Microsoft hasn’t suddenly transformed its 30-inch, multi-touch Surface into a big-ass cellphone. It has, however, chosen AT&T to launch the world’s first Surface into retail. Shoppers in New York, Atlanta, San Antonio, and San Francisco will be treated to what amounts to the novelty (at least initially) of learning about a device (Samsung BlackJack II, pictured) by simply placing it atop the Surface. They’ll also have the ability to explore interactive coverage maps. Later, users will be able to drag ringtones, graphics and video and drop it into “the phones.” Note their use of “the” and not “your” phone in the press release.
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Microsoft today announced Windows Mobile 6.1, an update that makes critical information available at a glance, offers quicker phone setup, and provides enhanced features adapted for the small screen. With Windows Mobile 6.1 users will be able to:
- Glance at and respond to notifications such as missed calls, upcoming appointments and new messages from the home screen as well as play music and share photos
- Get setup faster with the new Getting Started Center, from setting up email, a Bluetooth headset or Wi-Fi
- Save time with features adapted for the small screen by flagging, deleting or moving groups of messages, keeping track of conversations through threaded text messaging, and zooming in on text or pictures, or view an entire Web page at once
- Help administrators manage phones similarly to a Windows-based PC or access company data that may be behind a firewall; and support for Exchange Server 2007 SP1 advanced mobile policies helps businesses manage and administer security for phones while enabling people to find, share, and use information
Partners will be updating or expanding to Windows Mobile 6.1 beginning in the second quarter of 2008. For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx .
At the CTIA Las Vegas 2008, Fox Mobile Entertainment announced the launch of the Fox Entertainment Mobile Network, a mobile web portal that puts “one of the most impressive lineups of television content ever brought to the mobile platform at one convenient mobile location.”
The portal includes a variety of content from FOX, FX, SPEED, National Geographic Channel and Fox Reality Channel; and includes over 30 mobile web sites for such programming as The Simpsons, 24, Family Guy, Nip/Tuck, NASCAR and Dog Whisperer.
All wireless subscribers can access the Fox Mobile Entertainment Network on their mobile browsers at FoxMobile.com. Additionally, the site (actually that’s network of sites) will be available via AT&T’s MEdia Net and Sprint’s Wireless Web.
Here some info and full portfolio of devices that support Sprint’s QChat. All of these will be branded under the Nextel Direct Connect (NDC) moniker and are backwards compatible with the existing iDEN PTT devices. Common features include Direct Connect and Group Talk, Sprint Navigation, Bluetooth, speakerphone, Sprint Mobile Email and Mobile Sync. The last one allows users to manage their contacts online, as well as set up groups for DC and text/voice messaging. This service will also instantly sync changes between the phone and the website.
QChat users will have the choice of using one number option for both PTT and voice services, though customers wishing to have two separate numbers can do so as well. Current iDEN customers will still retain the two-number system. The Sanyo PRO devices will launch first, possibly as soon as April 16th, with the rest of the models slated for this summer.
Sanyo Pro-200 is an entry level phone with clamshell form-factor and slim design. Look for a $50 price-point.
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Verizon Wireless and Networks In Motion (NIM) today announced an update to their popular VZ Navigator service coming in April.
The new “version 4″ will allow customers in 75 cities to access traffic incidents, traffic updates, and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents. Routes will be calculated using both historical and real-time reported traffic information. The historical information will allow customers to see on average whether the traffic is impacted by traffic lights, heavy traffic or school zones. VZ Navigator’s historical data covers over 750,000 miles of roads in 48 states across the nation, making travel time estimates more accurate.
The incident and flow information will tell customers how traffic is flowing, and will include details about reported accidents, disabled vehicles and congestion. NIM’s Traffic Tracking Center continually monitors conditions along the customers’ routes, sending proactive alerts to drivers about conditions ahead of them on their chosen routes. Detour options allow for comparison of ETA and conditions, before selecting a new route. Traffic information is powered by NAVTEQ Traffic.
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