Sunday, February 11, 2007

Microsoft Reveals Windows Mobile 6

Microsoft today unveiled Windows Mobile 6, the newest version of its mobile software platform. By improving usability and adding support for Microsoft Office features previously available only on PCs, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 delivers to the small screen a familiar experience that meets the needs of work and life while on the go.

Windows Mobile 6 can view emails in their original HTML format with live links to Web and SharePoint sites, which means text and images are displayed as they would be on a PC, and are available from a corporate email server such as Exchange Server 2007, from Web-based accounts such as Windows Live Hotmail or from other popular service providers. Windows Mobile 6 also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides customers with Windows Live services. For example, now through Windows Live Messenger, people can chat with more than one person at one time, express themselves through animated figures, quickly send a file or image, or record and send voice notes.

The newest version of the platform offers a Microsoft Office system experience in the mobile versions of Office Outlook, Office Word, Office Excel and Office PowerPoint by bringing capabilities once available only on the PC versions of these products to the small screen. This allows users to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting, without affecting tables, images or text, and to view PowerPoint presentations on their device.

All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date email delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. Windows Mobile 6 also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.

By the second quarter of this year, the world will see the first Windows Mobile 6 powered devices available on the market. In the United States, the popular T-Mobile Dash will be updated with Windows Mobile 6 and be available in the coming months. Current T-Mobile Dash owners will also be able to upgrade existing devices with Windows Mobile 5.0 to Windows Mobile 6.

Additional mobile operators and device makers, including Cingular, now the new AT&T, HP, LG Electronics, Motorola, Palm, Samsung, Sprint and Verizon Wireless, plan to ship Windows Mobile 6-based devices this year. Many of these partners are expanding large existing portfolios of Windows Mobile powered smartphones.

Users of the Microsoft Office system on the PC will feel right at home with the new mobile versions of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint available for Windows Mobile 6 powered devices. Windows Mobile 6 addresses extensive user feedback and makes information management easier and more convenient through the following improvements:

- Better-looking email - Users view email the way it was intended with its original pictures, tables and formatting, whether from a corporate email server such as Exchange Server 2007, Web-based accounts such as Windows Live Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail, or a wide range of other service providers.

- Ease of viewing and editing of Office system documents - The new Office Mobile suite, built for all Windows Mobile powered devices, gives users a familiar experience with rich viewing and editing capabilities, without having to worry about the deletion of critical formatting and images.

- Email management and setup with fewer clicks - Nine new one-click options have been added, including Reply All, setting a flag, moving a message to a subfolder, and, of course, Delete. Users can set an automatic out-of-office reply while on the road when using a Windows Mobile 6 powered device and Exchange Server 2007.

- Synchronization with Windows Vista - Windows Vista and the Windows Mobile Device Center take the guesswork out of managing a device and swapping music, pictures, movies and Outlook information between PC and the device.

- Smart calendar bar - This innovative new feature gives users the ability to understand at a glance the day or week ahead and quickly determine open time on their schedules. With Exchange Server 2007, they can see who is attending a meeting and forward or reply to meeting requests.

- Web search, email, instant messaging (IM) and blogging all together - Windows Live for Windows Mobile will provide customers with a rich set of services including Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, Live Search and Windows Live Spaces, designed to work with Windows Mobile software. Users can also find all their contacts in one unified list and see presence information on their Windows Live Messenger contacts.

- Contacts with context - Call history is now placed where it belongs, in each individual contact card, so people spend less time searching and more time communicating.

Windows Mobile efficiently works with existing Microsoft business technology investments and offers users a familiar software experience, making it the smartest mobile solution for businesses to deploy:

- Security options - The platform offers a variety of security options, giving IT departments ways to help secure a device, including new Exchange Server policies and certificate options, storage card encryption, and continued support for remote and local device wipe.

- Protected content - Organizations using Information Rights Management (IRM) technology to help control the viewing, storing and printing of confidential information on PCs can now extend those capabilities to Windows Mobile 6 powered devices, a feature not available on any other mobile phone platform.

- Line-of-business applications - Powerful, new mobile versions of the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework and Microsoft SQL Server are built into Windows Mobile 6, making it even easier to create and access sales tools, inventory tracking and many other applications from a Windows Mobile 6 powered smartphone.

- Internet sharing - A new built-in application makes using a Windows Mobile 6 powered smartphone as a laptop's high-speed modem "one-click easy" with either a Bluetooth wireless or cable connection.

- Communication alternatives - Windows Mobile 6 makes it easier for operators and device-makers to integrate a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) solution into devices they are building. HP will be among the first to provide smartphones with new VoIP offerings for their business customers.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Motorola V3 SIM Free: Slim elegance

With consumers changing behaviour, mobile phones are changing its shape, size and features. Slim phone are now much in demand. A slim phone with advanced features is what everyone looks. Motorola has introduced some slim and sleek phones in its RAZR category. The Motorola V3 is one of the most popular RAZR phones in the mobile market. It is one of the thinnest phones from Motorola at 13.99 mm. Motorola has taken good care in designing of this phone. From its aluminium finish to the stylish keypad – each and every part of the phone has been designed with great care and that's why it looks striking.

Despite its slim size, the Motorola V3 comes with excellent features as compared to its counterparts. The external screen displays some relevant information including incoming calls, battery life, signal strength, etc. The inner internal screen at 262,000 colour TFT display provides good interface to view menus and texts. Shooting pictures is another good experience with the Motorola V3.

With an integrated VGA camera with up to 4x digital zoom, video playback – you can capture still as well as motion pictures. Though, you cannot expect good picture quality but VGA camera is good for video recording. The phone comes with polyphonic ringtones and MP3 ringtones, MOTOMIXER – you can compose your own tunes and personalize your phone.

The quad-band phone comes with latest features including WAP, GPRS, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. With mobile internet, you can browse the net, send and receive emails and keep you updated with the latest news and information.

The Motorola V3 is an excellent phone. With its cutting-edge design and good specifications, the phone gives a real pleasure. Motorola V3 SIM free phones are available in the UK market. SIM free phones are very much in demand as these are independent of any networks. You can attach with any of the networks and stay connected whenever and wherever you go.

Motorola V3 Sim Free Phone Reviews

Mobile Phone Reviews

Finding The Right Cell Phone

Ten years ago, cell phones were just beginning to appear. Today, it seems every person on the street has one. However, not all cell phones are equal. How do you find the best one?

Ask yourself what qualities are important to you. First, the physical aspects. Do you prefer flat cell phones or those with a flip? Are slim cell phones more attractive, or does size really matter?

Cell phones seem to come in all shapes and sizes, and color can also be a determining factor. Have you seen the changeable covers? Who knew cell phones would become such a fashion statement?

A critical factor to consider is ring tones. Some cell phones come with standard rings that could drive anyone crazy. Others have downloadable tones, letting you show off your taste and personality. If you've ever been on a crowded train where six cell phones started ringing at once, you know how important it is to have the pleasant ring tone. No one wants to draw negative attention.

Cell phones have all sorts of new features, and they keep improving. Some cell phones allow you to take pictures. Other cell phones give you internet access on the road. And like most technology, there are new improvements made on a weekly basis. Remember that you'll be paying for these features; make sure you'll use them before you spend the money.

Manufacturers of cell phones have done extensive research to find out what is important to you, the buyer. The carrier, though, is also important to consider. What good are cell phones, after all, if you can't get service? Find out who in your area has the widest service and the best rate plan.

Most of us have become spoiled by our cell phones. It's hard to remember the days when no one could reach you until you got home from class or from work. Cell phones have opened up our lines of communication considerably. (Sometimes it's questionable whether that's a good thing….) The fact is, it looks like cell phones are here to stay. Is it possible anymore to escape? Of course! The best thing about cell phones is that you can use them when you need them, but sometimes the best cell phones are the ones that are turned off.

About The Author

Jeff Lakie is the founder of http://www.cell-phone-companies.info and http://www.cell-phone-covers.info websites providing information on cell phones and cell phone deals

Personal Tracking Devices In Cell Phones?

Cell phones have come a long way – regardless of whether you’re a business person or stay-at-home mom, having a cell phone with you is no longer a privilege – it’s a NECESSITY. In this modern technology age, the cell phone has progressed from being just your average communication device. The cell phone is now also a personal organizer, diary, calculator, timer, alarm clock, emailing device, faxing equipment, news reporter, etc.

In times of emergency, a cell phone can and will definitely prove to be a life-saver and 14-year-old Kelly Emerson can attest to that. Getting lost in a jungle is no fun for the teen. But thanks to her careful and wary mom, Kelly took a cell phone with her and when she got lost in the jungle, the cell phone she had with her saved her life. Within 3 hours, they found her hanging to her cell phone and praying. Wet, crying, hungry – but safe!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently suggested that communication companies work harder to incorporate a location pinpointing device and technology on cell phones so that call receivers can check the location of the caller in times of emergency. For people like Kelly Emerson, the cell phone saved her life – but with an advancement of technology, the caller or owner of the cell phone may not even need to be awake or conscious in order for others to detect their location. Well, there are pros and cons to that kind of technology, and currently, this recommendation has come under fire and is under a lot of debate today. People are not keen on turning their cell phones into personal tracking devices because of very obvious reasons – it’s a form of intrusion into their personal lives. And instead of saving lives, cell phones with this ability may even become a threat. Let’s say, a murderous husband is trying to track down a runaway wife and is able to detect her location via her cell phone.

While individuals are quite confused about this new cell phone technology, large corporations are more than happy to welcome this new cell phone technological advancement. Imagine…with this personal tracking device installed into their customers’ cell phones, companies can locate the customers via their cell phones. If the customer is within the vicinity of their outlet, they can instantly send messages or make calls to that customer!

However, telecommunication companies are stumped on whether this new cell phone feature should be incorporated into future cell phones. Like the Internet, privacy is a huge problem. Personal information is big in the data-mining business, but so is privacy.

We’ll just have to see how far cell phone companies are willing to go to make their bucks!

About The Author

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.cellphone-source.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

The Samsung Blackjack SGH-i607

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of the samsung blackjack phone, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of the samsung blackjack phone.

Samsung Blackjack

Samsung has a long-standing reputation for innovation, and this month they’ve really outdone themselves. Between the new Chinese Smartphone (Samsung i718 unveiled at the Hong Kong ITU Telecom World Expo), the Samsung Blackjack (SGH-i607, from Cingular) and the SPH-B5800 with real-time traffic reporting (released in Korea this week), Samsung is proving why innovation is their middle name. The traffic phone (with GPS) and the Chinese Smartphone won’t be available in the U.S. for a while, but the Blackjack was released in mid-November. Take a look at some of its best features.

Samsung SGH-i607 – The Blackjack
If you’re in the U.S., you’ve probably seen the ads for the Blackjack by now. They’re pretty, sleek and sexy, just like the phone itself. In one, a set of hands shuffles five of the wafer-thin phones, folding them into each other and fanning them as easily as a professional dealer would a deck of cards. In another, a guy plugs in to his headset as he steps into the supermarket, turning his shopping trip into a surreal musical safari. Pretty, sleek and sexy – the ads and the phone. The Blackjack, also known as the SGH-i607, is Samsung’s latest entry into the thin Smartphone sweepstakes, and it is – at this writing anyway – the thinnest yet at 4.4 x 2 x .6”. It features a full QWERTY keyboard for easy messaging and productivity, 3G capability for web browsing, streaming media and downloading games, and a suite of productivity tools that make it easier for you to keep up on things from the road.

Phone Features
It’s not unusual for cell phones to do a lot more than make phone calls these days, but the Blackjack does it (just about) all, and nearly all of it very well. Call quality is generally excellent, even on speaker phone, and connectivity is excellent. The Blackjack is fully compatible with Bluetooth and has the capability to transmit data at up to 14.4mbps for streaming applications and file transfers. Phone features include speakerphone, 3-way and conference calling, caller ID, MP3 ringtones, and an address book that’s only limited by physical space available.

So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about the samsung blackjack phone. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Music and Streaming Capabilities
The Blackjack supports Cingular’s Video and Music service, so you can listen to XM radio, watch video clips and enjoy streamed music and video. You can also import your favorite audio and video files from your personal library in a wide range of supported formats, including MP3, WMA, AAC, WMV and MPEG-4 using the MicroSD card. Who needs an MP3 player when you’ve got one of these?

Camera and Video
The built in 1.3 megapixel camera features a 2X zoom lens and video capability. You can shoot stills in resolutions up to 1280x960, and have a variety of editing and enhancement options, including silly frames and effects. The video selection isn’t quite as wide, but the quality is among the best for camera phones, with almost no pixilation.


OS and Productivity
Blackjack runs Windows Mobile Smartphone edition, where the focus is on productivity and communication. Instead of the MS Office Mobile Suite, you get the Picsel Viewer Suite which allows you to download and view, but not edit, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and PDF files. The OS also includes calendar, task list, contact list, note taker, calculator, stopwatch, world clock and voice recorder. When it comes to communication, though, you get a full range of services – email through Outlook, support for POP3, IMAP and SMTP as well as web browsing for web-based email, AOL, MSN and Yahoo Instant Messaging, and text and multimedia messaging. The biggest disappointment – no integrated WiFi, so unless you’re in Cingular’s 3G network, you’re out of luck on that count.

Design
First, the good news. At .6”, the Blackjack is definitely in the running as an ultra-thin phone. The sleek, all-black case is drop-dead sexy, and the soft touch finish makes the phone easy to hold and handle. The 2.25” display is a bit smaller than the Blackjack’s closest competitors – the Q and the Dash – but the colors are bright, crisp and clear, giving it great readability and outstanding delivery for graphics and video. The navigation innovations include a thumb-wheel and a back button on the side for easier navigation, and the full QWERTY keyboard is nicely backlit so that it’s easy to use even in low light situations.

The bad news is that those pluses come with a few drawbacks. The slimmer design means less room and smaller buttons on the keyboard, making it a bit more difficult to type. The navigation keys are slippery and a bit close together, and it’s easy to accidentally hit End when what you meant to do was scroll to the right. Perhaps the biggest design and usability flaw, however, is Samsung’s decision to use a proprietary port rather than a standard mini-USB. That limits some of your choices, making it impossible to use a mini-USB adapter for charging, or a standard 2.5mm headset.

There's no doubt that the topic of the samsung blackjack phone can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about the samsung blackjack phone, you may find what you're looking for in the next article.

The technical specs on this samsung phone can be found at your consumer electronics.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

How To Choose a Cell Phone

Considering the innumerable varieties of cell phones in the market, it is quite a challenging task to choose the best one. However, the basic criterion of selecting the best cell phone is to be absolutely clear about what your needs are. The best cellular phone is the one that is absolutely right for you. And, of course, you can only have the best cellular phone when you pay for what you want.

Tons of offers are also available. There are free cellular telephone offers, prepaid cellular, digital, mobile, web enabled and many more. No one can tell you which cell phone is best for you because every one has different needs when it comes to their cellular telephone. Some people want absolutely basic features while others want a lot of totally fantastic features. Some need a cellular telephone for e-mail, faxing and surfing the Internet. Many people want it to be top of the line while others prefer simplicity.

The process of buying a cell phone is so confusing. There are simply so many different handsets, networks, deals and call costs to consider that buying the right phone for your usage and budget can be very difficult.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the best cell phone. First of all, decide how much you want to spend and be clear on the features you need. Remember that the more the features, the higher the cost.

Purchase a battery with a decent battery life and judge the mobile phone by the talk time it gives. The bare minimum should be 2 hours of maximum talk-time plus 90 hours of maximum standby time.

Shop and compare for pricing and service. These days, quality phones are very cheap. There is a proliferation of cell phone makers including Nokia, Motorola, Ericson, Siemens, Samsung, Sony, etc. More importantly, cellular plans have come down enormously in overall price with some caveats.

Some standard features include caller ID, phone book with fast dial, call waiting, voice mail and auto-answering. Some also have other added features like your first incoming minute free. The high-end cell phones will have voice-a ctivated dialing, SMS, 2-way paging, games, scheduling calendars, digital organizer and all the standard features. The main thing is to see what fits into your life style best and also to be sure when and if the features expire.

While making a cell phone and service plan decision, remember that everybody's needs are different. So what's good for your friend may not be the best choice for you. Your best bet would be to search online for websites with good cell phone comparisons in order to get a quality cell phone offer.

To make sure that your cell phone comparisons are complete look at Nokia cell phones, Ericsson cell phones, Sprint cell phones, Motorola cell phones and Samsung cell phones. Research the different free cell phone offers, prepaid cell phones and service plans