Aug 16, 2006 | blog
So Skype seems to have released a new version of the Pocket PC interface to their service (though I believe its actually in beta yet). Though they have not worked on reducing the system requirements so all us HTC Wizard users can use the software, they have several new features.
Among the changes:
- feature: Multi-chat support
- feature: SkypeIn support
- feature: Voicemail support
- feature: Call forwarding support
- feature: Profile editing
- feature: Detailed search
- feature: Contact list information with avatar and mood messages support
- feature: Improved chat-more emoticons and ‘set topic’ ability
- feature: Animated emoticons
- feature: Skype Launcher
- feature: GSM and Skype callsmanagement
- feature: Larger Dial Pad and delete button in Dial Pad
- feature: Online help
- feature: One click access to Skype from the device home screen
- change: Contact list sorting
- bugfix: Saved SkypeOut contacts are shown without their name in the Log tab
- bugfix: VM sender Skype name is displayed instead of the real name
- bugfix: Chat partner username instead of the real name displayed in tab head
- bugfix: ‘Clear Log’ doesn’t work for unknown SI call
- bugfix: Call duration is only in minutes:seconds
- bugfix: Search enabled while offline
- bugfix: ‘Hold’ is enabled, when the call is already on hold
- bugfix: Call ‘hold’ is allowed before call is answered
- bugfix: ‘Hold’ reminds checked with new conference call
- bugfix: Possible to send just space in chat
- bugfix: Overlapped notifications on Start tab
- bugfix: Contact names are overlapped in Contact list
- bugfix: Allow calls and allow chats menus are empty while signed out
- bugfix: Scrollbar doesn’t reach the end in Call log
- bugfix: Selected privacy option not updated first time
- bugfix: Title bar notifications are not removed after signing out
- bugfix: Incoming chat will create notification when some dialog is open
- bugfix: Offline icon changes to pending for contact who hasn’t been online for a long time
- bugfix: Call duration is delayed for longer calls while browsing other programs at the same time
Link to CoolSmartPhone.com – New version of Skype for Pocket PC released
Aug 1, 2006 | blog
Antoine Wright over at Brighthand makes a great point on the industry needing to meet needs of the average user by simplifying the smartphone/pda devices. In his article Looking Down the Wrong End of the Barrel: How PDAs Got It All Wrong, he discusses how sophisticated devices such as the Palm and Pocket PC require understanding the feature set, and that means reading the manual.
Many people will agree with me that a smartphone and a data package is a much better way to be connected than a simple “dumb” phone. However, the top selling phone in the U.S. is the Motorola RAZR. Why? It’s sleek, it’s simple, and it does what it does (make calls). For it to do more would make the target audience freak out because they would have to learn something new.
Now the part I take issue with is the “they would have to learn something new” piece. Now I know the average person just wants to use the device for what it was designed for. I also understand that all these fantastic devices available on the market (or on their way to market) really do need to go to Toaster University for a dose of KISS 101.
It just bothers me that people insist on not learning something new. Does this apply to everything in their life? Is it that people just do not want to learn anymore? Are they too busy to pick up some new techniques, tools, tips, or {gasp} ideas? If the drive by media is any indication, it may be too late to worry about.
To keep myself from getting too worked up I’ll take the glass-half-full view and believe that smarter simpler devices will free up a person’s time. That additional free time to be spent with family, friends, or just reading one of those old-fashoned paper books we all used to know so well.
~Later
Jun 29, 2006 | blog
Looks like Cingular will be getting three more Windows Mobile devices this year. The Boy Genius has the post over at Engadget Mobile on the trio of devices: HTC Hermes, HTC StarTrek, and HP iPaq hw6920.
While I’ve posted about the hw6900 series before, the Hermes and StarTrek devices are going to be more interesting. With HSDPA on the Hermes for 400-700kbs data rates, it’ll be quite speedy. The wonderful design of the StarTrek flip phone will appeal to the average and high-end cell phone user.
Can’t wait to see more of these devices spread to other carriers as well – or in the case of the HTC devices, simply look around for the iMate and HTC versions that can work with any GSM carrier. Damn, I love technology. 🙂
Jun 23, 2006 | blog
So Engadget Mobile is reporting that the HP iPaq hw6915 Windows Mobile based Pocket PC Phone is set to be launched on July 4th, 2006.
So what!?!
The device is way overdue, brings nothing new to the table, and is ridiculously overpriced. It just shows that HP had long ago lost the edge on Pocket PC design.
Priced at $890 (US), this low-resolution thumb cramper is probably going to be an easy pass by most smartphone shoppers this summer. Even with a processor upgrade over previous models and having WM5’s AKU2 incorporated in the device, there are more compelling designs available.
With smartphones like the Moto Q, Samsung’s SGH-i320, or the HTC Wizard based devices like the T-Mobile MDA or Cingular 8125, and their CDMA brother, the XV6700 available on both Sprint and Verizon.
You could compare the 6915 to the Palm Treo 700w in a number of ways, but even as a previous HP PPC owner, I’d throw down on the 700w. Or even the Treo 700p which has a stunning 360×360 screen, though it is a Palm OS device.
Anyway, I think there are many, many better choices than this overpriced device.
Jun 22, 2006 | blog
If you have been watching the Windows Vista space, you would be aware that there is a built-in sync service called Windows Mobile Device Center.
With WMDC, ActiveSync will be a fuzzy memory as all synchronization services are brought directly into the OS with Vista. In addition to Pocket PC and Smartphone, the new tool will sync audio, video, and camera devices as well.
Anyway, Smartphone Thoughts has a Quick Look at the new Windows Mobile Device Center. Check it out, its worth a look!
