Phones

Microsoft to follow in the steps of Google and Apple?

Looking at a recent job post found on Computerjob.com it is suggested that Microsoft will be following hot on the heals of the recently launched $30 million Apple iPhone app store and the future release of Google’s Android App Store, with their own app store named "Skymarket". The job post indicates that the  Skymarket senior product manager will head a team that will "drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile".

This announcement could only be considered as fantastic news for the end customer as each of the major device manufacturers now go out on a limb to better each other, desperate to provide the best content and hardware to rival the massive iPhone market.

With the Apple store already launched and the HTC Dream coming soon (which should signal the Android App Store launch), the question on everyone’s lips though should be, "is this too little to late?" as the expected launch of this new app store is sometime in 2009 with the launch of WM7.

It should be an interesting few months ahead as the battle heats up and the consumers are really given a chance to see what their hard earned cash is going towards.

Posted by: John

Sony Ericsson state Xperia on course for Q4 2008

Sony Ericsson ditched on Monday rumors that its first phone powered by Microsoft’s operating system would miss the key Christmas sales period. Sony Ericsson introduced the Xperia 1 model in February, saying it would start to sell the phone in the second half of 2008 in selected markets. On Monday, and over the weekend, several technology blogs reported of delays in product roll out, quoting rumors and unnamed sources at Sony Ericsson. "There is absolutely no delay. The product is on track," Sony Ericsson spokeswoman Merran Wrigley said. "We have said it will roll out in Q4 and we are on target to do that."

O2 Xda Ignito (HTC Diamond) available on O2

The O2 incarnation of the HTC Diamond known as the XDA Ignito is now available to order via O2’s online store. The phone is available from free to £199.00 depending on what value contract you sign up for. They describe it as an upgrade to all its predecessors. This Smart phone gives you full internet browsing with Google maps and you tube, windows mobile with Pocket Office, 4GB of internal memory, a 3.2 Megapixel camera with a 2.8 inch high resolution screen with tilt sensors and can even accommodate motion based games.You can order or take a look at it at the O2 site right here.

iPhone 3G Pay and Go September 16th

O2 have just announced the availability of the iPhone 3G on it’s Pay & Go network deal from the 16th September. Pay & Go customers can now enjoy the iPhone 3G without a monthly contract. The new iPhone 3G 8GB for Pay & Go will be available for £349.99 and the 16GB version for £399.99. This also includes unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi for the first 12 months after you activate your iPhone 3G. At the end of the 12 months you can continue to receive unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi for just £10 per month.

Kimona Play review by Mobility Today

Kinoma Play has been getting a lot of coverage recently, mainly because it claims to provide one of the things that Windows Mobile sadly lacks, a decent interface to your media. Well Mobility Today have posted another review which is a great read complete some screen shots and a video of the software in action. As more people are starting to use this software we are beginning to see a few complaints on compatibility with various video formats and start up times due to indexing your media each time. Nothing that can’t be fixed in the future with updates I am sure. Part of the review is after the break.

HTC Dream Aka G1 revealed in glorious spy photos

OK so, we’ve seen some blurry videos and managed a few stolen glimpses of this new handset, but now we’ve gotten our hands on a slew of pictures showing off a very real T-Mobile-branded Dream in all its Android-running glory. Not only does this confirm the design spied in those FCC docs as well as show off that nearly-done version of Android, but it seems to confirm the fact that this will be headed to T-Mobile, and sooner rather than later judging from the looks of the device.

Posted by: John

Microsoft readying apps store for Windows Mobile?

It looks as though Microsoft is joining Apple and Google in the mobile "apps store" market. It appears the software giant expects to launch an applications store called "Skymarket" this fall for its Windows Mobile platform, if a recent job posting spotted by Long Zheng at Istartedsomething.com is accurate. According to the ad posted Sunday on Computerjob.com, the Skymarket senior product manager will head a team that will "drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile."

Egress RSS Reader Quietly Updated to Version 4.0.2

One application I used some time ago was Egress. I liked it a great deal however the E-Ten M600 I was using it on didn’t seem too stable when the application was running with a full load. Now they have updated to a whopping v4.0.2 and given the features I will be encouraged to look again.

Lenovo IdeaPad U8: The MID sibling of the S9, S10 Netbooks

Aside from the IdeaPad S9 and S10 netbooks, Lenovo has also launched a new ultra-portable MID called the IdeaPad U8. It runs on an Atom Z500 800MHz processor that’s complemented by a 1GB RAM, a 4.8-inch touch screen, 6GB SSD, Bluetooth, GPS, WiFI, rear and front video camera, EDGE, 3G, CMMB tuner (China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting), and a Linux OS. The U8 was unveiled during the recently concluded Olympics, thus the rationale behind the Olympic-themed rear design.

HTC Dream in pictures

Phone Report have posted some nice pictures of the HTC Dream. Interestingly the device here is still white yet all talk seems to be of the device being released in black, perhaps this will be an exclusive to a network. Pictures after the break.