the device idle screen with just a few clicks, are included in the new edition - automatically engaging the user through ease of operation and meeting consumer demands for quick access to information.

The Opera Mobile 9.5 experience includes many of the innovations found in Opera's trend-setting desktop browser including:

- Intuitive user interface
- Tabbed browsing
- Improved text wrap
- Page overview, zooming and panning
- Landscape mode
- Save Web page for future offline access
- Call phone number from Web page
- Send link as SMS/MMS
- Send image as SMS/MMS
- Small Screen RenderingT
- Password manager
- Web-address input auto-completion
- History and bookmarks
- Copy text
- Opera Widgets

Opera Mobile is currently shipped on more than 100 million phones with many of the world's top mobile OEMs and operators such as HTC, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, T-Mobile, and others.
Leading software platform provider, UIQ, has realized the potential of Opera's new mobile browser. "UIQ works with the world's leading mobile phone manufacturers to create the ultimate user experience. Our long-standing partnership with Opera has given users the ability to access all their favorite Web sites and services," says Mats Barvesten, EVP Product Planning and Product Management at UIQ Technology. "We look forward to introducing our upcoming handsets, featuring the groundbreaking Opera Mobile 9.5 browser."

Along with hands-on exposure to Opera Mobile 9.5, Mobile World Congress participants will also have the ability to experience Opera on a variety of devices: Opera Mobile on smartphones, free downloads of Opera Mini 4, improved Web browsing on gaming consoles and the ARCHOS Generation 5 Media players will be just a few of the exciting features of Opera's 2008 exhibit.

Opera Mobile 9.5 will be available on all major platforms including Symbian, Windows Mobile and Linux, as both a standalone browser and as a SDK. The public beta release of Opera Mobile 9.5 will be announced separately.

A demo video is also available here of the new 9.5 browser its pretty impressive.

Hey, I know Skype wasn't added to the standard PSP (1000 Series) with this update and its only available on the newer slim PSP aka 2000 Series that you will get this option to Skype from your PSP. Its not really worth it to me to purchase another PSP just for the feature, that was announced at CES, nor is the video out option, since I use the PSP for watching movies locally ripped. I do have a Zune, but the screen on the PSP and the expanded battery make it perfect for watching movies on coast to coast flights when I am not partaking in some mobile gaming. The update does add some features if you like me haven't updated your PSP in a while.

The PSP is still one of the best mobile devices I have bought, Don and Eric also picked one up a year and a half ago in a bundle package when we were doing some contract work for Microsoft at Frys. I would love it if Microsoft came up with a similar device (once on a flight home from SEATAC I sat next to a XBOX hardware engineer and the possibility was discussed-fingers crossed) with a touch screen and hand controls, WiFi, Bluetooth, an SSD drive that downloads game titles, music, video from the 360 or computer from Xbox Live, Zune, Amazon Unbox, etc. No Discs, no proprietary format for movies that cost as much as DVDs. Added functionality is great, but make it a great portable gaming platform first and supplemental entertainment device second. We can only dream...OK back to the update.

Here are some of the other features added to the PSP from the update:

• (Skype™) has been added as a feature under [Network] for the 2000 Series only
• Support for PLAYSTATION®Network titles has been expanded.

If you haven't upgraded to 3.8 you will also get their updates as well:

• Network
  • (Internet Radio) has been added as a feature under [Network]. You can now play programs (audio content) distributed by Internet radio stations.
• Settings
  • Version 1.2.0.0 of the theme creation tool is now available here. You must use this version to create a theme for a PSP® system with system software version 3.80 or later.
    * A theme that was created using version 1.2.0.0 of the theme creation tool cannot be displayed on a PSP® system with system software earlier than version 3.80.
• Video
  • You can now preview each scene of a video using the [Scene Search] feature. (Note this is just awesome. Like chapters on a DVD you can skip forward or backward to video converted to the PSP.)
• Music
  • The number of visual player types that can be used has been increased.
• Network
  • You can now import OPML files under (RSS Channel). Yes this works with your Bloglines feeds Virginia...
  • You can now view photos displayed on a PSP® system that is connected to the Internet under (RSS Channel). (Flikr feed support)

The PSP has done some nice things over the years and is still in my book the top portable gaming platform out there, they get the ability to add functionality via software and have provided numerous updates over the years supporting a better browsing experience, music(if they would only add album art support for that nice screen) Video playback is awesome once you get used to the controls. Remote Play is great too if you have a PS3, which may be a next purchase for me if the price drops and the number of gaming titles make it worth it. (Right now the 360 is my top gaming platform, but a Wii may be in our family's future since the kids love playing at their friends house, but at a recent sleep over the 360 got a work out by some 10 year old girls playing Fusion Frenzy 2, Guitar Hero 2 & 3)

Online instruction Manuals, how cool is that, Microsoft and Nintendo should take note on that. Location Free Player, meh I have a Slingbox and love it and it works with so many more devices not just the PSP, too bad Sony won't allow Sling to offer a client for the PSP. TiVoToGo allows you to watch recorded TV content (downloaded to your Memory Stick Duo™) from your TiVo.

The RSS Channels have a very nice UX (User Experience) granted when you now first launch it. Sony is pimping their content for the PSP which is fine with videos of popular titles updated daily. The RSS feeds even have a Media Finder for PSP Games, Game Demos, UMD Media, Videos, Images, Music, and RSS. I really like the ability to download demos via the PlayStation Underground (which is much easier to sign up for online rather than on the PSP) very similar to the Xbox Live experience on the 360. Here you can download content to your Sony Memory stick. The nice added feature is OPML import support.

The Internet Radio Player is a JavaScript plug-in saved to your Sony Memory stick that allows you to listen to SHOUTcast radio streams, which you can already do on Windows Mobile devices with GSPlayer or Resco's Pocket Radio. It is a great replacement for those who don't have satellite radio and do have a WiFi connection.

The controls are kind of hard to use. My kids figured it out fairly easily, how ever both my mother and wife thought it was cool it was hard for them to operate . They both agreed it would be nice if there was better use of the buttons on the device, but there is a help screen to give you directions on how to use the player. My daughter really liked it and wished her Zune had a similar functionality, I told her maybe in the future...

Overall Sony keeps pushing out updates fairly regularly on a pretty old platform to make it current and I appreciate it and best of all it is free.

To learn more about this update and how to perform the update head here.

If you don’t have a ProClip solution for yourself; consider this the perfect Valentine gift for you and that special one in mind.

The folks at ProClip USA will offer a special Valentine discount of 10% off to get you and that special someone in your life a great in-vehicle mounting solution for the many gadgets and mobile devices you have and love, but not as much as your Significant Other of course! :)

All you have to do is just enter the following code in the AC-field during the check out process and select apply.  The Valentine 2008 AC promotion number =  021408

This offer expires on February 18, 2008

To take advantage of this offer head over to http://www.proclipusa.com

From the WindowsVistaBlog Mike Nash from the Windows Product Management group at Microsoft announced that Microsoft has released Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista to manufacturing (RTM) for our first set of languages (English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese).

Here's the timing for SP1 availability for current Windows Vista users:

• In mid-March, we will release Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Update (in English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese) and to the download center on microsoft.com.  Customers who visit Windows Update can choose to install Service Pack 1.  If Windows Update determines that the system has one of the drivers we know to be problematic, then Windows Update will not offer SP1.  Since we know that some customers may want to update to SP1 anyhow, the download center will allow anyone who wants to install SP1 to do so.
• In mid-April, we will begin delivering Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Vista customers who have chosen to have updates downloaded automatically.  That said, any system that Windows Update determines has a driver known to not update successfully will not get SP1 automatically.  As updates for these drivers become available, they will be installed automatically by Windows Update, which will unblock these systems from getting Service Pack 1.  The result is that more and more systems will automatically get SP1, but only when we are confident they will have a good experience.
• The remaining languages will RTM in April.

New customers should feel great about buying Windows Vista today, knowing that when everything is ready, SP1 will be available to them via Windows Update.  In the meantime, remember that you can take advantage of the benefits of Windows Vista (including many improvements delivered via Windows Update) even without Service Pack 1.

This is an important milestone for our current and future Windows Vista customers around the world.  I want to take a minute to thank our customers for their feedback on Windows Vista and the beta of Service Pack 1.  I also want to thank our hardware and software partners for their continued efforts to deliver the best experiences on Windows Vista.

You can read the entire post by going here.

To read about all the notable changes in Vista SP1 head to this article on Technet.

For a complete list of the hotfixes and updates they can be found in Hotfixes and Security Updates included in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 article on Technet. (There are a lot of them!)