News

Office Mobile on Windows Mobile 5?

One of the limitations of owning and using a Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone device is that opening and editing Word or Excel documents was impossible and you had to opt for third-party tools simply to view them. This all changes with Windows Mobile 6 Standard (WM6 Smartphone) in that the OS natively supports Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile.

So where does that leave you if you are one of the 90% of people with a WM5 device? Fear not as now so clever folks have managed to extract the required files from a release version of WM6 and bundle them all up into a cab file that will provide you with the ability to open and edit office documents on your WM5 Smartphone.

So what’s the catch? Well the bottom line is that this is a crack and it’s breaking the copyright Microsoft has on Office Mobile and is therefore illegal.

You can read more over at Tech[dot]Blog.

Posted by: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Pocket Office, E650, HTC Vox, HTC S710, SPV, Orange SPV E650]

Orange SPV E650 review delay

EDIT: Our review is now live and can be found HERE.

I’m sure many of you will have seen our Orange E650 vs HTC S710 unboxing video, we certainly had a lot of positive feedback since we started recording videos.

One question that we have been asked a lot this week is “Where’s your Orange SPV E650 review?”. Unfortunately we do not have an E650 of our own at the moment. The devices in the unboxing video were kindly on loan from Clove Technology. There is, once again, a shortage of the new devices and as a consequence, Orange have been unable to provide us with one that we can use long enough to review.

We are hoping to get our hands on an E650 this coming week so we’ll get a review online just as soon as we can!

If anyone has a spare E650 then please get in touch!

Posted by: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Orange, E650, HTC Vox, HTC S710, SPV, Orange SPV E650]

O2 annouce the Blackberry Curve

O2 and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of the new BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphone in the UK. The smallest and lightest full QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone, the BlackBerry Curve from O2 delivers the proven and popular BlackBerry smartphone experience – with a 2 megapixel camera, enhanced media player and microSD memory expansion slot – in one easy to use handset.

O2 offers a wide range of compelling data tariffs for users to take full advantage of the BlackBerry Curve and BlackBerry service. O2’s Unlimited tariffs* on both the BlackBerry® Internet Service and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server enable customers to access email, web browsing and instant messaging for a fixed monthly price. Alternatively users can select O2’s unique Pay as You Use option for the BlackBerry Internet Service, which is ideal for lighter data usage.

O2 customers can take advantage of these flexible data prices when using the enhanced multimedia functions of the BlackBerry Curve. Featuring a 2 mega pixel camera with built-in flash and 5X digital zoom, the BlackBerry Curve includes enhancements such as a full screen viewfinder and a nightmode indicator enabling the camera to automatically adjust to dark environments. Users can choose to send their pictures using MMS, BlackBerry email or BlackBerry® Messenger or simply transfer them to a desktop computer over USB or Bluetooth® 2.0 technology. The BlackBerry Curve also provides enhanced multimedia features with a new BlackBerry desktop media manager that makes it simple to transfer, convert and manage media files.

In addition to its exciting new multimedia capabilities and a new integrated spell checker, the BlackBerry Curve also features renowned BlackBerry smartphone functionality such as push-based wireless email with attachment viewing, Internet browsing, organiser and instant messaging. With trackball navigation and a large ultra-bright display with built in light sensing technology, the BlackBerry Curve offers an unrivalled mobile experience.

For international users, the BlackBerry Curve offers quad-band functionality, supported by a battery life of up to 17 days standby and 4 hours talk time, plus voice activated dialling for quickly making important calls.

“The BlackBerry Curve is a great addition to the range of popular BlackBerry smartphones already available through O2,” said Phil Ledward, Head of Data Marketing at O2. “The enhanced multimedia features, and small and lightweight design of this all-in-one handset will appeal to both the business and individual user.”

“The BlackBerry Curve is the ideal tool for anyone that wants to stay connected to their work and play, but will not compromise on performance and ease of use. It combines a proven and popular user experience and iconic QWERTY keyboard with a stylish design and impressive multimedia features,” said Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA at RIM.”

Posted By:Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, O2, Blackberry, Blackberry Curve]

Orange announce flat rate internet!

Today Orange announced plans to launch its new flat rate pricing for data, making it easier for users to understand the costs involved when browsing the mobile internet.

From June, five new bundles, starting from just £1, mean both Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go customers can browse safe in the knowledge they will know exactly how much they will pay.

The five different pricing bundles are:
Orange Pay Monthly

Orange Pay As You Go

so put in place a price cap for customers who don’t sign up to a bundle. These customers will be able to browse the mobile internet as they do now, but will only be charged up to a maximum of £1.50 per day (Pay Monthly) or £2.00 (Pay As You Go).

Furthermore, all Orange customers will now have free access to their own personalised Orange World homepage, as well as news headlines and favourites. Customers will also benefit from free mobile internet searches and can browse the full catalogue of downloadable video, games, music and ring tones for free. If they see something they like while browsing, they pay just for the download, not the download traffic or any other hidden data charges. They can also make use of the Orange Local service for free throughout the summer (July – September inclusive), letting them know where they are and what they can get up to with information on restaurants, bars and local services.

Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke, Vice President Mobile & Convergence for Orange, says “Our new pricing structure makes it easy for our customers to understand exactly what they are getting and for how long when they access the mobile internet. Customers can get access to the web on the move, without the fear of being caught out by any hidden charges.”

Posted By: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): GPRS, 3G, wireless, Unlimited data, Orange, Tracy & Matt]

O2 announce XDA Argon

O2 today announces that it is adding to its Xda portfolio with the launch of the O2 Xda Argon. The Argon looks like being the O2 version of the HTC Panda/HTC P6300. Here is the O2 press release:

Powered by Windows Mobile® 5.0 platform and featuring Microsoft® direct-push email, the Xda Argon provides quick reliable internet access and familiar easy-to-use Microsoft Office applications, making it the ideal tool for busy mobile professionals.

Building upon the success of previous Xdas, the device offers key features for both corporates and SMEs. Boasting a large 3.5 inch colour touch screen and with no moving parts or keyboard, the O2 Xda Argon is a robust, compact PDA perfect for deploying business applications on the move. The large colour screen also makes reading documents and data entry fast and simple.

Additionally, users benefit from seamless synchronisation with Outlook® and the ability to open, edit and send Microsoft Office Excel® Mobile and Word Mobile attachments quickly and easily as well as viewing existing presentations using Powerpoint.

The device also features a 2.0 mega pixel camera, including video capability and MP3 player, enabling users to watch their favourite videos or downloads on the large colour screen wherever they are. In addition, Bluetooth® support allows integration with car kits and hands-free headsets.

The optional accessory of the award winning CoPilot® Live satellite navigation software and Bluetooth GPS receiver makes the Xda Argon the ultimate business tool for the mobile professional.

For international users, the Xda Argon offers tri-band functionality, supported by a battery life of up to 200 hours standby and up to 4 hours talk time for making all those important calls.

Tim Weston, Head of Marketing for Xda at O2 says; “The introduction of the new O2 Xda Argon is yet another example of our commitment to our customers. Its robust, compact design makes the O2 Xda Argon the perfect device to compliment any modern lifestyle and provides a cost effective business tool for customers who want all the functionality of a PDA, with a large screen and no keyboard.”

O2 XDA Argon Specification

Posted by: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, O2, O2 XDA Argon, HTC Panda, HTC P6300]

Orange Simplifies Pay As You Go

Orange today reveals its new look talk Pay As You Go range, which will make being a customer much more simple by offering flat rates, added value and great rewards. Launching today, the all-new Orange Speak Easy plan guarantees customers that it will cost them a flat rate of 15p a minute to call almost anyone on any network at any time.

Orange will also launch Reserve Tank, a £2.50 overdraft facility that makes it possible for Orange PAYG customers to make that essential call even after they have used all of their pre-paid credit. Orange is the first UK operator to offer its customers with such a Pay As You Go overdraft facility.

The changes to Orange Pay As You Go talk plans follows qualitative research among UK mobile phone users, citing loyalty rewards, better call rates to other networks and flat, easy-to-understand pricing as the most important factors when they choose their mobile network. To meet customers’ loyalty requirements, Orange is also changing the way customers redeem Magic Numbers, which discounts calls to their most frequently-called contacts. Now Pay As You Go customers can nominate three numbers when they join Orange rather than just one. Calls to Magic Numbers cost 15p for a whole hour.

Orange will also continue its new training programme for Orange store staff and independent retailers that sell Orange Pay As You Go phones and SIMs. Store staff will take part in the ‘Perfect Pitch’, providing them with the information they need to make customers’ choice of Pay As You Go talk plan simpler. Focused around three easy-to-understand pillars, the pitch will introduce customers to the new Speak Easy flat rate then explain the added value Orange customers get, such as Orange Wednesdays, Magic Numbers and Gigs and Tours. Finally, sales advisors will remind customers of the benefits of the ever-popular Bonus Top Up reward. Orange will also promote the new products on television, radio, outdoor and press over the next few months.

Pippa Dunn, Director of Pay As You Go, Orange UK said, “Customers have been telling us that they have yet to find a Pay As You Go plan that offers the right combination of value for money, rewards and simple pricing. The combined launch of Speak Easy, Reserve Tank and changes to our rewards will show our commitment to making it simpler for our customers to stay in touch.”

Posted By: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): Pay As You Go, PAYG, wireless, Orange, Tracy & Matt]

Samsung i600 now on Orange

We have have been talking about the Samsung i600 a lot lately and today we discovered that the device is now available on Orange, much sooner than expected!

I’ve been using the Samsung i600 for a few weeks now and have to say that it’s become the main device that I use and finally I’m back to smartphone after being a Windows Mobile PPC man for the past few years! I really like the i600.

We are hoping to get our hands on the Orange version of the i600 soon so that we can see what the difference is between the two. The Orange version looks more grey than black and I assume that MSN will be MIA again?!

Samsung SGH-i600 Specification

See for yourself on the Orange Website or check out our Samusung i600 video.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tags: smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Samsung SGH-i600, Orange, Samsung Windows Mobile blog]

Pocket Live TV 1.0 released

Makayama introduces Pocket Live TV 1.0, software that allows you to watch 100 live TV channels on your Windows Mobile phone.

Watch 100 channels from 10 countries live on your Pocket PC phone. With Pocket Live TV, your phone becomes a portable TV. Watch your favorite channels right in the palm of your hand.

Watch live TV from the U.S., U.K. Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands and other countries. So whatever you would’ve watched on the sofa, you can watch elsewhere instead. In the room next door, down the pub, or on the beach a thousand miles away. Take your favourite tv-series, talkshow, sport events or news programs with you on your portable device.

The most affordable way to get your television content in your pocket. No subscription, no bundled data-plan, just a one-time purchase of software.

Includes top news channels * , such as CNN, BBC, Sky News, Deutsche Welle and NBC. Music channels, such as MTV, Ministry of Sound and 3for12. Sports channels such the Baseball Channel, Eurosport and Sportbox. Get the latest weather forecast from the Weather Channel. And tens of general news and entertainment channels.

The channels are all broadcast over-the-internet, so if you have WiFi on you device, you can watch them for free, without data charges. Go to any Starbucks or free WiFi hotspot and watch free TV on your phone. It also works with UMTS, WCDMA, EVDO, EDGE and other wideband enabled Pocket PCs. Check out the free demo to see which channels from your country are available. Works on any Pocket PC (phone) with a WiFi or 3G connection.

You can learn more HERE.

Posted By: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): GPRS, 3G, wireless, Live TV, Makayama, Tracy & Matt]

Play-Off on the UK’s first video “gameshow” for mobiles

Orange has developed the first service of its kind to offer the nation’s wanabees and extroverts a platform to pit their unique and bizarre talents against one another other.

Play-Off has been designed specifically for the mobile phone – so it doesn’t matter if you’re on a bus, out with mates, on the factory floor or in the office – the competition lets you take part.

How it works:

The British public’s love of the game show format has run for many years – so, whether you look at X Factor, Dancing on Ice or even the Generation Game with a longing to have a go, or just have fun watching and voting on participants – Play-Off gives you the chance to get involved.

Challenge categories for launch include Face-off, giving those who think they are the sexiest person alive a chance to prove it, Dance-off, for those with the craziest dance moves to let loose and finally Weird-off for, well, the weirdest stuff!

“It’s all about fun and spontaneity” said Deborah Tonroe, Head of TV and Video at Orange. “Many of our customers love taking and sharing videos with their mobile phones, and many more can’t resist the opportunity to watch and vote in shows like this. We’re expecting 1000’s of viewers to watch and vote on the first competitions – so it’s perfect for anyone who fancies 15 seconds of fame!”

Play-Off is being produced for Orange by IMP Media, a company specialising in multimedia services combining mobile, internet and TV. Tony Cuthbertson, Director of IMP Media, said: “Play-Off picks up on a number of big trends in television and the internet and adds the spontaneous interactivity of the mobile phone to create something that’s completely new and fresh.”

You can find out what it’s all about by visiting Orange World on your mobile or by going to orange.co.uk. To be the next star of Play-Off, simply submit your clip at orange.co.uk or send it by MMS to (7469).

Posted By: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): GPRS, 3G, wireless, Unlimited data, Orange, Tracy & Matt]