Mobility Digest » Windows Mobile 6.5

Windows Mobile Interview: XDA TV Throwback Episode

Albert Bunn — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:40:57 +0000

Hey there, it’s Albert again. I haven’t posted an entry in a little bit because I’ve been pretty busy lately, but I thought I’d like to write again and shed some light on a spectacular YouTube video I watched around a week ago. For some of you that haven’t been there, one of the only other blogs beside Mobility Digest (that I know of anyway) that posts anything about Windows Mobile 6 anymore is XDA DEVELOPERS, and the other day I saw something on their YouTube channel that really caught my eye: They did sort of an interview between “Azrienoch” and “CajunFlavoredBob”. They talked a little bit about how “CajunFlavoredBob” got into Windows Mobile (and later their forum) and his past devices and his current HD2 and why he liked Windows Mobile and continues to use it to this very day. The almost eight minute video features interesting nuggets of information starting with where the name “XDA DEVELOPERS” came from – which led them into exposing to the world that British people have cell phones, and that one of those foreign carriers got one of HTC’s devices custom branded as the “XDA”. He shared about his first phone device, the HTC “Wallaby” and really nailed exactly what I thought about how the market has changed: We’re moving into higher end, yet more disposable devices. If I’m not mistaken, the launch cost of the Samsung i700 was in the $600 neighborhood, and you can get powerful smartphones today on contract for next to nothing which seems to be really hurting the industry to me. What this does is it screws up the value of everything – any mobile handheld now depreciates faster than video games pertaining to sports.

Anyway, “Bob” goes on to tell us about some more evolutionary HTC Windows Mobile handhelds which included the well known Blue Angel, the original HTC Touch, the Titan, Touch Pro, and the Touch Pro 2. He went into a little more detail on his Touch Pro 2 and held it up beside the Wizard to demonstrate how deep HTC’s “Sense/Manila” made it into the system before Microsoft screwed over the Windows Mobile userbase. From there, they moved on to talking about how (little) the messaging program changed over the years and how our messaging habits as a culture have evolved before he kind of got ready to wrap up the video.

Toward the end, he shared how he had tried Android on his HD2, but it just didn’t “feel” the same to him, and while he said he was learning, Windows Mobile is still his “Daily Driver”. After this part, they add in a random clip of their weird girl and she told her HD2 story (ironically, she basically just ranted about why she didn’t like it), and then “Cajun” comes back and talks a little bit more about holding onto his HD2 for the immediate future since he could still run the “modern” Android platform but also be able to use Windows Mobile which he (and still many of us) are comfortable with. To conclude they shared some “deep” thoughts about how since Windows Mobile 6 had no real successor, it will be tough for many of us to say “goodbye” and admit that the platform is kind of almost “dead”, although it will certainly live on here and on XDA Developers for a very very long time.

::AB

Artemis HD2 ROM Updated (HTC HD2) (version 64.0) (8/26)

Albert Bunn — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:25:25 +0000

For all our HD2 owners surfing the blog here, popular ROM author Sternas has released yet another update to his ever popular Artemis HD2 Custom ROM for HTC’s revolutionary HD2. Version 64.0 was more of a simpler performance upgrade with just a few modifications made “under the hood” for memory and performance, but still a good looking ROM packed full of useful goodies and preinstalled software, while not overdoing it. Sternas has a vast number of screenshots of the ROM that can only be described as a multitude so that you can get a pretty good idea of what Artemis HD2 looks like before you even put it on your device (I know I am personally a little “leary” sometims myself of ROM threads without screenshots). For those of you fortunate enough to still own what is arguably still the best mobile phone ever built, head on down to Sternas’s thread at XDA DEVELOPERS to learn more abut the Artemis HD2 ROM.

::AB

Smooth YouTube Downloader Updated (version 2.1)(8/31)

Albert Bunn — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:17:53 +0000

On August 31st, popular XDA DEVELOPERS member Zorc released version 2.1 of one of the community’s favorite Windows Mobile freeware tools, Smooth YouTube downloader. Since its inception, Smooth YouTube Downloader has helped the prolific community of Windows Mobile device holders around the world to download YouTube videos to their device’s more reliable onboard storage or media card without having to worry about data speeds, network coverage, or WEP keys. While ironically many companies are trying to move our “personal belongings” to overloaded “cloud servers” in the sky that require constant and reliable network access, having your files with you reduces the wait and saves precious battery life, not to mention the bandwidth that would’ve been otherwise wasted (which isn’t a good thing in this day and age with so many carriers charging massive costs for extremely small amounts of data). Smooth YouTube downloader comes with a nifty skin and allows you to pick the desired resolution for your download from QVGA size FLV files to WXGA size MP4s and everything inbetween. The program itself supports many common device resolutions too from QVGA to WVGA so that more Windows Mobile enthusiasts can enjoy the software, thanks to Zorc.

::AB

SciLor’s GrooveMobile Alpha 20 Released

Albert Bunn — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:13:15 +0000

Once again, renowned Windows Mobile Developer SciLor has another incredible Windows Mobile release with the introduction of a new version of his popular GrooveMobile (alpha 20, updated August 31st) software. For years, SciLor’s GrooveMobile has helped smartphone users to listen to most any song available on GrooveShark without having to pay for or download the track. While many developers have strayed from the formidable platform that Windows Mobile 6 offers, SciLor is still on the front line and continues to release updates to his GrooveMobile and GrooveDownloaderWM software as needed, in addition to a host of other useful utilities for Windows, Android, and plugins for the “Chrome” browser. GrooveMobile is perfect for those songs that you don’t like quite enough to download and put on your device, but sometimes get bored enough to listen to. It is also great for discovering new music as it has a tab that will show you the software’s hottest selections. When you’ve racked up a formidable playlist of music that you really like, you can grab a copy of SciLor’s GrooveDownloaderWM to download the music as an .MP3 file to your handheld that you can listen to anytime.

::AB

Elite Series ROM for HTC Diamond Updated

Albert Bunn — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 01:56:05 +0000

This past July, popular Diamond chef 2 Bunny made a long awaited update to his ever popular Elite ROM series. Updates had been coming rather slowly as the last release had been Spring Break of 2011 and Thanksgiving of 2010. This time, 2 Bunny has made some significant upgrades and fixes in this version of Elite to make it the most complete version ever. The ROM thread tells the story of the ROM’s humble beginnings when 2 Bunny simply could not find a ROM he could depend on and how after asking around a few threads, he found his way to the Diamond OMJ kitchen, and later a special modified version of the Calkulin kitchen that he found by chance on Mediafire. From there, he spent many painstaking hours monitoring countless registry changes in Kheb and fixing them with Agent Ransack. Unlike other chefs, 2 Bunny still talks in the thread and updates the ROM as needed, even after others have “quit” the Diamond ROM development scene. Even to this day, Elite remains a community favorite and is even touted by one PPCGeeker as, “better than Energy Rom”.

If you’re still on the CDMA HTC Diamond and want an excellent Light alternative to the stock ROM, 2 Bunny’s “Elite” may be for you. Head on over to the thread over at PPCGeeks.

::AB

New Version of CR192 DESIRE ROM Available for HD2 Owners (8/19–Version 6.5.3.1.4b)

Albert Bunn — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:35:22 +0000

: CRACING’s Latest HD2 ROM Offering: The CR192 Desire ROM

While some people have thought that the Windows Mobile scene is dead, the persistent members over at XDA Developers continue to prove them wrong once again with “CRACING”’s release of the next installment to the CR192 DESIRE ROM series for HTC’s Milestone HD2 handheld. The latest version hit WUpload and Megaupload on the 19th of this month proving that the Windows Mobile ROM community is far from dead. While CRACING seems to be relatively new to the scene, the ROM’s thread looks fantastic and was brilliantly illustrated by CRACING himself. Even though CR192 has not been available even two weeks yet, it has already been recognized by a member of the forum as “one of the best roms ever” despite its relatively short three pages of feedback in the thread. CR192 Desire is the successor to the massively successful Febuary release “Vibrant GTX” ROM (available in the CR192 thread as well). While some people prefer to run Android on their HD2s, the rest of the community has spoken, and the CR192 DESIRE ROM series is the clear choice for HD2 users who want to get the most out of their handheld.

::AB

GczII Geocaching Software Updated to version .2.35.76 (7/1)

Albert Bunn — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:20:05 +0000

New Version of NICQUE's popular freeware program, GCzII is released

NICQUE, the popular author of Windows Mobile freeware released a brand new version of GczII on July 1st (version “0.2.35.76”). GczII is a popular freeware Geocaching.com client, where you can search for geocaches by Zipcode, cache name, author’s name, trackables, and of course geographical distance from your current GPS location. For those of you not familiar, Geocaching is a sport which (after registering for a free account on their website) allows you access to the coordinates for thousands and thousands of geocaches worldwide. Each geocache is a container hidden somewhere in public which can be located with the coordinates provided for it on Geocaching.com, which can get you around 10-30 feet from the “cache” (from there, GPS is too imprecise and you must use your wits to find the spoils). When you get to the cache (these can be in parks, parking lots, off a hiking trail, etc.), you can sign the logbook and if the cache is physically large enough (the size of the cache varies wildly – usually a small plastic box though), exchange small trinkets. When you get home, you also sign the log on the site.

GczII saves the user the hassle of not only needing to have a separate GPS receiver, but you also do not have to print off countless cache pages or worry about typing the coordinates just perfectly into a secondary receiver. It is a “green” solution, and also much easier.

::AB

HTC’s HD2 reinvents itself once more with Mango

Doug Smith — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:09:53 +0000

Easily the most versatile device ever created from developers standpoint has reinvented itself once. The HTC HD2 which originally came to the party dressed in Windows Mobile shed it’s clothing and wore more operating systems than any other device we can think of. Of course the Android ports are now legendary, and Ubuntu has been spotted as well. There is even a MeeGo movement on XDA trying to get some traction. But what about the fruit goodness we all have been talking about coming soon to a Windows Phone device near you? We are talking about Mango and you can add that to the list of HD2 operating systems that have been ported over.

XDA member HD2Owner is the developer for “the world’s first hd2 green mango (five languages) – DFT Mango Build 7592” This is a fully functioning ROM that even though is still in a Beta stage, has very few issues other than the MArketplace not working and HTML 5 in this build is not functional. Check out these videos and see for yourself:

So what does Microsoft have to say about some “enthusiastic” developers getting their hands on the Mango Build and porting it over to the HD2?:

“We say tinker away with Mango and enjoy the juice,” Microsoft spokesman Bill Cox said in a statement to AllThingsD. “But beware the fine print — unlocking phones may void your warranty.”

Microsoft has always said that Mango would be a free update to all existing Windows Phones as soon as it was officially released after being tested. This is a 180 from the days long past when Windows Mobile ports were always catching heat on XDA. Maybe even a glimmer of hope in some peoples eyes who would see the Redmond giant in a far less positive light. Regardless, everyone agrees that making mango available to developers will only help Microsoft come back to the party and contend with the Android Kool Aid drinkers as well as iPhone (cough) fan boys.

While it was necessary to part with my beloved T9391, it still has a place etched my heart. For all you current HD2 owners, enjoy the power of the developer community as the HD2 continues to reinvent itself over and over again.

[Read: XDA via WMPU & AllThingsD]

Don’t sell your HTC HD2 just yet, WP7 still might be Possible!

Doug Smith — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:01:18 +0000

Microsoft was real quick to put the kibosh on Windows Phone 7 coming as an update to the HTC HD2 when the HD2 was released. There was a lot of people who thought that it would be ported and there was nothing to worry about. It has been quite a while since then and there has not been a lot of news on the subject until today. CotullaCode via Twitter has released a video of the HTC HD2 booting WP7 which has given me hope again that my beloved HD2 might still have some life left in after all. Microsoft is having their big WP7 announcement party this Monday, but we all know that the initial release of WP7 here in the US will not have the large 4.3 HD2 Screen. The HD7 running WP7 will instead launch in Europe first. After toting around my HD2 for so long, it will be difficult to go back to a sub 4 inch screen again, so let’s all keep our fingers crossed for Cotulla bring this to life.

[via: pocketnow]

VZ FiOS on Demand Available For WM6.5, Android and BB

David K — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 04:45:15 +0000

Got FiOS? Got Android, Windows Mobile 6.5 or a Blackberry device? Well Verizon has released FiOS on Demand that lets you buy, rent and watch “Flex View” movies on your phone. The show the following as an example of Flex View:

Rent a movie from your mobile phone on your way home and watch it on FiOS TV that evening.
Buy a movie online, download it to your PC, transfer it to your portable media player and take it on the go.
Rent a movie on your laptop to watch now, and your family can watch in online tomorrow.

Specifically, on a mobile device you can purchase, rent and watch Flex View movies on your phone. Browse videos, read descriptions, watch previews and check price and ratings and even bookmark to come back later. You can download to your device over wi-fi and 3G or transfer them from your PC via USB, Flex View titles that you rent or buy from FiOS tv, PC and online are also available on your phone.

The supported devices are currently noted as “HTC Imagio, Samsung Omnia 2, Blackberry Storm 2, Droid X, Droid 2 and Windows Mobile 6.5” but you can check here for more availability. As for downloading the app:

On Android devices, use the Android Market to locate and download the FiOS On Demand app.
On Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices, go to http://m.verizon.com/apps to download the FiOS On Demand app.

via Engadget