BostonPocketPC

It’s time once again for our monthly Boston/New England Windows Mobile User/Developer Group meeting! This month, our meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18th starting at 6:30PM at the Microsoft offices in Waltham, MA (201 Jones Road, 6th floor).

This month’s topic -

It’s Off To The Market (place)
Coinciding with the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft has also launched the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. This “one-stop shop” for Windows Phones allows you to browse, purchase and download applications for your device – right from your device!

In this presentation, we will look at the Windows Marketplace for Mobile from both the end-user and developer perspective. We will talk about how to get started, what to consider and what the Windows Marketplace brings to the table.

I am currently on my way to NYC and while I am here I will be attending some Windows 7 Launch events. If you are not in NYC you can still watch the Launch Party with Steve Ballmer live here.

I will also be attending the Engadget Show where the folks at Engadget will be interviewing Steve B at the Times Building in NYC. They will also be live blogging the event as well in typical Engadget fashion.

I will also be doing some meet ups with various bloggers and friends that are in the Big Apple and will report back when I can what I see here as well as via Twitter. Tomorrow I will head to some stores with some other bloggers and see how consumers are liking Windows 7 as well as how retailers are selling it. We may even do some demos of our own! If you are in the area and want to stop by I will be tweeting our location.

Brandon LeBlanc has also posted some great news on some great bundles that are available. The best one looks to be the 3 computer bundle from Best Buy for $1199.

• Best Buy Bundle: HP Laptop, Desktop PC with monitor, Netbook, wireless router and set-up by Geek Squad for $1,199. For the price of one average Mac, you can outfit your entire family with 3 great Windows 7 PCs and a home network!
• Dell: Save more than $100 on a Dell Studio XPS13
• Gateway: All-in-one Acer Gateway ZX6800 23" for $899

Also check out this HD video of Brian and Stewie from Family Guy called Windows 7 is Here [HD].

I will be twittering too. You can follow me @fyiguy This looks to be one busy day and I can’t wait to see and share all the new hardware from partner OEMs geared for Windows 7.

For any mobile solution provider, keeping up with change is always a challenge. When you are a provider of not only end-user products but also developer tools, the challenge is even greater. Resco is one developer addressing these changes, and is even going further…

Resco MobileForms Toolkit now optimized for application development for Windows® phones

Bratislava, Slovakia — October 20, 2009 — Resco, a supplier of advanced developer components and tools for mobile devices, announces that its popular suite of Microsoft .NET Compact Framework components called Resco MobileForms Toolkit now supports development of applications for Windows® phones

Resco is pleased to have the opportunity to optimize its widely used suite of components for mobile applications development for the new Windows phones.

“The majority of users, when buying a new cell phone, consider the basic parameters of the device, such as its design, operation system, new functionalities,” said Radomir Vozar, Resco Developer Tools & Enterprise Division Director. “Much more important, especially for development companies, is the development environment and here the dominance of Microsoft and Microsoft Visual Studio is more than evident.”

Thanks to Resco MobileForms Toolkit, all developers familiar with Visual Studio have a great opportunity to develop Windows phone applications that fully compete in attractiveness with platforms like iPhone or Android.

“We’re pleased that Resco is helping developers reach the millions of people using Windows phones by offering the the Resco MobileForms Toolkit,” said Jason Lim, director of ISV and developer experience at Microsoft Corp.

The complete press release can be found at the Resco web site.

If that isn’t enough, Resco is also steeping in to fill the Microsoft Dynamics CRM void. If you are unaware, Microsoft recently announced that they are discontinuing Microsoft Dynamics Mobile. Resco has stepped up to fill that gap, however…

Resco announces support for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Resco SFA and CRM solutions will be integrated with Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Bratislava — October 20, 2009 — Resco, a supplier of advanced developer components, tools and business solutions for mobile devices, announces that its popular SFA and CRM solution Resco MobileBusiness ESP will be integrated with Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Although there are many mobile CRM solutions available in the mobile market, most of them are either a thin client, or end-user applications with limited customization opportunities. On the other hand, Resco MobileBusiness ESP is a developer platform that can be used by developers from all around the world as a base for their own mobile CRM and SFA applications.

“Since the release of Resco MobileBusiness ESP there’ve been many concerns from the integrators about the option to integrate it with Microsoft Dynamics CRM,” said Ivan Stano, Marketing & Sales, Resco Enterprise Solutions. “That contributed to our decision to create a tool for integrators to help them develop their own Dynamics CRM mobile extensions.”

The Resco MobileBusiness ESP solution is a developer platform for mobile business applications that work in off-line mode and allow, when it is needed, synchronization with server database. Thanks to the support for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the Resco MobileBusiness ESP will enable synchronization of mobile client data with Microsoft Dynamics CRM database.

“We realize the miscellaneous ways of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM usage in various companies,” said Miroslav Pomsar, Resco MobileBusiness ESP head developer. “Resco MobileBusiness ESP will solve multiple basic scenarios with customization opportunities embedded directly into Microsoft Visual Studio.”

Resco MobileBusiness ESP for Microsoft Dynamics CRM will be supplied with well-commented C# source code. Thus, it will be possible to perform elaborated adjustments that can lead to significant changes of the solution’s nature. Furthermore, the nature of the Resco MobileBusiness ESP solution as a developer platform and its licensing policy allow the developers creating solutions under own brand and with royalty-free distribution.

The first release of MobileBusiness ESP for Microsoft Dynamics CRM is expected to come in December 2009.

The complete press release for this announcement can also be found on the Resco web site.

All in all, Resco has really stepped up in supporting the Windows Pnone enterprise and developer communities.

I have often written and spoken about my personal favorite enhancements for Windows Mobile devices. Always high on this list has been SBSH Mobile Software’s Facade. It is truly one of the great home screen enhancements for Windows Phone non-touch screen devices. While Windows Mobile 6.1 and 6.5 have improved upon the home screen concept with the “sliding panels” approach, Facade continues to provide amazing additional functionality. Even better – a great product now looks even greater with the release of Facade 2.0 -

October 19th, 2009 - SBSH Mobile Software is excited to announce today the Facade for Windows Mobile Standard major update to version 2! SBSH Facade 2 for Smartphone is the ultimate front-end solution for WM Smartphones! Combining vital phone features and agenda, all in one professionally designed display, visible and accessible each time you power on your phone!
SBSH Facade 2 is powerful and optimized for mobile use like never before! Including new Home Panel with date and clock, alarms, profiles, pending counters, weather, appointments and tasks!; Custom home screen plugin integration, with multiple plugins in a single Facade panel; Integration with all major PIMs; Category colors and icons; Easy skin packaging and installation and much more!

 SBSH Facade 2 Highlights

• Home Tab - Date and time, alarms, profiles, pending counters, appointments and tasks - all in one screen display!
• Custom Plugins - Host any custom home screen plugin within Facade panels
• Appointments and Tasks - Powerful combined display including both appointments and tasks in a single section
• PIM Integration - Special integration with all major PIMs: SBSH Calendar, Pocket Outlook, Pocket Informant, AgendaOne and Agendus
• Category Icons and Colors - Use category icons and colors as part of your agenda display! Includes automatic use of SBSH Calendar category icons and configuration
• Monthly Calendar - Monthly calendar tab shows the days of each month within a Facade tab
• More Weather - Integration with SBSH PocketWeather revamped, including new forecast weather buttons and current temperature
• Skin Packages - Designers can now create installable layout packages, simplifying skin installation to a single file
• MRU Buttons - Most recently used button shortcuts now available
• Windows Mobile 6.5 - Fully compatible with Windows Mobile 5 through 6.5 devices

You can find out more about Facade 2.0 at the SBSH web site. Facade is also offering a free upgrade for users who purchased the previous version after July 1, 2009. In addition, all registered Facade owners who purchased prior to this date are entitled to an upgrade discount! You can find out all of the details at the Facade upgrade page.

Congratulation to SBSH! The new version looks even better than the old (and that is no small accomplishment).

It’s meeting time again, all! The next meeting of the Boston/New England Windows Mobile User and Developer Groups will be held this Wednesday (October 21, 2009) starting at 6:30 PM at the Microsoft offices in Waltham, MA (201 Jones Road, 6th Floor).

Our featured presentation - “Back ‘Dat Thang Up!: Windows Mobile Backup Strategies”
While the title may sound humorous, there is nothing funny when it comes to the loss of personal data. With the high percentage of breakage, loss and theft of cellular phones the need to preserve critical information is always a concern. Microsoft has officially released it’s official cloud-based backup solution for Windows Mobile 6.5 devices in the My Phone service, but that may not be the right solution for all your needs.

In this presentation, we will talk about creating your own (or your business’) backup strategy and finding the right tools to meet your needs.

For all those that have written in, Yes we have a meeting tonight. Don is down in Atlanta, but we will carry on with out him. Today’s topic will be cool,fun and new applications for the Windows Mobile platform. The format will be several demonstrations of several applications that take advantage of the hardware found in current Windows Mobile devices –accelerometers, cameras, GPS, data radios, WiFi and Bluetooth.

The next meeting of the Boston/New England Windows Mobile User and Developer Group will be held on Wednesday, September 16th starting at 6:30 PM at the Microsoft offices in Waltham, MA (201 Jones Road, 6th Floor).

Sorry for the late notice.

Well it is better late than never. The Windows Mobile group has been working hard on releasing the latest version of Windows Mobile 6.5 aka Windows phone 6.5 since it was announced at Mobile World Congress back in Feb. 2009, to keep parity with the crowded Smartphone marketplace. Microsoft also announced that on October 6th, 2009 (which we assume to be at CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment)to accompany several new phones and the latest version of the mobile operating system it will be opening up its long awaited App Store called Windows Marketplace for Mobile and popular free My Phone service.

In just five weeks, you’ll have a bunch of new Windows phones to choose from. But before we show you some of the cool, new phones that will be coming out, I want to explain how we’re trying to make phones even better with Windows.

When we started work on Windows phones, we met with people all over the world who were likely to buy a Smartphone and talked with them about what’s important to them in their phone. Looking at the U.S. market, for example, we found that about 15 million people in the next year will buy a new smartphone.

Of the people we talked to, 74% listed productivity as the top feature they value in their Smartphone. We took this feedback to heart, making the user interface more touch friendly and improving notifications and updates from e-mail, text and calendar items. We also included the latest Internet Explorer Mobile browser and added free services like My Phone to help protect data in the event of a lost phone and Windows Marketplace for Mobile for access to a wide variety of applications for direct download…

On Oct. 6^th, you’ll see new Windows phones designed for a variety of tastes, needs and price points - with or without keyboards, with or without touch screens, as well as your choice of GPS, accelerometer and high resolution camera. There are a lot of great options and we can’t wait to show them to you. Until then, keep an eye on our partners as they announce details on new Windows phones and where you can find them this fall.

· In North America: Mobile operators AT&T, Bell Mobility, Sprint, TELUS and Verizon Wireless, and phone manufacturers HP, HTC Corp., LG Electronics, Samsung and Toshiba Corp.

· In Europe: Mobile operators Orange, Deutsche Telekom AG and Vodafone Group Plc, and phone manufacturers Acer, HTC, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba

· In Latin America: Mobile operator TIM Brazil, and phone manufacturers HTC, LG Electronics and Samsung

· In Asia Pacific: Mobile operators NTT DOCOMO Inc., SOFTBANK Mobile Corp., SK Telecom, Telstra and WILLCOM Inc., and phone manufacturers Acer Inc., HTC, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba

(more on the press release here.)

We can only surmise what devices will be receiving the Windows Mobile (Phone) 6.5 update, but with Sprint announcing that their version of the the HTC Touch Pro 2,which looks very similar to the CDMA version of the Touch Pro 2 by T-Mobile will be getting the Windows phone 6.5 OS since it will be available 2 days after the October 6th announcement by Microsoft. Other versions of the Touch Pro 2 are also expected on other carriers in the same time frame as well from AT&T and Verizon. Many are hoping that existing devices will be getting the Windows Mobile 6.5 update. According to the deal posted on wmdeals it states that both the Dash 3G and Touch Pro 2 from T-Mobile will be getting the Windows phone 6.5 update.

Hopefully to appease current customers as well as attract new customers to T-Mobile's lower 3G data rates it will be made available for download on or about the 6th. No official word yet so lets keep our fingers crossed on that one. Other rumors are that some other devices will be getting the Windows phone 6.5 update. We already know that the Samsung Jack will be getting the Windows phone 6.5 as announced in May on AT&T, hopefully there will be more announcements in October.

Many are already guessing what phones will be coming to which carrier many are hoping for a new version of the popular OLED equipped Samsung Omnia HD,SnapDragon equipped Toshiba’s TG01,  or LG’s new phones which have committed to make 50 different Windows Phone devices by 2012. The first handset probably to take advantage of the deal will be the LG GM730 touch-screen Smartphone. LG will be layering its S-Class user interface on top of the operating system, which is a cube-based layout that provides customizable one-touch access to music, Internet services, videos, and other features. I am really curious what HP will bring to the table, will it be the same devices that had limited exposure in Europe with the Ipaq Data Messenger and Ipaq Voice Messenger or an entirely new phone. I can’t wait to see!

Well, congratulations are in order for our hard working friends over at Ivy Worldwide (formerly Buzz Corps), who were selected by Hewlett Packard for the HP Circle Award by HP Worldwide Marketing Executives in an an extensive competition among several other marketing companies. The had also were the 2008 Wommie Award Winner for the 31 Days of the Dragon Giveaway Promotion.

Ivy Worldwide created the "31 Days of the Dragon" promotion in July 2008 - which ran on 31 separate blogger sites for 31 days. We were extremely fortunate to have participated with 30 other websites and blogs, where BostonPocketPC was honored to be selected to be a part of this promotional program for HP.

There were 411 entries of various promotional campaigns from 36 countries, each of which was seeking recognition for their work in promoting HP products. HP Global Marketing Executives were seeking to reward the highest performers that showed creativity, a high return on investment, and brand building via the HP Circle Award.

HP Circle Award

Created to celebrate MARKETING AND DESIGN EXCELLENCE at the company, HP’s CIRCLE Awards have created some fierce internal competition. In 2009, the global technology leader saw an unprecedented 411 entries pouring in from 36 participating countries for the chance to be recognized with this prestigious award sponsored by HP’s GLOBAL MARKETING EXECUTIVES.

Entries were judged according to the CIRCLE criteria of Collaboration, Innovation, Relevance, Consistency, LEADERSHIP, and Effectiveness. The overall goal: to reward CREATIVITY, ROI and brand building. In the first round of judging, review panels from within HP chose finalists in each of 14 categories. In the second round, executive judges were invited to HP headquarters to select CIRCLE Award winners

Again Congratulations! Not only to Ivy Worldwide, but this is something that should be shared with every blogger who participated in the campaign and their online communities!

I have received quite a few tweets and emails pertaining to the Zune HD Pamphlet that was handed out at Best Buy during the Zune HD Best Buy Event (even more since it was posted on Engadget).

One thing I noticed was how similar the pamphlet size was to the box on the demo table and just assume it is one that will be included in the box as an accessory up-sell to inform users of the available accessories and services available to the Zune HD. A video and few pictures on the internet have confirmed this.

The Front – Zune Everywhere

explore beyond music at zune marketplace

(The upper left corner)

Access Zune Marketplace from your Zune software. Easily find music, HD movies, TV shows & podcasts from millions of selections. Explore new and more music with Mixview & other unique discovery features.

This got a lot of people excited- seeing HD movies available for download. I wonder if Mixview will apply to videos as well - Kind of how Netflix does their movie referrals based on your ratings of movies. This may or may not be the new Zune 4 software or it could be an aspect of it. It looks very much akin to the Xbox 360 Zune Video Marketplace that was demoed earlier this year. Hopefully the same ease of use, UX, and nice graphics will carry over.

simplify your life with zune software

(lower left)

Zune software smartly organizes your collection exactly how you like it. Browse Zune Marketplace for music videos,& more. Get all your favorite music & recommendations right up front with QuickPlay.

This seems the same as the current Zune 3.0 desktop client. I wonder if there will be some integration of song PINs, New, and History on the desktop client as there is on the Zune HD, so you will have a similar experience when you are experiencing music on your desktop software client. What they really need is a Mac OSX client that will help transition those from iTunes and iPods and those that use Macs that don’t want to run a Virtual PC session in Fusion, BootCamp, or Parallels just to sync their Zune.

(Underneath the Zune)

HD Radio & HD –compatible video. Multi-Touch-navigation is a breeze.Surf the web & download music from Wi-Fi hotspots.

The current Zune needs configuration of Wi-Fi hotspots via the desktop client to enter any keys,pass phrases, etc. Now that the Zune HD has browser support it can easily jump on public Wi-Fi hotspots that require proxies and passwords. Older version will probably have to look at using the desktop software unless a software update includes a keyboard.

connect with music and more on zune.net

(middle right)

Log into Zune music universe from a web browser. Stream music & podcasts. Check your inbox & see what everyone’s playing in the Social.

Pretty much the same currently on the web client.I wonder if there will be some UI enhancements and some Silverlight or similar interfaces as seen on the Xbox 360.

expand your entertainment with Xbox 360

(Upper Right)

Buy movies & TV shows and playback on your TV, PC or Zune player. Get smooth HD video streaming from Zune on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Play music from your Zune player on Xbox 360 while you game.

This is the integration between the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Zune Marketplace in regards to video which was announced at E3 09 this June that the video on the Xbox 360 will fall under the Zune brand and Marketplace. Note on the Xbox 360 it will get 1080P movies in 5.1 surround sound. The Zune will get 720P movies down-converted to fit on the screen, but will still have 5.1 surround sound support. Looks like MS is finally aligning their services together and got all the legal matters settled with the content providers allowing them licensing on the Zune and hopefully other devices as Zune as a service evolves. The music while you play was always there and the Xbox 360 supports other sources for music as well including iPod.

Zune Pass enjoy unlimited music for one low monthly fee

(lower right)

Download as much music as you like. Keep your favorites with 10 song credits per month. Use you Zune Pass with up to 3 different players & PCs. Try a 14-day Zune Pass @zune.net/free

Still a good deal. It might be better if they throw a free movie every other month as well - I am just sayin’ :) Here I would love to see some interface with other services that are out there that are now supported on the Xbox 360 like Last FM and Pandora support with the ability of adding songs that are streaming from these services to “my favorites” or “pins” and for purchase via the Zune Marketplace.This would also be great for other devices that support the Zune Marketplace like Sonos, which already has these partnerships. Hopefully this is in the works.

The Back – All the Accessories You Need

These are the accessories available at www.zune.net/accessories

Zune Premium Car Pack

Charge and Play music, podcasts & HD Radio stations from your Zune HD player while you drive. FM transmitter / car charger auto seeks the best available frequency on your car stereo. 

From Microsoft Store ($79.99):

Charge and play music, podcasts, and HD Radio^TM from your Zune HD player while you drive. FM transmitter/car charger auto-seeks the best available frequency on your car stereo. USB port allows you to charge a second Zune player simultaneously.

This looks like V3 of the Car Pack aka FM modulator for the Zune. It looks much smaller than the previous versions, but I want to know will work better? The two previous versions have incrementally gotten better, but still how do you say? - suck. I don’t know if it has to do with the new FCC regulations for FM transmitters that Satellite radios had to deal with recently for being “too strong” or just poor design. I have an older Griffin iTrip that works fine, but doesn’t charge the Zune. The new Car Pack has the tuning LED display in the Zune connector with what looks like two Preset buttons above the display like the last version. There is also an additional USB port for charge another USB based device like your phone. There also appears to be a hole under the cable connector. I wonder if that is an additional AUX 3.5mm input or antenna for the HD Radio?

Zune Charge Pack

The Zune AC Adapter will quickly recharge your Zune player up to 70% within an hour. Folding blades make it easier to travel with. use The included USB cable to sync with your PC.

From Microsoft Store ($29.99):

Includes AC adapter and USB cable.
Compatible with: Zune HD (32 & 16), Zune 120, Zune 80, Zune 16, Zune 8, Zune 4.

About time faster charge and folding blades make it more travel friendly. It also looks thinner with the USB port on the side. It looks like the small USB wall-wart charger that comes with the Aliph Jawbone II and Prime and can easily fit into a crowded outlet strip. It looks like it will easily fit in ones gear bag or pocket. Specs don’t list the Zune 30GB, but I am sure it will work fine.

Zune HD,AV & Power Pack

Connect your docked Zune HD with the A/V cable to your home audio system to play music and HD Radio stations. The HDMI cable connects your docked Zune HD with your HDTV so you can view movies & videos. Zune AC Adapter included. (Dock sold separately)

From Microsoft Store ($49.99):

Includes AC adapter, HDMI cable, and AV output cable.
Compatible with: Zune HD (32 & 16), Zune 120, Zune 80, Zune 16, Zune 8, Zune 4.

This cable was on display during the Best Buy demos Hooked up to the AV Dock.

Zune Sync Dock (not shown in pamphlet)

Connect with your PC and sync all your content while you charge your Zune player. Wireless remote included.

From Microsoft Store ($49.99):

Includes dock, three inserts (one for each Zune model), wireless remote, and AC adapter.
Compatible with: Zune HD (32 & 16), Zune 120, Zune 80, Zune 16, Zune 8, and Zune 4.

This isn’t shown in the pamphlet, but I would assume it would be the same as the AV Dock, since it comes with a remote control, but it looks like it’s designed for the desktop only to connect your computer. I am hoping that it also has audio out and maybe composite video(yellow RCA) I am confused on this one without a picture, one can only speculate that this dock will be backwards compatible with the older Zunes and support the new Zune HD. Looks like the 30GB Zune will be left out of this one like with the Zune AV Dock unless there are different docking options like the ones offered in the iHome accessories and wonder if no adapter inserted would accept the 30GB Zune. It would be nice if this dock allowed you to charge your Zune and play audio out to PC speakers when connected to a PC when the play button is pressed instead of default synching.

Zune HD & AV Dock

This all-in-one package enables Zune HD to charge,snc & play HD videos on supported HDTVs. Send music and HD Radio content to your home audio system and control it all via wireless remote.

From the Microsoft Store ($89.99):

This all-in-one package enables your Zune HD player to charge, sync, and play supported 720p HD videos on your HDTV. Send music and HD Radio^TM to your home audio system and control it all via a wireless remote.
Includes dock, three inserts (one for each Zune model), wireless remote, AC adapter, HDMI cable, and AV output cable. Zune HD player sold separately.
Compatible with: Zune HD (32 & 16), Zune 120, Zune 80, Zune 16, Zune 8, and Zune 4.

As said in the text this is the all in one AV pack needed to show video on an external display/TV. If you notice in this picture it shows the Zune Charge Pack with the AC blades folded – showing a nice compact block. The cable length is fairly bulky to carry and one would hope there was some way to contain the octopus of cables like a bag or something.

(Photo Courtesy of Gizmodo)

The back is the business end of the dock with a thin wire that looked like an antenna and a hardwired cable and connectors for both the tri-3.5mm AV jack that has your standard Composite video (yellow) and stereo audio(red and white), optical out and HDMI out. 

(Photo Courtesy of Gizmodo)

The remote control is different from the ones previous in that there are more buttons. One at the top simulates the D-pad with left,right,up,down and middle select. Beneath that are two thin rectangular buttons the back and Home keys and below them are the media buttons- Volume Up and Down, Next and Previous track and Play/Pause.

If you are wondering what the product boxes may look like. The images on the back of the pamphlet look to match up with what was on the Zune HD & AV Dock box that was demoed at Best Buy. ;)

Hope that answers most of your questions. If not feel free to comment below.