Author Archive: Matt

Astraware to join the Handmark family

Handmark and Astraware have announced a new business relationship in which Astraware will become part of the Handmark family.

From the press release:

Handmark and Astraware have worked together on entertainment projects for several years. Astraware undertook development work on the Tetris? Handmark major game license, and both companies already offer each other?s titles on their respective web shops.

Through the new relationship, Astraware will expand its existing UK games development studio to develop new high profile licenses as well as continuing work on original titles. In addition to Palm OS(R) and Windows Mobile(R), Astraware will release their first titles for Symbian(R) S60(R) and UIQ(R) in the first quarter of 2008, and will add games for BlackBerry(R) devices later in the year.

“We recognize the genius of the mobile gaming pioneers who created Astraware and welcome them to the Handmark family,” said Paul Reddick, Handmark CEO. “We share a passion for delivering superior mobile experiences.”

“For over 10 years, Astraware has successfully created some of the best mobile gaming brands in the industry, building a company through unparalleled focus on quality and customer satisfaction,” said Howard Tomlinson, co-founder and CEO of Astraware. “I am excited to be joining forces with Handmark and we will be able to focus our experience and talent on creating games across more platforms, and together we will become one of the most powerful forces in the mobile gaming industry.”

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Astraware, Astraware Casino, Windows Mobile Blog]

Windows Mobile 7 images leaked

It seems like only yesterday that we were talking about leaked screens and hacked versions of Windows Mobile 6 appearing on the web and this morning we wake up to see that Windows Mobile 7 images and specification have already been leaked.

Windows Mobile 7

WM7 is not expected to be released until the end of 2008 or the begining of 2009 but we can already see some of the new features that MS has in store for us courtesy of a leaked document mentioned on the ‘Inside Microsoft‘ website.

Looking through the details it’s is clear that WM7 is intended to be the Microsofts answer to the iPhone interface and will include ‘multitouch’ and gesture based touch screen control as well as motion based gesture control that will allow you to shake and tilt the device in order to control certain elements of the user interface.

WM7 Multitouch

WM7 Motion Detection

Windows Mobile 7 will use touch gestures, similar to how the iPhone does. You will be able to flick through lists, pan, swipe sideway, draw on the screen. A lot of emphasis has been put on making navigation easier and doing away with scrollbars, including a new scroll handle that allows for multiple ways of finding items extremely fast.

Windows Mobile 7 will use motion gestures, something the iPhone does not. It will not use an intricate and complicated series of gyroscopes and accelerometers. Instead, it will use the camera on the phone to detect motions and create appropriate actions. You will be able to shake, twist and otherwise manipulate the phone and get things done. The phone will be able to perform actions when placed face down on a surface, and it will know when it is in your pocket or bag.

Head over to ‘Inside Microsoft‘ for more info and then tell me you don’t want WM7 right now!

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Windows Mobile 7]

News from CES

I’m sure that most of you will know that CES (The Consumer Electronics Show) kicks off tomorrow morning in Las Vegas.

As always our contacts have promised to give us the latest news as soon as it breaks so I hope to have lots of news for you over the next few days.

From the CES website:

With more than four decades of success, the International CES reaches across global markets, connects the industry and enables CE innovations to grow and thrive.

The International CES is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, CES]

i-mate JAMA 101 from Devicewire

The new range of i-mate devices have just arrived at Devicewire and the i-mate JAMA 101 and the i-mate ULTIMATE 6150 are now in stock. What’s even more impressive is that Devicewire have already dropped the price of the i-mate JAMA 101 by £20 meaning that you can pick up this bad boy for just under £200!

i-mate JAMA 101

The i-mate JAMA 101 is one of the world’s most compact Pocket PC phones. The large 2.4″ touch screen is housed in a stylish jet black finish.

Just like a mini PC with a built in mobile, digital camera, and MP3 Player, the i-mate™ JAMA 101 is ready for action. The large and dynamic full colour touch screen brings your emails, documents, photos, videos and games to life.

The i-mate JAMA 101 is powered by Windows Mobile 6. With access to all the latest Microsoft® tools just one click away, you can leave your laptop at home.

i-mate JAMA 101 Specification:

You can customise your JAMA 101 to suit your unique requirements. From Today Page images and web site favourites through to email accounts, the look and feel of your JAMA 101 is completely your call.

You can look forward to seeing our review online soon.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, i-mate JAMA 101, i-mate, i-mate ULTIMATE 6150]

Site changes

We’ve recently made some site changes and those of you with displays over 1024 pixels wide should have noticed that we’ve gone widescreen!

What you wont have noticed (Hopefully!) is that all of the underlying site code has changed. It should be seamless and I don’t think anything is broken yet. The main advantage here is that it allows us to make some of the bigger changes that we have planned for later in the year.

As always, please do let me know if you notice anything strange!

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Tracy & Matt]

Happy new year & news!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy new year and all the very best for 2008. I hope there aren’t too many hangovers out there!

We also have one other announcement for you, rather off topic and nothing to do with the site as such, but I’m really excited to be able to tell you all that Tracy and I are expecting our first baby! The due date is June 12th but I’m sure that the next 6 months will just fly by.

So if anyone out there wants to send us some baby stuff to review we’d be more than happy! 😛

Before anyone asks, I wont be posting a review or unboxing video of the baby!

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, New Year, Tracy & Matt]

Astraware Annual Hogmanay Party

Join Astraware for their Annual Hogmanay Party and save on a range of great games!

Astraware would like to invite you to their Annual Hogmanay Party sale which starts today – 31st December 2007 – and runs until midnight PST on 11th January 2008!

Each day during this New Year celebration, one or two games will be offered with huge discounts. With a wide range of action, adventure, word games, puzzles, strategy and card games to choose from, there’s certain to be something for everyone. Each offer lasts for just 24 hours, changing at midnight, so make sure to check back for the new offer each day!

The first game in the Annual Hogmanay Party on Monday 31st December is the beautiful puzzler Glyph for just $9.95. To grab this, or any of the great Hogmanay offers, head over to http://www.astraware.com/promo/hogmanay08.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Astraware, Astraware Casino, Windows Mobile Blog]