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Review of update packs (AKU) for Windows Mobile 5.0
Updating and enhancing of any operating system are the things that seemingly will never stop. Groundbreaking changes get introduced in case a company is about to shift up the version of its OS, like it happened to Windows Mobile 2003 upgraded to Windows Mobile 5.0. However, when various fixes are many, but at the same time they cannot constitute a new version, already existing operating system obtains a suffix, indicating its advanced capabilities – for instance Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. Minor tweaks tend to pop up frequently and aim mostly at patching up actual version of operating system.
In Windows Mobile’s case such updates go by the name of Adaptation Kit or Adaptation Kit Update (or simply AKU abbreviation, which we will use throughout this review) – they usually patch up existing bugs and enable several new features. Each newly released AKU pack retains fixes found in previous versions of AKU, so in order to emphasize the most crucial fixes carried by AKU, the company sometimes turns to Feature Pack (FP) term, adopted from S60 platform. Significance-wise, Nokia S60’s FP and Windows Mobile’s AKU are on a par with each other, thus FP term applied to Windows Mobile has more of a marketing move rather than actual necessity in it.
Before the release (expounding this in Microsoft’s own terms - release to manufacturing or RTM), each AKU undergoes stages of alpha- and beta-testing within Microsoft and manufacturers (OEM/ODM). Once the partners have received the final (RTM) version of an update pack, it takes them at least 120 days to embed it in new devices, and it can’t be helped, for Microsoft needs these 4 months to fix critical errors and tackle missing functions. Just remember how long Windows Mobile 5.0 was getting to the first widely available device.
In this article we will review all released to date AKU versions for Windows Mobile 5.0 in order of appearance. On the whole, majority of changes incorporated into each pack are related both to WM for PPC and WM for Smartphone – in these cases we won’t make any comments, however should an update be specific for either WM for PPC or WM for Smartphone only, you will see a special note standing next to it.
Review of Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC
Review of Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone
Our readers had the chance to look into the brand-new Windows Mobile 5.0 with the help of the world’s first review published on our page and today you are going to learn more about AKU 3.0 at first hand as well. But as we’ve promised a few lines above, the review starts with the very fist AKU versions.
How to find out which version is installed on your smartphone/communicator? Very simple – all you have to do is call up About window (Start/Settings/System), the last three digits (look like x.x.x) indicate AKU edition used on your device. However in this review only the two first ones will matter.
Adaptation Kit Update 0.1 и 0.2
Being a part of the very first updates wave, these packs focus on patching up errors of the original WM 5.0 (for example impossibility to make an emergency call when the device is locked). In their turn, manufacturers have acquired insignificant (from the point of view of end-users) possibilities, such as editable Help files (Pocket PC), control over default wallpapers transparency (Pocket PC), and ability to switch off auto words completion. As you see, alterations are so minor, that end-users could hardly notice that there were any at all.
Adaptation Kit Update 1.0
This update pack shows off loads of new features and patchworks, especially on the imaging front – owing to the developed features the corresponding application’s functionality has been greatly extended. Nevertheless manufacturers of gadgets which actually hit the shelves of retail stores give more preference to own interfaces and thus all Microsoft’s efforts have ended up being overlooked.
One of the most notable additions for WM for Smartphone platforms lies in landscape screen mode support (which was quite predictable, since back then announcement of Moto Q was not too far-out). Another update for smartphones is the possibility to manage these devices without a SIM card – before a plugged in SIM was a must in order to start up a phone. There are also some other steps taken towards unification of Pocket PC and Smartphone platforms.
Messaging part has gotten tuned a bit as well – checking for incoming mail at defined intervals can be assigned to all mailboxes set up in Outlook Mobile. Before, users were at liberty to make only one mailbox retrieve mail on schedule – all other accounts were to be managed manually. On top of that, the developers have added sorting by message type (for instance, in order to move apart SMS and MMS), however that tweak proves to be completely useless, when a manufacturer applies special folders for SMS and MMS.
One more extra feature for smartphones makes it possible to dial, save in the phonebook or send a SMS to a telephone number received in a message’s body and all that without leaving “View mode”. Surely, it is a really handy function.
Smartphones’ call logs have gotten amplified with the capability to send a short message or MMS to any record found on these lists. Nevertheless it is only the way everything was meant to be, in reality MMS gets replaced with E-mail, even for telephone numbers missing in the phonebook.
Pocket PC platform has been provided with FDN (fixed dialing numbers) feature, requiring PIN2 code – it allows limiting telephone numbers which users can call and send messages to. This function had been available on ordinary phones back then, but for some reasons it made it to Windows Mobile powered communicators a bit later.
When alarm clock is turned on, Today screen displays a corresponding bell-looking icon near time and date.
Pocket PC are now empowered with a full-fledged SIM contacts support, which are shown in the end of general contacts list and can be moved to the main phonebook.
Function keys lock has been added to Pocket PC software shell too.
And the last, but not the least addition to the interface – should you reach the end of a list (contacts, messages stored in Inbox) after scrolling through the last item, you will be redirected to the list’s beginning, whereas before the only option was to scroll it all the way back. Next update packs enables manufacturers to turn this off.
Adaptation Kit Update 1.1
This update pack targets mostly at increasing performance of wireless connectivity.
Nominally, from this update onwards, AD2DP Bluetooth profile, transferring stereo-sound to a special Bluetooth headset without using wires, is officially supported, however in practice support for A2DP profile was disabled by default (it was rather a daring experiment and mediocre quality just proves this theory) – many manufacturers haven’t included it into new devices. Another boost of Bluetooth is capability to synchronize contacts with Bluetooth-powered car kit.
Wi-Fi connectivity has undergone a lot of minor changes – for example now user is shown the access point he is currently using, whether it is secure or not. Once a device tracks a new Wi-Fi access point, the pop-up notification displays its safety status – protected networks are market with a lock-looking icon in the general list; but in case you think it is too much of information, you can turn prompt windows off. Further more, the developers have taken care of numerous bugs regarding Wi-Fi performance.
This update pack also delivers official hard drives support (the Korean manufacturer had to make it work without this feature on its Samsung i300). Another fetching addition – fast screen rotation for Pocket PC only.
Adaptation Kit Update 2.0
This AKU comes included with the infamous Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) – since the magnitude of this software kit has grown important for Microsoft’s target audience, the company had nothing to do but embed it in AKU 2.0.
The next point of interest concerns the audience this update aims at – before the release one of alternative titles used inside the company was Enterprise Feature Pack. As the name implies, enterprise users are the ones who should squeeze most out of this AKU.
The major innovation provided in this update pack is support for Always Up to Date version 2 or briefly AUTDv2 (the very first version involved SMS messages as notifications coming from the server), which is more widely known as Microsoft Direct Push Technology. To put it simply, this function works in the following way: if a mobile device has established a permanent connection to a server (MS Exchange 2003 SP2 is required), then as soon as new data gets to the server (new letter, contact, or alteration in schedule), it will be immediately sent to the mobile device without burdening users with checking out for updates manually. In a nutshell, owing to this feature you will be able to keep yourself updated on all recent happenings. It might sound strange, but a smartphone/communicator at permanent GPRS/EDGE connection lasts not for several hours, but several days instead – overall lifetime depends on concrete model. But in the end it still makes an impressive total, especially with Direct Push being switched on (for example from 9 AM till 6 PM).
Naturally the application has been attuned to mobile devices, as data there is beamed over cellular networks. For more speedy transfers the tool applies GZIP compression, for less synchronization time – special «connection caching» utility. Support for Secure MIME (SMIME) is also included, so that users are now capable of reading signed and cipher messages. Further more, enterprise users can conduct search for contacts and addresses in a corporate contact book (Global Address Book Lookup, GAL).
Remote device security management allows MS Exchange administrators to set password requirements, block a device, and wipe important data that might harm the company’s business without having the corresponding device at hand.
Short note. Whether to enable Direct Push via Wi-Fi or not – it’s up to manufacturer to decide.
Basically, MSFP is an extensive subject to discuss, but it’s not the main goal of this very review after all. Those of you, who would like to find out more about this system, may look up in vast variety of articles published on the net:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/business/5/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/business/strategy
/mobiledeviceplatforms.msp
http://www.gartner.com/resources/129000/129022/security_in_win.pdf# search=%22gartner%20MSFP%20%22
http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/evaluation/features/mobility/default.mspx
Nonetheless, «Enterprise Feature Pack» definition cannot give you an idea of all improvements that AKU 2.0 brings inside – there are still many interesting aspects to tell about.
Many of you will be greatly surprised, but Internet Explorer Mobile found in AKU 2.0 has been significantly re-worked. Even though the main part of the update offers various types of patchwork, there are some new functions as well, like accelerated scrolling and Fast Back feature, support for compiled WML, WMLScript over HTTP and enhanced DOM standard.
Smartphones have obtained frames support; keys “2” and “8” now serve for Page Up/Down purposes.
The update pack also carries Wireless Manager application for handling wireless connections – with its help you can quickly turn on/off Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Flight mode, in other words it’s a multifunctional switch, where users may also access Wi-Fi/Bluetooth settings outright.
SIM Toolkit. SIM-menu for operators, proposing a standard feature list – before manufacturers had to deal with third-party solutions.
Similarly to what we saw in the previous update pack for smartphones, Pocket PCs can now process a telephone numbers received in a message’s body, submit it to the phonebook as separate entries or send a message to them.
This update pack also includes a feature which doesn’t appeal to many experienced Pocket PC users – instead of clock in the top status bar, we now see battery level indicator. However it is changed in AKU 2.2, where users are at liberty to choose what they would like to see in the top right corner of display.
Smartphones have acquired a bundled file browser – previously they made use of a third-party application. According to its title, it performed all basic operations with files, but couldn’t offer something more.
Adaptation Kit Update 2.1
The only notable feature of this update is dynamic switching between screen modes (landscape and portrait).
Adaptation Kit Update 2.2
Compatibility with ActiveSync has been gotten better owing to the advent of ActiveSync Serial Switch utility. New ActiveSync 4.x has been initially set to use the RNDIS transport layer, but now you are granted the freedom to switch back to the old way (applied in Windows Mobile 2003 and earlier releases) in case you’re experiencing issues with pairing the device up with a PC. The developers have also managed to cut down time required for starting up Pocket PC by 15 seconds on average due to amplified caching algorithms. All other alterations are either beyond attention or target at patching up bugs.
Adaptation Kit Update 2.3
This AKU can boast only patches for existing errors – new functions and features don’t stand out too much, so we have almost noting to tell about the 2.3.
Adaptation Kit Update 2.5
And this is another “feature-less” update; at least it contains nothing deserving a special note. We can point out only SmartDial from the Today screen for QWERTY-equipped smartphones and the option enabling manufacturers to change dialing font color (Samsung’s influence?).
Adaptation Kit Update 2.6
The only more or less noteworthy change found in this AKU – zooming (up to 2x) for video clips played back in Windows Media Player.
Adaptation Kit Update 3.0
So, we have finally made it to the latest update pack available, also known under the name of Venti. It retains a number of really crucial patches and tweaks, which we are going to dwell on. In fact, finding out whether your device is running on AKU 3.0 or not is incredibly simple – at start up you will see “Windows Mobile Direct Push Technology” against green background, this is actually all another way of laying stress on MSFP’s presence. Moreover, About window now features a note regarding availability of Messaging and Security Feature Pack as well.
We’ll start reviewing this AKU with new specific functions and features. And .NET Compact Framework version two (instead of ver. 1; feature can be customized by a manufacturer) is the one at the frontlines.
One of the best things about AKU 3.0 is so-called Language Provisioning, enabling local manufacturers to add as many languages to a device as its onboard memory can store (at that every dictionary takes up from 6 to 12 Mb, depending on given language).
However the bad thing here is that language can be chosen only once, after that all other packages are deleted automatically, even hard reset won’t change the system’s mind. Thankfully, manufacturers can disable that and keep all language packs on the main storage permanently, so that users could switch languages after hard reset. All in all it’s a very important piece of work, even though hard reset is still a must for changing language.
Wireless connectivity has also received a major boost – an all-round new Internet Sharing utility replaces Modem Link, and allows accessing Internet via Pocket PC or smartphone with the help of USB/Bluetooth connection. On top of that settings are one-sided, which means that you will have to adjust only your mobile device, while your PC should only have support for Bluetooth network profile onboard, at that Windows Mobile-powered device doubles as a Bluetooth access point rather than a remote modem. In a nutshell, all you have got to do is establish connection to the access point without any additional settings being required (for example Access Point defining, which was inevitable on connection via Bluetooth DUN profile).
New Wi-Fi connection wizard for smartphones helps a lot in configuring new Wi-Fi networks.
One of the most crucial improvements is support for WPA2 – the most secure Wi-Fi standard for the time being. However the developers have seemingly decided to give Wi-Fi all their efforts and embedded Wi-Fi Multimedia, also called Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS), which allows access point to modify bandwidth limit for each application – a really credible tool when it comes to IP-telephony and streaming multimedia applications.
Bluetooth connectivity has gotten enhanced as well: from now on it supports FTP profile, better handles A2DP, whose quality gave rise to criticism lately.
A really credible feature has been embedded in Internet Explorer Mobile –AJAX support (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), enabling you to create dynamic pages on a mobile device; gmail.com is apparently the most widely-known AJAX-based service.
Outlook Mobile has been modified as well – on first start up the system offers you to setup e-mail (POP3/IMAP or Exchange) step-by-step via a special wizard, whereas before it proposed only time and security settings. At that both manufacturers and operators can pre-define settings for most popular mail services and thus lighten the rest of work to do.
From now on it’s possible to navigate Pocket PC’s folders containing messages without drawing your stylus. Previously, inability to browse folders via menus was only of the greatest flaws of single-handed management of Windows Mobile 5.0-based devices.
Contacts can be now transferred via SMS (in vCard standard), and should you retrieve a short message containing a phonebook entry, you will be immediately offered to save it into your contacts.
Short messages can be saved on SIM-card. Messages stored on SIM-card are displayed in general list of messages.
You can now send messages via GPRS (SMS over GPRS), but for that you will have to make sure that your cellular operator offers support for this function.
Support for contacts stored on SIM-USIM card has been improved. From now on SIM card contacts are sorted by Name in general contacts list, instead of being placed into bottom of list as it used to be. In my opinion this is not so convenient, especially in case you have loads of contacts and they are partly backed up on SIM-card, in other words you will end up handling duplicated entries. It would have been better to make this feature optional.
We should also highlight fact that support for external displays has been added officially. As an experiment (function is still rather crude, but this will most likely be fixed in future) you can now assign MP3 ring tones to all events including SMS and reminders. Yet, it’s unknown whether this feature will be implemented into final release or not.
Conclusion
Throughout AKU’s history for Windows Mobile 5.0 we see how treatment of “infantile sicknesses” (it took years for Microsoft to realize that MP3 ring tones should be allowed for assignment to SMS and others) and correction of bugs have been initiated simultaneously with empowering the OS with new features, such as support for Microsoft Direct Push, WPA2, Language Provisioning and greatly improved Internet Explorer Mobile.
Nonetheless the most interesting part of the WM’s history is yet to come with the release of Microsoft Windows Mobile Crossbow (possible commercial title – Windows Mobile 5.0 Second Edition). One of the upcoming articles on Mobile-Review.com will be dedicated to this matter; our readers will be able to find out what WM Crossbow is all about several months ahead of its actual release.
Узнать все о коммуникаторах и смартфонах Qtek>>adv
Anton Kotov ([email protected])
Translated by Oleg Kononosov ([email protected])
Published - 07 September 2006
Credited and thanks so much to WINFONE7 in official windows phone 7 backstage forum by provide us these useful information. What I do is just copy and paste it here to share with XDA users and reduce the confusion.
So far we know Microsoft broke away from its native Windows Mobile stack and introduced a managed API platform for developers. Developers can use this platform to build third-party mobile apps that run on Microsoft Windows Phone OS 7.0 devices, which are expected at retail in October. The company's new line of attack rests on driving .NET developers and designers to use familiar tools and skill sets to build WP7 apps for a consumer marketplace. The WP7 application development platform is based on the Microsoft rich Internet application framework Silverlight, its gaming framework XNA and the .NET Compact Framework for micro devices. In February, Microsoft announced the XNA Framework -- which is used to build Xbox 360, Windows PC and Zune apps -- now supports Windows Phone and Silverlight. Microsoft is also leveraging its consumer-focused product channels and services by integrating Zune Media, Xbox Live and Windows Azure cloud services, a major focus throughout all of its products going forward. The Windows Phone System Design, which is code-named "Metro" for its allegiance to international signage in a clean layout with an original typeface, is closer to the Microsoft media player Zune HD than Windows. WP7 applications will be distributed through the Windows Phone Marketplace -- accessible via an integrated "hub" on all WP7 devices -- and through desktop PCs. In a model that's similar to the Apple App Store, developers can monetize their apps and earn up to 70 percent of revenues from applications that pass the Microsoft certification requirements. WP7 features an Office hub with Excel, Word, OneNote, SharePoint integration and networking in Silverlight, with Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), HttpWebRequest and WebClient. The user's personalized content on the phone drives the contextual experience, from live dynamic tiles on the Start screen to task--oriented hubs that offer a wider-than-the-screen panoramic view. Developers can build apps that take up a single screen, plug in to a Windows Phone app like the photo editor, or build hub-based panoramic experiences. You'll be able to create apps that look and feel like the Windows Phone apps that come in the box, but you'll also be able to go away from that. If you want to build a video game that's full screen and doesn't use any of the look-and-feel of Windows Phone, you can certainly do that as well. Microsoft is trying to ensure a consistent user experience for end users on both the hardware and software platforms. The WP7 devices, despite having different manufacturers, will all use an ARMv7 architecture with Cortex/Scorpion processor (or better) from Qualcomm Inc., a unified graphics subsystem (DirectX9), only two screen sizes and support capacitive touchscreens with four contact points. Other hardware specifications include 256MB RAM, 8GB Flash and a 5MP camera. First-generation WP7 devices will ship with a 800x480 WVGA touchscreen, with 480x320 HVGA expected sometime after the launch. When the second resolution is shipped, application and game developers will be expected to support both.WP7 supports standard phone-specific functionality and sensors that developers can tap into, such as location (Wi-Fi, cellular and GPS) and map control (Bing), compass, light proximity and accelerometer and push notifications. The location API works with Windows Azure cloud services. Despite the uniformity, WP7 devices will be available in different form factors; so far three prototypes have been shown. Chassis 1 is the ASUS phone used in engineering and demos by Microsoft with the onscreen keyboard. A second design is a sliding QWERTY keyboard by LG Electronics; the third is the Samsung slab-style phone.
I don't think these are final representations. Manufacturers are getting a great deal of flexibility in the look and feel of the phone. There will be a lot of innovation and industrial designs that are going to be available between now and the foreseeable future.
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Q: Will my current Windows Mobile phone get a Windows Phone 7 (WP7) update?
A: It's been announced that no current WinMo phone device (inc. the HD2) will be receiving an official WP7 update.
Q: How much will a WP7 phone cost; Who will manufacturer the phone?
A: WP7 isn't a phone, it's an all new Mobile Operating System from Microsoft. WP7 devices will be available from several device makers; HTC, Dell, LG, Samsung, Asus, etc. Prices will vary and is expected to be along the lines of current smartphone pricing.
Q: When will WP7 phone devices be available?
A: According to the announcement from Microsoft, phones will be available for the Holiday season, speculation is some of the first devices will be announced late September. Official release is rumored to be in October for Europe and November for the United States.
Q: Which US wireless service providers, will offer WP7 phones?
A: All the major wireless service providers in the US will offer WP7 phone devices. AT&T was announced as a Premier partner; might be the first to offer a WP7 phone or/and sell exclusive devices or features.
Q: Will there be Copy & Paste?
A: As it stands, No, this feature will not be available at release, according to Microsoft, WP7 will have smart links / smart sensing, this takes away the need for the copy/paste method in many situations. Smart links; which recognize a block of text, such as a hyperlink, phone number, or address, allow a specific action to be taken.
For a phone number, such "smart links" would allow the number to be dialed. An address might get pulled up in the mapping program, while clicking on a hyperlink would open that page in the browser. Implementing Copy/Paste would delay WP7's release, so MS is giving us the smart sensing feature at release, but several sources have reported Copy/Paste will come in form of an early update, but there is no official confirmation from Microsoft as of yet.
Q. Does Windows Phone support multitasking?
A.Yes, WP7 supports full out multitasking but 3rd party applications will not be allowed to run in the background unless it is through a MS service; instead the app will be paused when changing to another app., (Dehydrated state). This will allow the app to be brought back to the exact same state it was in before it was paused; reducing the strain on the phone's resources. (Hydrated state) (iPhone OS4 multitasking is similar)
Scenario: If an application is running when you the user switches to another application (by using the Start menu, or tapping on a notification, or via some other means) then the assumption as a platform is that the user now wants to focus on the new application, and doesn’t want the previous one interrupting their experience by grabbing memory, CPU, network bandwidth, or other resources. When an application is suspended, during this time, the application can save global state to disk, sign-off from web sites, or perform other clean-up operations. In general this should be relatively simple, because the page-based model of Windows Phone applications facilitates a relatively stateless programming model – much of your application’s state can be encoded in page URIs (as query-string data) or as small blobs of state, stored and retrieved on each page navigation, just like the web. After your application has finished pausing, it will be suspended and no further user code will execute. Note that you can still have push notifications coming in from the cloud, so the user can be kept up-to-date via toasts or you can have your tile updated with the latest information from the web. When your application is suspended, it is not killed immediately. If the user returns to the application “soon” then it can be resumed very quickly and the state saved during pause may not even be necessary. But if the user launches other applications that end up needing a lot of memory, your process will be killed and the memory will be relinquished to the foreground application. This is a key difference between Windows Phone 7 and previous versions of Windows Mobile – the foreground application gets access to virtually all the resources on the phone (memory, CPU, etc.) without having to worry about being starved by background apps that are doing random things at unpredictable times in the background.
If your process was not killed, resume is trivial – you don’t need to restore any state from disk, but you may need to re-start device features like accelerometer or location, and you may need to re-connect to any web services. Assuming your process was killed, the app uses the previously-saved data from pause to re-create your global state, and the per-page state / query-string data to recreate the page state for each page on the back stack. The end result of all this is that users can switch back and forth between applications and have the illusion of full multi-tasking without the downside of erratic resource usage.
Q. Will I be able to customize my OS?
A.Not to the extent you could in WinMo, but in some respects - yes. The O.S. will not allow extreme tweaking. However, it is known that there are at least two themes (black on white and white on black...more are speculated to come at launch) and the tile colors can be changed currently to your choice of six colours. On a deeper level, such as modifying the underlying OS and accessing the file system - it may not be possible to do this "out of the box".
Q: Is WP7 geared just toward the consumer market only?
A: No, WP7 offers many business features at release and will continue to add more.
Business features of the WP7 OS:
Is built from the ground up using industry best practices in secure software development (Secure Development Lifecycle).
Deeply Integrates email, calendar and contacts with Exchange Server enabling rich, seamless email and calendar management to enhance productivity.
Integrates with SharePoint through the SharePoint Workspace client, enabling enhanced collaboration through offline document access and syncing.
Helps protect corporate informationby securing the device through PINs and passwords. Information is further protected by not allowing access to data via PC tethering or support for removable SD cards. In addition, Windows Phone 7 supports IT managed EAS policies such as Require Password, Password Strength, Remote Wipe and Reset to Factory Settings with multiple failed unlock attempts.
Helps ensure data reliability and integrity through application sandboxing and managed code.Windows Phone 7 ensures communications channels between applications cannot be opened and critical system resources cannot be accessed. Most malware threats are introduced through the browser. IE Mobile helps ensure that malicious code cannot be launched from web sites, thus reducing this threat.
Provides certification and verification of applications and content through Windows Phone Marketplace, further enhancing security.
Enables secure data transmission through 128 or 256 Bit SSL Encryption.
Supports secure accessto on-premise applications and network resources using Forefront Universal Access Gateway (UAG).
Is future ready with cloud / services integration. Through the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), Microsoft offers hosted Exchange and SharePoint services. Windows Phone 7 will support mobile access to BPOS from Outlook Mobile and the Office Hub.
Check out Windows Phone for business:
www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/business/default.mspx">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/business/default.mspx
Q: What are the hardware specifications for the WP7 devices.
A: Microsoft put an end to freestyle design. Minimum hardware requirements are as follows:
Screen
Capacitive touch with 4 or more contact points
WVGA (800×480) or HVGA (480×320) resolution
No screen size requirements announced; rumors for Chassis 1 is 3.6" or larger.
Sensors
A-GPS, Accelerometer, Compass, ambient Light, Proximity sensor
Camera
5 mega pixels or more, flash required, camera shutter button required
Multimedia
No detailed specs, Codec Acceleration
Memory
256 MB RAM or more, 8 GB Flash or more
GPU
DirectX 9 and video acceleration
CPU
ARMv7 Cortex/Scorpion (1GHz) or better
5 Required Hardware Buttons
On/Off & Camera. These three, Start, Search (BING), and Back must be fixed to the front of the device.
Q: Will WP7 phones have a slide-out keyboard; what form factor will the phones be?
A: Several sources confirm that there will be three Chassis/form factors at this stage.
Chassis 1 (first devices to hit the market): Will be a slab, large touch screen with high performance specs, no hardware keyboard. Ex: HTC's rumored HD3 pictured, with a 4.5" screen.
Chassis 2: described as a portrait device with a sliding keyboard, DELL Lightning pictured, assumed to be this form factor.
Chassis 3: All we know is that it may have a smaller screen and rumors are that it may be a BB Curve or Palm Centro styled form factor.
Rumored WP7 devices
(W-stands for world phone; CDMA & GSM)
Based on research I've come across. Not confirmed.
HTC
Gold_W - Sprint
Shubert - GSM
Mondrian - GSM
Spark_W - Verizon
Scorpio, aka Olympian - Verizon
Mozart - GSM
T8788 (slide out speaker) - GSM - AT&T
HD7 (rumored to be HD3)
LG
GW910, aka Panther - GSM/CDMA
E900 - GSM
C900 - GSM
Optimus - GSM
Samsung
I917, aka Cetus
Taylor
SGH i707
i8700
DELL
Lightning - GSM
ASUS
Name unknown
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Make your PC look like WP7!
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/13901/make-your-pc-look-like-windows-phone-7/
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Device Connectivity (From the Windows Phone 7 Developer Forums)
Is ActiveSync still used to connect the device to the PC?
No, synchronization is automatic similar to the way the Zune HD connects to the PC.
How should I transfer information over the Internet?
Web technologies such as HTTPGET and WebServices are supported as methods of communicating on the Internet. You can also use Push Notifications for communication when your application is not running.
Can I use Sockets for peer to peer communication?
Windows Phone 7 Series currently does not expose the Socket classes. While the version of Silverlight on the phone follows closely the feature list for Silverlight 3 on the desktop, it is a subset of those features and will not contain all classes. (It also holds a superset of classes not available in Silverlight 3.)
How can I connect with another client in real-time?
Peer-to-peer communication is not supported with this initial release of Windows Phone 7 Series. We are always evaluating the needs of our developers and users though and it may be determined that this feature be added in the future.
From the Windows Phone 7 Developer Forums
Thanks dscammell
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VOICE/SPEECH RECOGNITION:
Great article on what Microsoft has in store for WP7's www.computerworld.com/s/article/9180144/Microsoft_hopes_WP_7_speech_features_surpass_Android_iPhone">http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...s_WP_7_speech_features_surpass_Android_iPhone
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Info about Microsoft's Azure Cloud
Currently Azure cloud includes:
LiveMesh
Skydrive
Microsoft’s HealthVault service
energy-monitoring Hohm service
Services currently not running on Azure: but will eventually.
Hotmail
Xbox Live
Microsoft’s hosted Exchange Online
SharePoint Online
CRM Online
Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS)
Danger services for mobile devices
Microsoft hasn’t provided a timetable as to when it will transfer all services to Azure but one thing is certain WP7 will be highly integrated with cloud services. The thought of having all this and other services MS is currently working on, gives WP7 fans a reason to get excited.
Windows Phone 7 Series Developer General FAQ
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Fo...s/thread/2892a6f0-ab26-48d6-b63c-e38f62eda3b3
Thanks again to WINFONE7
Cheers...hope this help....
Hey guys
I'm an entrepreneur from Brisbane, Australia. I'm looking into introducing a new product and am wondering if you guys would be able to help me clarify a few questions. I have to add I have no idea what so ever about programming languages or whats possible or not. I just going to post my vision of the application I will need and hope some of you guys can tell me what of that will be possible, what not and how much effort / money it would take to realise.
Firstly of all and most importantly I need the the Phone application to work with several other systems which would be at the moment : - Iphone, Facebook, Windows Mobile, Blackberry Android, a Website interface, Windows Vista / 7 and Mac OS. I need this to work in two ways. One for the user to sync their data on different apps and secondly for the admin to receive and send data from the main system (that would be working on Windows or Mac)
On first interface the user would have to log in with a username and password, high security would be welcome, after the log in the general interface should be offering the user a booking request form with the ability to use a saved lists of items which have been previously use / prepared but also a interface for add one or editing
It also should offer a open bookings lists and the ability to edit this lists. This should also be able to be synced to the other systems. A third interface showing a history and updates should be also available.
If possible it should offer different accounts and groups where admins can edit the bookings of other users. If this is possible it also should offer a control for the admins which shows bookings and history of other group users.
I would like this obviously to be a professional looking app which offers a good service and is secure and bug free. If anyone has an idea if this is realisable or what parts of it would be difficult or have to be changed please do me the favour and comment.
Thank you for your help in advance.
JPM
On July 15, 2011 Microsoft will no longer accept new Windows Mobile 6.x applications or application updates. In addition it will no longer be possible to modify prices, metadata or other information. You will be able to remove apps by contacting support.
Windows Mobile apps will be available for download/purchase after July 15th as will reporting and payouts.
What ???
It's very very very bad :\
But i don't understand a thing, microsoft want to devellop Windows Embedded Handeld (wm6.5.3), so, if they stop the Marketplace, will be there a replacement ??
And what about microsoft myPhone ? I love this service, and i hope that we could continu to use it !!
I hope news about the Microsoft team !
Here is the email I got:
May 16, 2011
Dear Windows Marketplace for Mobile Developer,
We are excited about the momentum we have with Windows Phone. Since we launched Windows Phone last fall, technical reviews have been very positive and, most importantly, customer satisfaction has been extremely high. Moreover, our Windows Phone Marketplace continues to grow at a fast pace. It now features more than 15,000 apps and games and there are over 40,000 registered developers.
At MIX we announced that in May we will release the beta version of the Windows Phone Developer Tools for the next version of Windows Phone, code-named "Mango," which we are still on track to do. The Mango release will be made available to users later this year, and it represents the next step in our continued focus on advancing the Windows Phone platform and expanding the opportunity for developers.
To innovate faster on the Windows Phone Marketplace, we are scaling back our investments in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile service. We are sharing this plan with you, in advance, so that you can make thoughtful plans and preparations.
• App Submission and Management. On July 15, 2011, we will no longer be accepting new Windows Mobile 6.x applications or application updates. In addition, it will no longer be possible to modify prices, metadata, or other information. However, you will still be able to remove your apps by contacting support.
• App Distribution. Even though app submission will stop on July 15, users will still be able to purchase and download your Windows Mobile 6.x applications through the Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
• App Reporting. Sales and download reports will continue to be available for your Windows Mobile 6.x applications through the App Hub after July 15.
• Developer Payouts. Developer payouts will continue to be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Windows Phone Marketplace Application Provider Agreement.
Additional information regarding the scaling back of our investment in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile will be shared over the coming months as plans become finalized.
We would like to thank you for being part of our Windows Marketplace for Mobile developer community, and we look forward to helping you build more Windows Phone applications.
For more information, please visit the App Hub Forum. For further assistance, please contact support directly.
Thank you for your support,
The Windows Phone Marketplace Team
WTF????
what about us?!?!?!?
I (we) prefer still with WM 6.5 why they do this to us?
where can I send my bad opinion about it?
thanks!
Bad News
This is really a bad news . May be MS want all users to move to /develop for Win Phone 7... but what abt the existing users who are still staying with 6.5.x
I hope My Phone server will remain active as that is a part of their service.
Yes !! My Phone is very very useful !!!
And what about the futur of Windows Embedded Handeld??
Sorry to be late posting this but it contains information about the shutdown of 'My Phone' and the Windows Mobile App Store on the Web:
Shut-down of Windows Marketplace for Mobile Web Site and My Phone Service Notification
June 8, 2011
Dear Windows Mobile 6.x customer:
Microsoft will be discontinuing the My Phone service for Windows Mobile 6.x. We will also be discontinuing the Windows Marketplace for Mobile web site. Because you may be affected, please review the details below:
Windows Marketplace for Mobile Web Site To Be Discontinued
The Windows Marketplace for Mobile web site at http://marketplace.windowsphone.com will no longer be available starting on July 15, 2011. After July 15, 2011, you will no longer be able to browse, buy or download applications for Windows Mobile 6.x phones via the Windows Marketplace for Mobile web site.
The Windows Marketplace for Mobile service will continue to be available on your phone, however. You will continue to be able to browse, buy and download applications for Windows Mobile 6.x on your phone.
My Phone To Be Discontinued
On August 7, 2011, the My Phone service will stop saving content from phones to the My Phone service. If you rely on the My Phone service to back-up the content on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone, you will be affected.
Starting on August 7, 2011, Microsoft will begin moving your My Phone content to Windows Live SkyDrive. SkyDrive is Microsoft's free online storage service that helps you access and share your files such as photos and Microsoft Office documents. Contacts, calendar entries, text messages and photos will be moved to SkyDrive for you. Once moved, you will be able to access this content by logging into SkyDrive using the Windows Live ID that you used to register for the My Phone service.
Other content types, including videos, music, documents and favorites will not be moved from My Phone to SkyDrive for you. If you want this content, you must save it from the My Phone service to your local PC.
On October 6, 2011, the My Phone web site at http://www.microsoft.com/myphone will no longer be available. On this date, you will no longer be able to log in to the My Phone service to access your content stored to the My Phone service. Microsoft will continue to store your My Phone content for one (1) year. Physical copies of your content can be shipped to you upon request until October 5, 2012.
Take Action
To learn more about the My Phone service shut-down, including information about your content moving to Windows Live SkyDrive and how to save other content to your local PC, please visit this web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2557520
Microsoft is committed to making this transition easy. In the meantime, we want to sincerely thank you for your use of Windows Mobile 6.x.
-The Windows Phone Team
I think this just made the transition to Android a little easier and moved up my date also.
I heard that Microsoft is currently sponsoring a contest for developers called the "Go Mango Apportunity Contest".
Every time you publish an app between now and December 31, 2011, you get an entry to win one of five Samsung slate tablet pcs. In addition, each time you publish 5 apps during this time period, you also get an entry to win free advertising for one app you made of your choice. The free advertising will run on the Windows Phone Application Network for about 60 days and include 25K impressions.
New developers to Windows Phone are especially welcome. If you're new to developing for Windows Phone or new to developing (programs for mobile operating systems) in general, I see this a great opportunity to get your program (idea) out there and get some recognition for it. If you've developed for Android or iOS, I found a "translation guide" that gives you the Windows Phone equivalent for the Android or iOS programming concept. The url for it is http://windowsphone.interoperabilitybridges.com/porting. If you don't have the new Mango SDK yet (or are working with an earlier version of the Windows Phone SDK, you can find it at http://bit.ly/GoMango.
More details and the code (and url) needed for entry (it's totally free to enter) can be be found at http://bit.ly/rEB5PY
Edit: If you can't get to the site, the code needed to enter is: E8YRA
Update (11-25-11): If you are using Azure in your Windows Phone app that you publish, not only do you get the 1 normal entry into the Apportunity contest, but you also get 1 extra entry as well just for using Azure in your Windows Program app.
Also, for students, for every 3 apps you publish into the contest, you can get a free phone running Windows Phone.
More details can be found here: http://bit.ly/uqdKLe