Remember the document tab in HTC Sense ? now there will be an eBook reader In some of the latest HTC HD2 ROMs (2.05 and 2.07 have it) according to WMPU Via 3gin.net

Long Zheng posted this video by an Aussie designer Barton Smith this prototype UI branded with the Microsoft label could land up on a Microsoft device. If you look closely you can see that the Prototype UI shows Optus Network being used ( top right corner ), Optus is a mobile service provider in Australia. So WM7 ? Zune Phone ? We expect some element from this UI to show itself in the Zune Phone a.k.a Multimedia version of WM7.

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Here are some more wm7 rumors.. most of the things are repeating itself from the previous wm7 rumors.. I have used bold text to highlight some of the new ones…

via WMPU – tweakers.net – chainfire.eu

Microsoft will drop much of the business side of WM in favor of the consumer side. The traditional business offerings like Office / Exchange functionality will of course still be supported, but the focus will be shifted to gaming and multimedia. The Xbox and Zune brands will be represented, the Zune player willl be included and it will be possible to wirelessly exchange data, multimedia, and games with the Xbox 360.

The first batch of phones that will be released will have pretty much the same chip specs, and HTC, Samsung, LG and SE will be the ones to deliver this first batch of phones. In this first batch (September 2010), the OEMs are apparently not allowed to make big changes, they all have to use the same interface.

This means, no custom UI like Sense, no Opera Mobile either. Instead the default WM UI will be used and a new PocketIE based on IE7, but with some functionality from IE8.

The second batch (end of 2010) will be allowed to have small changes, but likely only theme-based and addition of some custom application.

Only at the third batch (early 2011) will the OEMs be allowed to add their own interfaces, like Sense, Panels, TouchWiz and S-Class.

The official announcements of the WM7 phones are not expected to occur more than a few weeks before actual release of the OS, [CF: so we probably won't see official (unleaked) specs and such before the end of July (based on the September release date)].

As hardware goes they say mostly the same as the chassis 1 specs. 1 Ghz+ CPU, Open GL ES 2.0, 800×480+, 3.5″+, 384mb+ (possibly 512+).

According to those we have seen the WM7 interface, it is nothing revolutionary. It should have standard multi-touch support and supports only capacitive. The interface is said to be a hybrid of iPhone / Android / Zune HD elements.

Apparently those that have used WM7 builds differ in opinion about the software. Some state it is much faster than for example the 3GS, while others mention apps are slow to start and experiencing ‘hickups’.

Apps-wise, old applications will in principle not be compatible with Windows Mobile 7, throwing away many thousands of apps that are currently available. It may be compatibility for old apps will be emulated, but this is not clear yet. How exactly this will work will likely be explained at MIX 2010 in March.

It certainly seems like only .NET apps will be supported [CF: ugh!], however it is not clear if the Compact Framework will be a part of that .NET support.

In an effort to cover all things windows mobile we have partnered with some of the leading windows mobile news sites to bring you a look at the top stores , rumors and reviews related to windows mobile and some other smartphone platforms. Today in the Smartphones Weekly Roundup we have …

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The guys from mobile-review.com has put together a short video review of the Sony Ericsson Aspen. If you are interested in the QVGA front facing keyboard device then you might want to checkout this WM6.5.3 device from Sony Ericsson

ppcgeeks.com is claiming to have some info about WM7. they have not mentioned the source of their info and to me it looks like they have put together a collection of all the rumors in to one post. Here is the info from the post

-At the Mobile World Congress event on February 15th, 2010, Windows Phone 7 will be unveilved, although at this time plans are only to unveil the user interface of the new platform . Specific indepth functionality of the device will most likely not be shown.
-The User Interface is based upon codename “METRO”. It will be very similar to the Zune HD User Interface with a complete revamp of the “Start” screen. The UI is “Very Clean”, “Soulful” and “Alive”
-Unfortunately there will be no Flash support at the get go as there was not enough time to implement these features.
-Windows Phone 7 will only support application installation through service based delivery. (i.e Marketplace). Application installation via storage card will not be possible.
- No Multi-Task support. Applications will “Pause” when in the background, however will support notifications via push notifications.
-Marketplace will now support “try before you buy” as well as an API
-No NETCF backwards compatibility. This means the original rumor of no backward compatibility for applications holds to be true. That being said, there are high hopes of porting the NetCF to the newer platform easily.
-Microsoft is confident that devices will be ready by September 2010
-Full Zune Integration
-Windows Mobile Device Center will no longer be used. Zune software to take over syncing via PC.
-OEM Interfaces will not be allowed to run on the device. Say goodbye to Sense UI / SPB Mobile Shell / Point UI / Infinity, etc, etc
-Full XBOX Gaming Integration (Gamer tag, achievements, friends, avatars, merchandising, etc)
-Full support for social networking

Hang in there people we only have to wait for about a week before we can lay some of these rumors to rest. The MWC WM7 demo will be held behind closed doors so we will most likely miss the action but those who were invited to see the event could shed some light on what we could expect from WM7.

Just few days after announcing free 7-days navigation program for Android phones, NDrive officially presents the same solution for all Symbian and Windows Mobile phone users.

Features of NDrive :

• Wide offer of 7 Days free maps
• The highly effective search engine and fast calculations.
• Immediate and fast re-routing after missing a right turn
• Simple and intuitive user interface
• Advanced itineraries with multiple waypoints for trip planning
• Fast and easy calculation of alternative routes
• Adventure Mode can guide you while trekking, bike riding, on boats and even on light aircrafts.
• Fastest, Shortest, Car and Pedestrian modes
• Points of Interest (POIs) with phone/fax numbers, description, email and website addresses
• Navigating and searching for city centre, street names and numbers, crossings, postal codes, favourite places, recent locations, coordinates and nearby POIs
• + many more…

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SE-First ( via Pocketnow )has posted some high quality pictures of the Sony Ericsson Aspen. Here are some of the features

• Size: 117 x 60 x 12.45 mm
• Weight: 130 grams
• Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™, up to 16 GB
• Operating system: Windows Mobile® 6.5.3
• Battery capacity: 1500 mAh
• 65,536 colour TFT display
• 2.4 inches
• 240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)

• 3.5 mm audio jack
• A-GPS
• Micro USB connector
• age support
• USB support
• Wi-Fi™
• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®
• Handwriting recognition
• Microsoft Office® Mobile
• 3D games
• Facebook™
• FM radio with RDS
• Java™
• Skype™
• YouTube™

see more pics at SE-First

We have official confirmation that Steve Ballmer will be speaking at Mobile World Congress 2010. The news comes via msmobiles.com who found the following image via a microsoft website. Hope he will shed light on some of the biggest rumors to grace Windows Mobile in a long time – Project Pink, Zune phones, Windows Mobile 7. You know it has to be something big when Steve Ballmer takes the stage.

Since this is an invite only event I dont think there will be any live video feeds which will show what is showcased behind the closed doors. Remember what happened at CES ? the feeds will show a blank screen when a product demo goes on..

There is a new Windows Mobile device from Sony Ericsson. The front-facing keyboard device is codenamed Aspen. Some of the specs include

• QWERTY keyboard for single-handed usage
• 2.4-inch TFT touchscreen
• 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus
• Screen resolution 240 x 320 pixels
• powered by Windows Mobile 6.5.3 ( officially )
• available in selected markets from Q2 in Iconic Black and White Silver colors

The info on pricing is not available yet. Dont know if this will be picked up by any Australian Telcos.

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