Monthly Archive for May, 2010

Windows Embedded Compact 7 officially announced

Published on May 31, 2010 at 11:46 pm in Android Central. Closed

Internet Explorer on Windows CE7 A bit belatedly, Microsoft finally officially announced their latest embedded OS. See the press release below.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — June 1, 2010 — In this day and age, it’s pretty tough to imagine a world without portable electronics such as media players, e-readers, PCs and slates. Imagine your morning commute on a bus or train, workout routine, layover at an airport, or even zoning out without your favorite TV show, album or website keeping you company.

To coincide with Steve Guggenheimer’s keynote at Computex Taipei, Microsoft announced the Windows Embedded Compact 7 public community technology preview (CTP). Windows Embedded Compact 7 is the next generation of Microsoft’s widely used Windows Embedded CE platform, which provides OEMs with the tools and technologies to deliver specialized devices.

With the recent release of Windows Embedded Standard 7, Microsoft brought the power of Windows 7 and Windows Media Center to embedded devices such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players and televisions — ushering in the next generation of connected media devices. With the release of Windows Embedded Compact 7, Microsoft Windows Embedded is taking another innovative step forward by bringing the power of Windows 7 across another family of specialized devices, such as slates, portable media players and others.

For consumers, Windows Embedded Compact 7 will provide a fantastic experience, offering the ability to share and manage content across networked devices. In other words, it allows entertainment devices connected to the Internet around your home to share content on the fly. Think about that next time the latest viral video shows up on your favorite streaming website and you want to share it with the family.

You’ll be happy to know Windows Embedded Compact 7 will also come with a powerful update to Microsoft Internet Explorer, including support for Adobe Flash 10.1, a simplified media player with tons of codecs, easy library management, and seamless integration with Windows 7-based PCs.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 will also provide a simplified work experience for enterprise users, including an easier way to connect to corporate e-mail, calendar and contacts through Microsoft Exchange 2010 AirSync or Microsoft Exchange Server support. To make on-the-go life even easier, it also includes Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF viewers to access documents, and Windows 7 Device Stage to transfer files between PCs and portable devices.

New technologies in Windows Embedded Compact 7 will provide developers and designers with powerful tools and a streamlined development experience to build compelling devices quickly and easily, while also providing customized and branded experiences.

Additional features and capabilities of Windows Embedded Compact 7 include the following:

•Rich and connected experiences for consumers. Windows Embedded Compact 7 gives consumers the ability to share and manage content across networked devices with Digital Living Network Alliance, such as new HDTVs, and a new media library.

•Simplified access to information for enterprise users. Windows Embedded Compact 7 makes it easier to connect to corporate e-mail, calendar and contacts over enterprise networks through Microsoft AirSync and Microsoft Exchange, as well as to Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF viewers to access important documents, and to Windows 7 Device Stage to transfer data and media between PCs and devices.

•Resources for hardware manufacturers and developers. Windows Embedded Compact 7 provides resources to help bring high-performing, highly reliable and differentiated specialty devices to market quicker with support for multicore and the latest asset relationship management-based architecture and tools, including Platform Builder, Visual Studio, Expression Blend and Silverlight for Windows Embedded.

This release will continue the momentum of Windows 7 technology impacting the experiences that can be delivered on devices by providing a toolkit for hardware manufacturers and developers that will enable them to quickly bring to market reliable and uniquely rich and branded devices.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 provides new tools and technologies such as Platform Builder, Visual Studio and Expression Blend to ensure OEMs and developers have everything they need to create something incredible. There’s even the ability for developers to use Microsoft Silverlight technology for customized and branded experiences on the device or outside of the browser, as well as support for multicore and the latest ARM-based architecture used extensively in portable consumer electronics.

A series of technical white papers are being released today to help OEMs, partners and the developer community learn the ins and outs of Windows Embedded Compact 7. These resources can be found here.

Interested in the Windows Embedded Compact 7 Public CTP? It’s currently available to the public at http://www.windowsembedded.com/compact7, so go get it! The platform is expected to be released to manufacturing in the fourth quarter of this year, so be sure to keep an eye out for additional details.

Make sure to be a part of the excitement by keeping an eye on the @msftweb Twitter account for more news on Windows Embedded Compact 7.

found at wireless.hellfireempire.com

Loopt goes after check-in competitors with Loopt Star

Published on May 31, 2010 at 9:01 pm in Android Central. Closed

Loopt is going check-in services like Foursquare and Gowalla with its Loopt Star iPhone application but it has two things that could help it stand out: strong Facebook integration and real rewards.

My main beef with something like Foursquare is that you have to build up your connections from scratch and most of these services are inevitably filled with tech hipsters who may not be your real friends. Loopt is utilizing Facebook Connect for its app, so the world’s largest social network will do the heavy lifting in terms of your social graph while Loopt concentrates on delivering a solid location-based service. You can still use the app without publishing to Facebook, so don’t worry about privacy too much.

Another beef with the check-in services is that I don’t really care that much about being the “mayor” or “boss” or “head honcho” of a venue unless it gets me something. Sure, there’s a little bit of fun dislodging others but I’m a grown man – I tend to only do things that make me money or make me happy. Loopt has this part locked down as it is coming out of the gates with some strong, real-world rewards. For example, if you check in to The Gap two times you receive an instant 25% discount. That’s a sizable discount and the company also has deals with Burger King, Stanford University, Universal Music Group, and more partnerships will be coming in the future.

For brands and retailers, Loopt offers a platform that is highly customizable. For example, you can adjust the reward based on location, time of day, which rewards go to the user’s Facebook stream, and other features that could help establish a stronger connection with the user. You will be able to battle other people to be the “Boss” of a location and there’s the expected leader board, as well.

“Hyper-local advertising should be about much more than simply clicking on a banner ad — it should be about connecting with brands and getting rewarded for loyalty. Brands want to turn their existing customers into better ones,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of Loopt, in a prepared statement. “Loopt Star enables brands to create customized campaigns that reach their customers in a completely targeted, interactive way that rewards the behaviors they want.”

I understand that some retailers also offer rewards for being the “mayor” in Foursquare but I’m already more impressed with the deals Loopt has secured. This will be a fun space to watch, as we all know location-based services are coming in a big way.

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WMExperts Podcast Episode 100

Published on May 31, 2010 at 7:45 pm in Android Central. Closed

Wmexpertspodcast

It's Episode 100, people! That's a whole lot of Windows Mobile. And to celebrate, well, we talk about a major shakeup within the Microsoft executive ranks, as well as the latest in Windows Mobile 7.

Download it directly with this link
Subscribe on your Zune
Subscribe via iTunes
Subscribe directly to the Podcast feed with your favorite Podcatcher here
Listen to it here with the flash player above.

Top o' the news

Hardware news

Software news

Microsoft news

Microsoft may cut cost of Zune Pass: $9.99 a month?

Credits

Thanks to the WMExperts Store for sponsoring the podcast. Thanks also to these great artists for the music and to CCMixter.org for offering a great database of Creative Commons music!

found at wireless.hellfireempire.com

iPhone OS 4: iTunes streaming audio

Published on May 31, 2010 at 7:29 pm in Android Central. Closed

I mentioned this during the iPhone live! #100 podcast, but iPhone OS 4 has taken a huge leap forward when it comes to streaming audio via the iTunes app. Since iPhone OS 2.2 you’ve been able to tap the title of a podcast to begin streaming (rather than downloading) the audio, even in the background while using other apps, but it was sometimes hit or miss. It would drop out, it would time out, you couldn’t really scrub through it, and if you left it for a while it would lose its place and start over.

In iPhone OS 4 it’s rock solid. You can scrub and it re-buffers and keeps playing flawlessly. You can stop it and come back hours or even days later — even after using the iTunes app to search for other things or the iPod app to play different audio — and it still knows where you left off and starts playing again instantly without missing a beat.

It’s so good you may find you no longer download or sync podcasts but just stream what you want to listen to. (If they let you “subscribe” and receive notifications of when a new podcast appeared in the feed, it would be perfect).

Maybe this is architecturally laying the underpinnings for a grander Apple streaming service, or maybe they just wanted this app to work great for this functionality. Either way, iTunes streaming audio in iPhone OS 4 is a significant improvement.

iPhone OS 4: iTunes streaming audio is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

found at wireless.hellfireempire.com

iPad live podcast #6 – Flight delay

Published on May 31, 2010 at 7:28 pm in Android Central. Closed

NOTE: iPad Live! now has its own RSS and iTunes feeds! Subscribe now via the links above.

iiPhone international launch… with delayed deliveries, will the iPad replace your desktop, Apple TV to get iPhone OS and $99 price tag, B&N eReader, Wired, OmniGraffle and the rest of the week’s news and apps. Listen in!

Want to make us new theme music and win fabulous prizes?

iPad Live! needs your help, check out our theme music contest for your chance to win over $200 in prizes!

Credits

Thanks to the the iPhone Blog Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

I Called You — iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy

Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

iPad live podcast #6 – Flight delay is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

found at wireless.hellfireempire.com

HTC Aria looks like a tiny Droid Incredible-Evo 4G mash-up

Published on May 31, 2010 at 6:47 pm in Android Central. Closed

What do you get when you cross the HTC Desire with the Evo 4G and Droid Incredible? From the looks of this leaked shot, you get the HTC Aria. Those are the same capacitive buttons from the Evo 4G, the blocky shape of the Droid Incredible and the trackpad from Desire (and Incredible), all rolled into a pretty small Frankenphone. That's a business card on the right, so we're not talking about a hefty device here. The Aria's been rumored for AT&T, but there's been nothing more solid than that. So maybe we'll see this one alongside the Backflip and (eventually, maybe) the Dell Aero and/or Samsung Galaxy S. Or maybe it's just the Phone that Should Not Be. [via Android Guys]

This is a post by Android Central. It is sponsored by the Android Central Accessories Store

found at wireless.hellfireempire.com

Huawei Pulse getting Android 2.1

Published on May 31, 2010 at 4:22 pm in Android Central. Closed

T-Mobile Hungary is said to be bringing Android 2.1 (Eclair) to the Huawei Pulse. This is certainly good news, as the device has been running on Android 1.5 for some time now. It may not be Froyo status, but it’s better than nothing.

It certainly comes as a surprise to hear that of all Android devices out there, the Pulse is getting the 2.1 update. I’m sure there are no complaints from Pulse users, but as an entry level device, many thought that this device would be left in the dust as far as Android OS upgrades were concerned. If you’re carrying one of these Android phones, there is a Hungarian-language step by step how to guide to get 2.1 on your Pulse. There is an English version that’s been translated if your Hungarian is nonexistent rusty, but do this at your own risk.

T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) Hungary has also said that if you do successfully upgrade to Eclair, you will not have the option of downgrading back to 1.5. But who’d want to to that anyway? It seems reasonable that the Pulse would receive any sort of update later than some devices, as it’s custom grid-like UI needed to be modified to be compatible with 2.1

There’s good reason to believe that this will be the Pulse’s last firmware upgrade, as Froyo is aimed at more powerful devices. Fragmentation of the platform is still a major issue that doesn’t seem like it was addressed with Froyo, as we were led to believe. With some devices still being released running Android 1.5, you’ve gotta wonder what some manufacturers were thinking. Still, its a good thing to see the Pulse receive the 2.1 update, as it seemed way out of left field.

Anyone who is holding on to one of these devices and wants to give the update a try, be sure to fill us in on how it went in the comments below.

[Via: AndroidAuthority]

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iPhone 4G / HD confirmed to have 960×640 IPS LCD display, highest pixel density

Published on May 31, 2010 at 4:18 pm in Android Central. Closed

There’s no doubt that when Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) drops the iPhone 4G / HD / 4 on the world during the WWDC 2010 keynote next week, smartphone hopefuls will be lining up to buy the next-gen iPhone and its higher-resolution display. Today, we have confirmation that the iPhone 4 will sport an IPS-based LCD screen (the same kind that is used on the iPad) that packs in 960 x 640 pixels for a pixel density (DPI) that has yet to be achieved on any other smartphone. By taking count of the RGB elements of the new iPhone display under a microscope, we now know that the upcoming Apple smartphone has twice the number of pixels in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

Just how does one figure out the pixel count of an LCD panel? Well, you literally put the display under a microscope and count the number of pixels (each pixel is comprised of three sub-pixels – RGB for red, green and blue). Then you do some quick math to extrapolate how many pixels are present in a given length of the display. That’s exactly what Czech site superiphone.cz. These folks apparently got their iPhone-loving mitts on the next-gen iPhone display (or at least some components) and put it to the test.

After examining and counting the RGB elements, they found the density in both horizontal and vertical directions to be TWICE what we’re used to. Translation? We’re looking at quadruple the total number of pixels, giving us the rumored 960×640 IPS display at 320dpi. Insane. That makes the iPhone 4 the first smartphone to launch with a pixel density this high. The higher density should give the Apple phone’s display the kind of clarity that we’ve not yet seen in the mobile space, with almost HD-quality resolution.

That’s a lot of pixels. If this is indeed true… I want one. Now.

[Via: MacRumors]

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iPhone Sale Shares to Stem Foxconn Suicides?

Published on May 31, 2010 at 3:49 pm in Android Central. Closed

You might have heard that there has been a rash of suicides at Foxconn, a manufacturing partner with Apple (NSDQ: AAPL), Nokia (NYSE: NOK), and many other big names in tech. Since January, there have been thirteen suicide attempts, ten successful. There’s a whole lot that Foxconn is trying to do to change this situation: of the more reasonable solutions, there’s a 20% pay increase, counseling, and Apple is reportedly chipping in 1% – 2% of iPhone sales to go to Foxconn employees. On the crazier side, they apparently hired an exorcist, and new workers now have to sign a pledge to not kill themselves.

An independent investigation revealed that though it’s not quite a sweatshop, the employees are under obscenely close scrutiny and aren’t paid especially well. Apple, among other customers like HP and Dell, have begun looking into the obvious morale issue, and although salary does seem to be the biggest complaint, hopefully the investigation will bear a more long-term solution than throwing money at the problem.

As bad as the situation’s become, it’s worth remembering not all Foxconn employees are depressed and on the verge of suicide.

[ZOL via Engadget and MIC Gadget]

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HTC EVO 4G keeps it real with official new, upgrade and no-contract pricing

Published on May 31, 2010 at 3:33 pm in Android Central. Closed

We have to hand it to HTC for keeping it real with pricing options for the HTC EVO 4G. Rather than continue to confuse customers with different pricing options for picking up a Sprint HTC EVO 4G as a new purchase, upgrade purchase, or no-contract purchase, the Taiwanese manufacturer has posted their official retail prices for the hot upcoming Android phone.

The official prices break down as expected. If you’re buying the phone as a new purchase with an accompanying 2-year contract with Sprint (NYSE: S), you can order your own EVO 4G for just $199.99. If you’re an existing Sprint customer and looking to simply upgrade, you can order the phone for $299.99. Or, if you’ve got a problem with signing another service contract, you can get a contract-free version of the handset for $549.99. All offers are shipped through UPS or Fedex for free.

For those of you that somehow haven’t heard about the EVO 4G, here’s a quick breakdown of the baddest Android phone to date. The handset has a massive 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display that’s unrivaled by any other Android phone (there’s also a built-in kickstand to prop up the phone for viewing videos). It’s powered by a 1Ghz Snapdragon processor and has an 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash. The 3G data connection serves as a fallback for the 4G WiMAX radio, with WiFi to round out the connectivity options. GPS, Bluetooth, and microSD card slot also help round out the feature set. Of course, Android 2.1 OS runs the show, with HTC’s Sense UI skinned atop.

Why is the EVO-maker doing this? Well, why wouldn’t they? HTC sells the same number of units regardless of whether you buy one of their phones with a new service agreement or free and clear of contracts. While third-party vendors like Best Buy and Radio Shack and Walmart have the incentive of new-contract commissions to convince you to buy phones that they can activate, HTC could care less (or couldn’t care less, depending on how you look at it).

So, in addition to Sprint and all the retailers selling the EVO 4G, you have another option in HTC. Find the order page here. Remember, the EVO goes live on June 4th for $200 on contract. Have you pre-ordered yours yet?

[Via: GoodAndEvo]

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