HTC Touch Diamond
HTC is first to bring a 3/3.5G touch device to market. The Touch Diamond is a very small and light smartphone with an ultra-high resolution screen, an elegant 3-D user interface sitting on top of Windows Mobile 6.1, a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS, and 4GB of storage for music, pictures and video. Our sister siteHHCMag.com examined HTC's latest and compared its specs side-by-side with the iPhone. [Read description of the HTC Touch Diamond] -- Posted Tuesday, May 6, 2008 by chb

Datalogic Pegaso now with Windows Mobile 6 and E-GPRS
Datalogic announced that its Pegaso compact industrial PDA is now available with Windows Mobile 6 and optional E-GPRS (GSM/GPRS/EDGE). The IP64-rated device has a full VGA 480 x 640 3.7-inch display, a center-mounted Class II laser scanner and an optional magnetic stripe reader. The upgrade enhances the Pegaso in applications where users need to access their enterprise network when outside the four wallls, such as mobile POS, route sales, direct store delivery, and parcel delivery. Datalogic Pegaso] -- Posted Monday, May 5, 2008 by chb

How to create a lean, mean, and clean Windows Mobile machine
Time for Spring cleaning on that Windows Mobile device of yours, Dt. Tim says! See How to create a lean, mean, and clean Windows Mobile machine! -- Posted Thursday, May 1, 2008 by chb

Full review: HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion
Our first impression of HP's iPAQ 310 Travel Companion was very good. It has a large 4.3-inch display with very high 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 2GB of Flash, a SD Card slot, a snazzy interface sitting on top of Windows Mobile, and in addition to navigation, it plays games, lets you view pictures and video, listen to music, and you can use it as a handsfree speakerphone with your Bluetooth cellphone. In real world use, however, we ran into some snags and found there can be too much of a good thing (like icons). [Read full review of the HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion] -- Posted Monday, April 28, 2008 by chb

Socket offers Windows Mobile 6 for SoMo 650 handheld
Socket announced that support for Windows Mobile 6 Classic will be available on the Socket Mobile SoMo 650 handheld computer as of May 1, 2008. Available as an option to new customers or as an upgrade to existing customers, Windows Mobile 6 Classic will deliver advanced mobile communications capabilities to SoMo 650 users, improving overall mobile productivity. -- Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2008 by chb

Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
At CTIA, Microsoft announced Windows Mobile 6.1. Among the benefits: texting that looks like instant messging; improved browsing with zoom and overview; simpler email and Bluetooth setup, and easier WiFi connection; a new "Getting Started" center; better security; more personal settings; and a new home screen interface. [See Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1 page] -- Posted Thursday, April 3, 2008 by chb

SMS-Chat revisited
When we first tried SMS-Chat we were enthusiastic about it because it was fun, flashy, and new. We also liked the finger scrollable screens. But, after having used it now for a while, our Tim Hillebrand is developing a wish list for the next version of this Windows Mobile SMS messenger that organizes your SMS correspondence into threaded SMS conversations. [Read SMS-Chat Revisited] -- Posted Monday, March 24, 2008 by chb

Unitech lineup of durable and rugged data collection PDAs and terminals

We've added the Unitech lineup of durable and rugged point-of-sale and data collection handhelds. Unitech, a Taiwanese company, has almost 30 years of experience in data collection handhelds with integrated laser scanners, imagers, and RFID readers. Read description and full specs of the enterprise PDA Unitech PA500, the somewhat more rugged Unitech PA600, the rugged Unitech PA966/967 with a 36-key keyboard, the very rugged Unitech PA982 that can handle extreme temperatures and full immersion, and RFID reader Unitech RH767. All unit's are Windows Mobile or Windows CE-based. -- Posted Saturday, March 22, 2008 by chb

SPB Plus or Shell: that is the question
Spb Software has two excellent Today screen launcher type programs with a great deal of overlap. Which should you choose to enhance your pocket pal? [Read Tim's thoughts on SPB Software's launcher programs] -- Posted Tuesday, March 18, 2008 by chb

AstroNavigator v2.01
What I would have given for AstroNavigator when I was earning my Boy Scout Astronomy Merit Badge. With Astronavigator on board and hooked up to a satellite feed, you just face in any direction, and a picture of the heavens will appear on your screen. [Read Tim's review of AstroNavigator v2.01] -- Posted Monday, March 17, 2008 by chb

SPB Weather Release 1.7.4
Spb Weather is clearly one of the top weather programs available for Windows Mobile devices. If you are already a user, you will want to take advantage of this free upgrade. Otherwise, you may wish to check it out and add it to your bag of tricks. [Read review of SPB Weather 1.7.4] -- Posted Thursday, March 13, 2008 by chb

SPB Mobile Shell 2.0
There’s a whole host of new features in the latest release of SPB Mobile Shell. It seemed to me that it hasn’t been that long since it first appeared on my Windows Mobile screen, but I guess it was actually a year ago this month. How time flies when you’re having fun with your pocket pals. [Read review of SPB Mobile Shell 2.0] -- Posted Monday, March 10, 2008 by chb

Dual personality rugged military smartphone
Though it looks a bit like it, the Sectéra Edge by General Dynamics is not your average Blackberry clone. Instead, it is a SME-PED — a Secure Mobile Environment Portable Electronic Device. The Windows Mobile-based device was specifically developed for the National Security Agency's SME-PED program and is certified by the NSA. It's fully rugged and can be operated both in classified and unclassified mode. [See description and specs of the General Dynamics Sectéra Edge] -- Posted Thursday, March 6, 2008 by chb

Casio's tiny DT-X7 industrial handheld
Weighing just over five ounces, Casio's DT-X7 industrial handheld data entry and collection terminal fits anywhere. It's an ergonomically designed, Marvell XPA270-powered marvel with an integrated imager and a handy 29-key keypad. The DT-X7 is IP54-sealed and can handle three foot drops, making it perfect for any number of warehousing and inventory applications. It has a 2.4-inch QVGA LCD, runs Windows CE 5.0 and won a prestigious 2008 iF product design award (International Forum Design of Hannover, Germany). [Read description and specs of the Casio DT-X7 data entry terminal] -- Posted Friday, February 22, 2008 by chb

Sony Ericsson launches Windows Mobile-based XPERIA platform
Unwilling to let Apple get all the attention with its sleek iPhone, Sony Ericsson launched XPERIA and announced the first XPERIA phone, the X1. A bit smaller, but thicker, then the Apple iPhone, the X1 has a slider QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2 megapixel digital camera, and displays 800 x 480 pixels on its 3-inch screen. This makes for stunningly high resolution and enables the unique XPERIA desktop that's operated via touch. The X1 supports quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE as well as quad-band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA. [See description and closeups of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1] -- Posted Monday, February 11, 2008 by chb

Can Raketu replace a SIM card?
Raketu is a VoIP-based service that has been available for desktops, but is now offered for Windows Mobile devices as well. It is supposed to enable you to use your handset to make calls anywhere in the world free. [Read Tim Hillebrand's review of the Raketu social networking meets communications meets media in one application.] -- Posted Wednesday, February 6, 2008 by chb

Psion Teklogix adds rugged PDA
Psion Teklogix added the ikôn Rugged PDA to its lineup of rugged handhelds, vehicle mounts, and terminals. The compact and lightweight ikôn is powered by a 624MHz Marvell PXA270, has a full-VGA outdoor-viewable 3.7-inch display, runs Windows CE 5.0 or Windows Mobile 6.0, survives 5-foot drops, and has an impressive IP65 ingress protection rating. [Read description and specs of the Psion Teklogix ikôn Rugged PDA] -- Posted Monday, February 4, 2008 by chb

Skyfire browser beta for Windows Mobile
Skyfire unveiled a new mobile browser that makes browsing on a smartphone just like browsing on a PC. Smartphone users can experience the "real Web" to access and interact with any Web site built with any Web technology, including dynamic Flash, advanced Ajax, Java and more - at the same speeds they are accustomed to on their PC. Check the skyfire.com website for the private beta that supports Windows Mobile phones, both touchscreen and non-touchscreen, in the U.S. The company will introduce a version for Symbian smartphones in the coming months and other platforms and geographies are on the product roadmap. -- Posted Monday, January 28, 2008 by chb

Free WinMo 6 upgrade for Samsung BlackJack
Samsung announced the availability of the Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for the BlackJack, which is available in the U.S. exclusively from AT&T. BlackJack users can update their devices from Windows Mobile 5.0 to the new Windows Mobile 6.0 operating platform with a free desktop download available directly from Samsung. The Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for the BlackJack(TM) is available at http://www.samsung.com/us/i607/windowsupgrade. -- Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2008 by chb

Added two new rugged Windows CE devices
We added detailed descriptions and specs for two interesting new Windows CE devices. The Metrologic SP5700 OptimusPDA is a compact rugged handheld running Windows CE 5.0 on a 520MHz PXA270. It has an integrated scanner or imager. The Data Ltd DLI 8300 is a tablet that can run any number of operating systems, including Windows CE 6.0. It is powered by a 500MHz AMD LX800 Geode and can have screen resolutions up to 1024 x 768. Both devices are IP54 rated and can take a beating. -- Posted Thursday, January 17, 2008 by chb

NeoMagic releases smartphone manufacturing kit
NeoMagic, whose MiMagic 6+ applications processor powers the Neonode N2, announced the availability of their Windows Mobile-based Smart Phone Manufacturing Kit. The kit is designed for OEMs that wish to significantly reduce development and design time, enabling them to put feature-and-application-rich smart phones in customers' hands in approximately six months rather than the typical 18 month process. The kit comes with a complete software package, and includes a form-factor reference design, schematics with walk-through documents, the board layout with a layout guidelines document, a full BOM, the Windows Mobile BSP, a software design guide, a user's guide, complete download utilities, optimized GSM/GPRS image code, all drivers and codecs. -- Posted Tuesday, January 8, 2008 by chb

MobiForms 4 now certified with Open-Source HSQLDB database
MobiForms announced the release of MobiForms 4.0. MobiForms version 4.0 has been certified with the open-source HSQLDB database. MobiForms includes a free copy of HSQLDB for server, standalone or mobile database applications, complementing the MobiForms Developer tool and the Mobiforms runtime interpreter. MobiForms offers all the tools in one "box"for the creation and deployment of any type of mobile application - from surveys to field service, from signature capture to bar coding. -- Posted Monday, January 7, 2008 by chb

How to Customize SPB Mobile Shell
You have no doubt heard the aphorism “be careful what you wish for because you just may get it.” Well, my first encounter with SPB Mobile Shell (SMS) was as a pre-installed bonus on a Pharos 600 GPS unit. [Read Tim Hillebrand's How to Customize SPB Mobile Shell] -- Posted Saturday, January 5, 2008 by chb

Conduits Pocket Player 3.51
Conduits Technologies announced the release of Pocket Player 3.51 for Windows Mobile. Pocket Player aims to satisfy consumers who demand more from a media player experience. In addition to a media library with touch-scrolling ability, full-screen album artwork, and Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP) support, Pocket Player supports podcasts, streaming radio, and user ratings. More information, including screenshots, video and a full list of plugins and features, can be found at http://www.conduits.com/news/pr20071212.html. A 30-day trial is available from http://www.conduits.com/products/player/. Pocket Player 3.51 is available for $19.95.
-- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2007 by chb

Alinean and Wipro Windows Mobile Messaging TCO Tool
Alinean announced the availability of the Windows Mobile Messaging TCO Tool, an online calculator developed to analyze the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of competing mobile solutions. Developed in partnership with Wipro, the analysis tool is based on research of mobile deployments by 160 customers, and a comparative lab-based study to determine the TCO of the leading mobile platforms for e-mail messaging and collaboration. The tool was introduced at the Windows Mobile Partner Summit 2007. [Check out the Windows Mobile Messaging TCO Tool] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2007 by chb

Zonar Vehicle Inspection Reports for WinMo
Zonar Systems announced the release of a Windows Mobile version of its Electronic Vehicle Inspection Report System, or EVIR. The new rev allows fleet managers to integrate the Zonar System with pre-existing handheld devices. With EVIR, vehicle inspections are captured electronically, wirelessly uploaded to secure servers, and accessed via a web-based Telematics application. Handheld devices can now use RFID tags, barcodes, or similar technology to visit "zones" around the vehicle and inspect components as prompted by the device. Each scanned token creates a time stamp that verifies the inspection was completed and documents the amount of time the operator spent in each zone. [See overview of the Electronic Vehicle Inspection Report System] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2007 by chb

Windows Mobile 6 update and unlocked Treo 750 available for U.S. customers
Palm announced that an update to Windows Mobile 6 is available as a free download for AT&T Palm Treo 750 smartphone users in the US. The free upgrade brings increased functionality, enhanced user interface and strengthened security and performance to the Treo 750, as well as facilitates HSDPA capability for faster data-download speeds on 3G/UMTS/HSDPA networks. Palm also announced that an unlocked version of the Treo 750 is available with Windows Mobile 6 out of the box, allowing an even broader customer base to immediately enjoy the improved features of the Windows Mobile 6 operating system. -- Posted Tuesday, December 4, 2007 by chb

Full review: Juniper Systems Archer Field PC
If you're in need of an ultra-rugged Windows Mobile-based PDA, Juniper Systems of Logan, Utah, offers the Archer Field PC for applications in numerous vertical markets from agriculture to forestry to meter reading/data collection to wildlife resources and more. The Archer provides standard Windows CE functionality and excellent connectivity in a device so tough that it can be used in the most extreme working conditions. We put the Archer to the test and yes, that includes underwater and drops. [Read full review of the Juniper Systems Archer Field PC]



-- Posted Wednesday, November 21, 2007 by chb

LXE adds small but rugged CE 5.0-based handheld
LXE introduced the MX8 wireless data collection handheld. The MX8 is LXE’s smallest, lightest, and most economical handheld device to date, perfect for use in a wide array of light industrial and retail environments. With its choice of standard range laser or 1D/2D imagers. The MX8 is a Windows CE 5.0 device running a 520MHZ Marvell PXA280 processor, has superb battery life, a very bright 2.8-inch touchscreen, and enough ruggedness to easily survive in its intended applications in supply chain and retail. [See description and specs of the LXE MX8] -- Posted Friday, November 16, 2007 by chb

Microsoft releases Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2
At the Embedded Technology 2007 conference in Japan, Microsoft announced the release of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2, designed to quickly build smart, connected, real-time commercial and consumer electronics devices. New features include the Web Services on Devices API, VoIP telephony and thin-client technology enhancements, and Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 seamlessly connects to computers running Vista and Windows Server 2008 as well as other devices. Microsoft also announced the launch of a community-focused initiative, code-named "SPARK," a joint offering between Microsoft and select hardware vendors designed to bring the benefits of embedded development on Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Visual Studio 2005 to hobbyist developers and the academic community. [See what's new in Embedded CE 6.0 R2] -- Posted Wednesday, November 14, 2007 by chb

Review: Neonode N2 -- new version of the phone that pioneered touch screens
The Neonode N2 is a little multimedia touch screen phone that almost no one has ever heard of. It's different from anything else on the market, although since the advent of the Apple iPhone no longer quite as different as it once was. The N2 is cute and tiny, runs the novel Neno interface on top of Windows Mobile 6.0 (so it can use ActiveSync), has a 2-megapixel camera with video and offers completely one-handed operation via its zForce touch screen. It is an unlocked quad-band GSM/GPRS phone with Bluetooth and a miniSD card, but no 3G, GPS, or built-in email client. We're taking a very detailed look at this speedy little marvel that pioneered the use of touch screens on phones, and whose operation remains unique. Is the N2 just a cute conversation piece, or much more? [Read full review of the Neonode N2] -- Posted Tuesday, November 6, 2007 by chb

EQO mobile internet phone app for WinMo smartphones
EQO Communications announced the release of a native Windows Mobile beta version of its mobile VoIP, text and IM application. EQO is a free mobile application that lets users call anywhere in the world for rates as low as 2.3 cents USD/minute (1.2p) and also features inexpensive international text messages and free access to popular instant messaging services, including MSN, AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber. [See the EQO Windows Mobile VoIP/text/IM page -- Posted Wednesday, October 31, 2007 by chb

Four new WinMo 6-based i-mates
i-mate launched its new "Ultimate" range of wireless devices -- the Windows Mobile 6-based Ultimate 6150, 8150, 8502, and 9502. The high-end devices include video out that can drive video onto a plasma screen and the fastest radio connection of any Windows Mobile device in a variety of form factors. The Ultimate 6150 uses a PDA form factor with a 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen, while the Ultimate 8150 features both a VGA touchscreen and dial keypad with T9 for simple and convenient text entry. The Ultimate 8502 has a 2.6-inch touchscreen and full QWERTY keypad, and the Ultimate 9502 offers a 2.8-inch sliding VGA touchscreen with a full QWERTY keypad. All have 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM, Quad-Band GSM/EDGE, Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, 2.0 and 3.0 megapixel cameras, GPS, WiFi 802.11b/g/e/i, Bluetooth v2.0 EDR connectivity, and a microSD card slot. The 6150 and 8150 use a 520MHz Marvell PXA270 whereas the 8502 and 9502 run on a 400MHz Qualcomm MSM 7200.
-- Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2007 by chb

Microsoft introduces System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008
Microsoft introduced the Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, a new mobile-dedicated server solution that helps companies manage Windows Mobile phones similar to Windows-based laptops and PCs. With Mobile Device Manager, companies can deliver new applications to phones over the air as well as connect people via Mobile VPN with security-enhanced access to critical data such as expense reports or customer information Microsoft says that more than 30 Windows Mobile phones have been announced this year. [The Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008] -- Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2007 by chb

Full review: Motorola/Symbol MC35 -- PDA, phone, camera, scanner, GPS all in one
The durable, pocketable Symbol MC35 from Motorola is a true mobile EDGE GPRS/GSM voice and data communicator running the Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium Phone Edition on a 416MHz Marvell PXA270 processor. The MC35 also has image capture and bar code scanning capabilities via a 2-megapixel digital camera that can instantly scan and process any 1D and 2D codes. An integrated GPS module supports a wide range of location-based services and applications. Bluetooth 1.2 supports wireless modem communication, printing, synchronization and more. An internal 802.11b/g wireless LAN allows for fast data connectivity and also, via third party applications, "walkie-talkie" Voice over IP connectivity. [Read our full review of the Symbol MC35 Enterprise Digital Assistant] -- Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 by chb

4P all-in-one Field Digital Assistants
4P Mobile Data Processing, hedquartered in Padova, Italy, has been designing and manufacturing specialized handheld terminals and computers for demanding field applications since 1989. The FDA300 Field Digital Assistant is a modern data collection and Auto-ID handheld with barcode scanner, RFID, camera, and cellphone functionality. The "all-in-one" FDA600 adds integrated printer, mag card reader and Smart Card reader. [Read descrption and specs of the 4P FDA300 and 4P FDA600] -- Posted Monday, October 1, 2007 by chb

LXE introduces wearable Windows CE voice computer
LXE has substantial experience with wearable and voice activated, enabled and/or controlled computers. The company's HX2 is a small arm- or waist-wearable that's voice enabled, but it still has a display. The new HX3, introduced in September of 2007, does away with the display altogether. It is a completely hands-free voice-operated computer for use with voice-directed logistics applicatons, even if they take places in freezers with temperatures down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. [see description of the rugged LXE HX3 voice computer] -- Posted Tuesday, September 18, 2007 by chb

Palm Treo 500V - not what we expected
Yes, it is a long awaited Windows Mobile 6 device, but it is a Windows Mobile Standard product. That means in the old terminology that it is a Smartphone. That means it is not a Pocket PC and does not have a touch screen--how sad. A second disappointment is that it has been released in Europe before the U.S., but I suppose that is the Palm pattern now as we recall the 700s and 750 releases abroad instead of in their own country. Why? Read [first impressions of the Treo 500v] -- Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 by chb

The biggest HP iPAQ release yet

What a day. HP returns Apple's serve with a masterful volley of their own: Five new iPAQs (and a whole slew of new iPAQ programs, services and accessories). Read all about the "classic" iPAQ 110 that combines iPAQ style with state-of-the-art technology; the enterprise-oriented iPAQ 210 -- a spiritual successor of the iPAQ 4700 with its big and razor-sharp VGA display; the iPAQ 310 Travel Companion with a large, ultra-hi-res screen and a GPS-optimized processor; and two quad-band/3Q/WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS communicators with either a phone keypad (the iPAQ 610) or a thumbtype keyboard (the iPAQ 910). -- Posted Wednesday, September 5, 2007 by chb

Palm dumps Foleo
Jeff Hawkins' latest brainchild is dead before it even hit the street. Today Palm CEO Ed Colligan announced they'd pull the plug on the Foleo so because it'd become clear to him "that the right path for Palm is to offer a single, consistent user experience around this new platform design and a single focus for our platform development efforts." That statement also seems to affect Palm's offering of Windows Mobile devices, and to that Colligan said, "We will, of course, continue to deliver products in partnership with Microsoft on the Windows Mobile platform, but from our internal platform development perspective, we will focus on only one." So there. [Read Ed Colligan's blog terminating Foleo] -- Posted Tuesday, September 4, 2007 by chb

Ultra-rugged Trimble/TDS Nomad packs a punch
Tripod Data Systems, a Trimble company, was among the very first to bring to market a new machine built around the 806MHz version of the new XScale PXA320 processor. Having bought the XScale processor business from Intel in 2006, new owner Marvel offers a speedy, powerful, yet also very energy-efficient solution to forward-thinking clients. The Windows Mobile 6-based Trimble/TDS Nomad is an ultra-rugged high-performance handheld with a full gigabyte of Flash, a full 480 x 640 VGA display, and exemplary configurability with customizable endcaps. It operates in an enormously wide temperature range and can even survive underwater. [see description and specs of the Trimble/TDS Nomad]
-- Posted Thursday, August 16, 2007 by chb