Friday, March 26, 2010

Nokia X9 with Symbian 4, 1GHz CPU and 12MP camera leaks




After the apparent leak of Nokia’s C6 QWERTY slider comes another new handset from the
company under its refreshed range nomenclature. The Nokia X9 is believed to be the successor to the Nokia X6, complete with a 1GHz Cortex A8 chipset, 12-megapixel camera with LED flash, HDMI and a 3.7-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen.

Elsewhere there’s HSDPA, WiFi and aGPS, along with 32GB of onboard storage and a 3.5mm headphone socket. The Symbian^4 device is expected to be capable of 720p HD video recording, and has some nifty social networking status updates too – along the bottom of that sizeable display run a series of icons for Twitter, Facebook, calls and messages, with a number indicating how many are unread or unanswered.

Still, we’re a little sceptical since we’re not expecting Symbian^4 to arrive for another twelve months. This could all be the handiwork of a Nokia-loving Photoshop artist, but even if that’s the case we’re hoping the Finns are watching closely; there are certainly elements to this smartphone that we’d like to see in real life.

Samsung Galaxy S i9000 Press Announcement Video & audio










Not at CTIA Wireless 2010? The Samsung Galaxy S i9000 press announcement video is now available on YouTube for you. The Galaxy S will be available in Europe, North America,

RX-51 N900 Service hints v2 & v3




Supported Models:
TOC
4100 Power - Doesn't switch on
4200 Cellular access - No service(1)
4200 Cellular access - No service(2)
4300 Connectivity - No wlan connection
4400 Audio - Outgoing
4400 Audio - Outgoing (2)
4400 Audio - Incoming
4500 Alert - Vibra
5100 Camera - Main Camera
5200 Keypad - Qwerty / Sidekeys
5400 Charging / Battery - No Charging
5400 Charging / Battery - No Charging
5600 Memory - eMMC rejected/ invalid

Mass Memory Content Flashing. See SB - 005
Repair Instructions. See SB - 008
Repair Instruction For USB-Connector. See SB - 010
RX-51_N900_Service_hints_v2.xls
&
RX-51_N900_Service_hints_v1.xls
Download
http://hotfile.com/dl/32604126/0ed9040/RX-51_N900_Service_hints_v2.rar.html

Saturday, March 20, 2010

PwnageTool 3.1.3 update ฤฐphone 3GS Jailbreak

Supported Models:

SUMMARY:


The iPhone 3GS is now supported in PwnageTool 3.1.3, assuming the phone was pwned at 3.0 or 3.0.1 - PwnageTool does not support the 3GS out of the box. If your iPhone 3GS has 3.1 preinstalled and is not Pwned then there is no tested jailbreak solution at the moment.


The iPod 2G is now supported in PwnageTool 3.1.3, assuming the iPod 2G was pwned at 3.0 or 3.0.1 - PwnageTool does not support the iPod 2G with 3.1 software out of the box.

DETAILS:


Thursday, March 18, 2010

Nokia Fbus And UFC Cable Finder bykashi4gul v1.01


Supported Models:
Nokia Fbus And UFC Cable Finder bykashi4gul v1.01
+ nokia code

Download
http://hotfile.com/dl/32302082/c6d7093/Nokia_Cable_Finder_by_kashi4gul.rar.html

BlackBerry software repair


Supported Models:
blackberry from 5500 to 9530

Download
http://hotfile.com/dl/30751589/a64e500/All_Blackberry_Repair_Software.rar.html

B5 Free SP Code Reader and Unlocker V1


Supported Models:
Supported HASHES:
RAP3Gv2:
- E9EFF4BFAA5393217CA6B17755FC3E14
RAP3Gv3:
- 38F312750F686F9FC9B1B3778774A195
- 9DDBFCFE6E73CED7D8C6268C8EB85723
- A5404AE83A594ECADEE532F0C236BFA6
- BAF3A9C3DBFA8454937DB77F2B8852B1
RAPIDOv11:
- 9A28E119033B91D14D22838C86D0D53C
- CAEEBB65D3C48E6DC73B49DC5063A2EE
- F2D76DFAFD66C7F195F278417DF05888
- F682624FFB08F6D955DBE7D9C0485084
- FCB5C510AF7F09F313D9BDE85A707CC0

Supported phones:
- ALL BB5 SL1 and SL2 with supported HASHES

Supported interfaces:
- JAF Box with any firmware up to 01.B4 inclusive
(TEA authentification algorithm for "command vectors" included)
- UFS Box with any firmware up to 2.08

Known limitations:
- Not work on so called "5800 SL3" or "New RAPIDO":
- 5800d (RM-356) - v31.0.008 - v30.0.011 - v31.0.101
- 6790s-1c (RM-492)
- 6790s-1b (RM-599)
- E63 (RM-437) - v400.21.013
- E71 (RM-346) - v400.21.013
- N96 (RM-247) - v30.033 - v30.101

Download
http://hotfile.com/dl/33456420/d0e111f/BB5_Free_SPCodeReader_V1.rar.html

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Compare: UCWEB, Opera Mini, TeaShark, Htc , Skyfire and Bolt

Not all phones have built internet mobile browser according to the desired capacity. For example quickly open a web page, save the use of data, download files, til open a web page that is more complex. This opportunity seems to be used correctly by a third-party developers to create superior browser for mobile internet. Intrigued with the development of mobile browser technology? Here is a test for 5 popular mobile browser: UCWEB, Opera Mini, TeaShark, Skyfire and BOLT.

Test to open complex web pages
When tested for the opening pages of quite complex CNN.com, Skyfire be the fastest and winning a few seconds of Opera Mini that occupies the second place.
UCWEB be the slowest to record up to 26 seconds. Compare with Skyfire which takes only 11 seconds.
Skyfire factor based Symbian, because there was no connection check before loading the page is a factor that accelerates the performance of Skyfire. Skyfire does not pass through virtual machines like other browser applications based on java.
TeaShark, Skyfire and BOLT display CNN.com page that looks exactly like on the PC while Opera Mini and UCWEB make adjustments so that the page is compatible with the phone's display.

Menu and Navigation
Fifth browser basically includes a navigation system similar to optimize, it's just a different placement of the menu.

Google's Online Shop Official Open

[Clipboard01.jpg]
This week Google officially launched Google Apps Marketplace, an online application store for third-party developers. This online store would be the supplement Google's online applications. There are 50 application developers who participated in this online store. Google Apps users Marketplace focused on Gmail and Google Docs to buy add-ons feature in their services.

Users can link to the application through the UI of Google applications. This service offers advantages such as single sign-on and share data between applications Google Apps and third-party application developers. These applications can be installed in the domain through a process of four clicks. Google Apps Marketplace can be compared like Apple Store provides iPhone applications.

Google hopes, this store became a new field for third-party developers in marketing applications. However, Google was reluctant to say how the results will be given.

Google Maps make Maps for Biker

To Celebrating National Bike Summit held in Washington, Google, through his own Maps service create maps for the biker. This service makes it easier for cyclists to find a route when lost. Because of the importance of information in order to avoid a hill with a height of 200 feet and around the city streets of San Francisco. Previously, some Google Maps Phone users already have created their own cycling maps for specific cities such as New York and Minneapolis. It seems that inspired Google to create a map of cycling.

For this service, Google's got most of the data from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Google Maps for the biker, providing information on cycling routes in 150 cities in the U.S.. Biker can find a special cycling track in these cities and take advantage of available routes for bicycle travel becomes more secure and comfortable.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

22 App Downloads Per Second for Nokia Ovi Store

22 App Downloads Per Second for Nokia Ovi Store

Nokia has released a pocketful of statistics in respects of their Ovi app store as at end of February.

Downloads
Downloads are hitting the 1.5 million mark per day, with the average user downloading 12 items from the Ovi Store since its initial launch. This relates to around 22 downloads per second, each day, with daily hights of 1,300 downloads per minute.

Availability
Ovi Store supports 30 language variations, translating to the use of the local language for 90% of Ovi Store customers. Countries with the top downloads are UK, Indonesia, Italy, Germany, France, Indonesia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey and Russia.

Devices
Ovi Store is available in more than 100 devices with more than 60 being symbian handsets. The most used being the touch models 5530 XpressMusic, N97, 5800 XpressMusic and the N97 mini.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Nokia adds Skype to Ovi Store

Skype and Nokia today jointly announced the release of Skype for Symbian, a Skype client for Nokia smartphones based on the Symbian platform, the world’s most popular smartphone platform. Skype for Symbian will allow Nokia smartphone users worldwide to use Skype on the move, over either a WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G). It is now downloadable for free from the Ovi Store, Nokia’s one-stop shop for mobile content.
Skype for Symbian enables Nokia smartphone users to:

T-Mobile Nokia 5230 Nuron gets official

t mobile nokia 5230 nuron 540x404

Only yesterday we were hearing leaked pricing details about the Nokia 5230 Nuron, and now T-Mobile USA have made the handset official. The touchscreen candybar – which we’ve known as the 5230 XpressMusic – has a 3.2-inch resistive display, Ovi Maps and 3G.

There’s also a full HTML browser, 3.5mm headphone jack and – a first for the US – the Ovi Store preloaded on the handset. T-Mobile will be offering both credit card and carrier billing (i.e. so you can buy apps through the store and charge them to your monthly bill).

It’s not the most exciting device, we have to admit, but it should be relatively cheap. According to that leaked information, T-Mobile will be charging $69.99 for the Nokia 5230 Nuron with a new agreement, or $179.99 without. No specific release date as yet, but look for it on shelves within a few weeks time.

Google “stand behind” Android and HTC in Apple lawsui

apple iphone htc desire

Are the Google gloves coming off? After the furore yesterday over the Apple/HTC lawsuit, and the quick assumption that the Cupertino legal team actually have Google and their Android platform in their sights, the search giant has stepped up to the plate with a statement of support for their HTC pals.

“We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it” Google spokesperson

Apple specifically referred to a number of Android-based devices in their lawsuit – while several Windows Mobile handsets were also mentioned, they are only ever referred to obliquely as “DSP Devices” – but fell short of naming Google. The crux of Apple’s argument is that HTC have overstepped the mark on 20 iPhone-related patents; however, the patents themselves generally cover OS-level functionality, something more within Google’s realm than HTC’s.

Google haven’t detailed exactly what their pledge to “stand behind” both Android and HTC might entail in the long run, but if – as widely speculated – Apple hoped to drag them into a legal fight then it looks as though they’ve succeeded. We’re hoping to hear more from HTC soon; yesterday’s statement was a basic acknowledgement of the lawsuit, since the company only heard about it through media reports.

Ovi Maps Loader for Nokia N900 now available

If you’re a frequent reader, you’d know that one of our minor complaints about GPS on the Nokia N900, was that there was no way to pre-load the Maps into the device.
Well now there is !

MeeGo repository going public later this month, coming to Nokia N900

Valtteri Halla — Nokia employee and one-half of MeeGo’s Technical Steering Group — has blogged up a storm this week about the first baby steps that’ll get the platform off the ground from its Moblin and Maemo roots, and from the sounds of things, we’ll be able to get our first glimpse at it on production hardware before the month’s out. Currently, the plan is to open up MeeGo’s code repository to all comers “by the end of this month,” targeting both Atom boards and the N900. Now, we certainly wouldn’t say that MeeGo’s decision to use the N900 as an early target device is indicative of an official upgrade down the line — but this is particularly interesting in light of the fact that we’ve never gotten a commitment out of Nokia to bump its latest MID to Maemo 6. And besides, considering that the average N900 customer is a bit of a hacker in his or her own right, let’s be honest: a code repository that supports the phone is just about as good as an official gold build a

HTC Desire, Legend and HD Mini show up on Amazon UK

Slowly but surely, HTC’s latest trifecta of handsets is making its way westwards. After appearing on Amazon’s Deutsche hub with a pre-order value of €519 ($707), the Desire has now reached the UK with an even steeper £528 ($795) price and an estimated arrival time of April 1. Let’s just hope this pattern doesn’t continue or we’ll be looking at a four-figure sticker when this thing comes all the way Stateside. The HTC Legend is also slated for an April 1 delivery and carries a price of £400 ($602), while the HD Mini will straggle a tiny bit with an April 14 launch and a palatable £369 ($556) price. All are without contractual obligations, so it’ll be interesting to see what incentives carriers can come up with to get us to jump on board.

Sony Ericsson Satio getting firmware upgrade




Sony Ericsson’s Satio is going to get a firmware updates and we have the change log. If you don’t remember, the Symbian-powered handset has a 12-megapixel camera, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS and a large touch screen. Here are the details of the additional features of the coming firmware:

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

HTC Bravo tipped for March 2010




Star device on HTC’s leaked 2010 roadmap, the HTC Bravo – a 1GHz Snapdragon based handset with a 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen, running Android – has seemingly been prematurely confirmed by the Swedish arm of carrier 3. In a comment – since removed – on the company’s Facebook page, they announced that they would be offering the HTC Bravo in March 2010.

That’s despite the fact that the handset hasn’t actually been officially announced by HTC as yet, though we’re expecting that to happen at Mobile World Congress this coming February. 3 Sweden describe the Bravo as basically the same as the Nexus One, though the assumption – going by the renders we’ve seen of the smartphone – is that it will run HTC Sense rather than the basic Android UI.

That could give it an edge over Google’s Nexus One for those who prefer HTC’s home-grown interface. Other specifications are tipped to include HSPA, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with GPS, a 5-megapixel autofocus camera and a digital compass.

Samsung i8520 ‘Halo’ Android 2.1 phone



While Samsung is desperate for us and the world to focus on its very first Bada device — the Wave S8500 — we found something a bit more interesting for Google fans. Tucked away in the depths of a spec sheet is Samsung’s unannounced i8520 phone running Android 2.1. After quizzing a team of perplexed executives of increasing rank, a VP from Samsung’s mobile division finally told us that it’ll be revealed as the “Halo” tomorrow when the show floor opens. Looking at the spec sheet then, the i8520 Halo packs a 3.7-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display (bigger than the Wave’s 3.3-incher), 8 megapixel autofocus camera with flash (VGA on the front), 720p / 30fps video encoding / decoding, DivX and Xvid playback support, Bluetooth 2.1, standard 3.5mm headphone jack, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, A-GPS, 16GB of internal storage and microSD expansion, stereo speakers, DLNA support, and — get this — a DLP pico projector integrated. The spec-sheet also lists a “Specialized Projector UI” as one of the features, suggesting it’ll look a little different when you toss it up onto the big screen. This quad-band GSM / EDGE phone with tri-band UMTS 900 / 1900 / 2100 will ship in Q3 to Europe and Asia with a chance for a US version at some point later. We’ll bring you more tomorrow just as soon as we get through all this paella.

How to update the firmware on the Nokia N900




The Nokia N900 is a new flagship Nseries handset from Nokia, and it is the company’s first smartphone to run the Linux-based Maemo operating system.

Because this is a first for Nokia, relatively frequent firmware updates are expected. Fortunately, the N900 is more flexible where OS updates are concerned than any other handset on the market today. In this guide, we’ll show you four different ways to update your N900’s software.

Always backup all of the data on your device before attempting an update. It is also recommended that you connect your handset to a power source prior to performing any updates.

Over the Air (OTA) Update

1. From the phone’s home screen key in *#0000# or go to Device manager
2. Select Options then Check for updates
3. Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the update

Update via a Windows PC

1. Download and install the Nokia Software Updater
2. Connect your N900 to your PC with the supplied USB cable
3. Open the Nokia Software Updater application
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to update your device

Update via a Mac

1. Download the 770Flasher tool
2. Download the latest available N900 firmware image
3. Turn the N900 off
4. Connect the N900 to your computer via USB cable (with the device turned off)
5. Run the 770Flasher application
6. Drag the firmware you downloaded in step 2 to the 770Flasher application (you will get an error regarding a USB device not being found, ignore it)
7. Turn the phone on
8. The update process will now begin automatically once the N900 boots
9. You are safe to disconnect your phone from the computer when you see the normal desktop reappear on the N900 display

Update via a Linux PC

1. Download and extract the Linux Flasher tool
2. Download the latest available N900 firmware image
3. Turn the N900 off
4. Connect the phone to your computer via USB cable (with the device turned off)
5. Open a Terminal window and run ‘sudo ./flasher-3.5 -F -f -R‘ (you will get an error regarding a USB device not being found, ignore it)
6. Turn the phone on
7. The update process will now begin automatically once the N900 boots
8. You are safe to disconnect your phone from the computer when you see the normal desktop reappear on the N900 display

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Google and HTC Working On a Chrome OS Tablet

Everyone is clamoring about tablets these days—ourselves included—so it’s not too surprising that Google and HTC are set to join the fray. They are reportedly working together on a Chrome OS Google Tablet.
Smarthouse, an Australian publication, reports that HTC and Google have been collaborating “for the past 18 months” and have produced “several working models of a touch tablet,” including one outfitted with Google’s Chrome OS. We wrote why a Google Tablet would be a good idea last month, and with the Apple Tablet discussion reaching a fever pitch, it’s harder and harder to get excited about a Chrome OS netbook from Google.

HTC Smart BREW smartphone targets budget buyers

HTC Smart metal Front side 540x422
HTC say their new, Qualcomm BREW-based HTC Smart offers a new, smartphone experience to the masses, and while we reckon the masses are doing a pretty decent job on their own รค press release is still pretty light on specifications – we’re waiting to hear back from HTC for full details – but since it looks to be the same device as we knew as the Touch.B we’re guessing it’ll have the same specifications.
Update: HTC have come through with specs for the Smart; full details after the cut.
That means 3G and Bluetooth, though no WiFi, together with a 2-megapixel camera that shoots stills but not video. There’s also – joy! – a dedicated camera shortcut on the side. Other hardware controls are minimal, with a volume rocker on the left-hand side and then end, back and call/power keys up front. There’s also what looks like a small, silver button just below the screen; that could be an aesthetic detail or it might be a home key.

Ovi Maps Beta for mobile (v3.04)


Maps     Screenshot

With the Ovi MapsBeta (v3.04) exploring new places and getting to your destination is easier and faster than ever. This new Beta release is all about performance improvement.
Get easily to destinations with Drive & Walk, FREE voice guided car and pedestrian navigation for over 70 countries. Preload maps for entire countries on your Nokia GPS phone with Map Loader and enjoy using all these features and services also offline.
Online you can check Weather forecasts & Events around your location or any other in the world. Find thousands of listings for sights, restaurants, hotels, shops, nightlife and more with free travel content by Lonely Planet and Michelin, available for over 1000 destinations. You can even book a hotel room via HRS Hotels, currently available in Germany and Finland, coming to more countries soon.
Share your location with friends on Facebook and let them know what you are up to, right from Ovi Maps. Your status update, photo and location appear on your Facebook page. Your location can be viewed on the map within the Ovi Maps Facebook Application.
Roadtrip? Roadtrip!
Watch the video from Jan 21st introducing FREE Drive & Walk navigation in over 70 countries, featuring our Product Managers, Richa and Justus

Skype pull Windows Mobile VoIP app

Skype for Windows Mobile
Skype have pulled support for Windows Mobile, leaving only iPhone and Symbian versions of their mobile VoIP app.  According to Skype’s FAQ on the subject, the company “felt that Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile were not offering the best possible Skype experience”; there are also hints that Skype may be planning a new version to replace it, however.
“We’ve chosen to withdraw Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile because we want to offer our new customers an improved mobile experience – much like the version that has proved so popular on the iPhone, and which is now available on Symbian phones” Skype FAQ
One interpretation of their quote is that they are looking to port the iPhone version across to other platforms, potentially including the upcoming Windows Phone 7 platform set for release later in 2010.  Of course, that’s no good if you want to run Skype on your WinMo device now; handily there’s still a hidden page where you can (for the moment) download the file.

Nokia X6 Unlocked for $455 now up for Pre-Order in the USA

If you remember the Nokia X6 then you know is a nice and seductive device which people around Europe seem to like a lot and perhaps you’ll have a chance to get one. The handset is being made available to the North American market through Nokia USA and you can pre-ordered it here.
The Nokia X6 unlocked will set you back $455 and offers a few colors to choose from as well as a 3.2-inch capacitive touch screen with 640 x 360 resolution, 16.7 million colors, Accelerometer and up to 16 GB internal memory. It also comes with Bluetooth 2.0, A-GPS, Ovi Maps 3.0, a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash and many more goodies.
If you visit the pre-order page for the Nokia X6 you’ll notice that it doesn’t mention anything about a ‘Comes With Music’ requirement. So go on and check it out Nokia lovers, and if you buy one let us know how much you like or dislike this handset.

CyanogenMod v5.0.4 for Nexus One Released

CyanogenMod is a customized, aftermarket firmware distribution for the HTC Dream and Magic cell phones, and the Google Nexus One. ^ Today, they released a new stable version of CyanogenMod version 5.0.4  for Nexus one. Of course, if you use it your warranty will be void.
CHANGELOG For 5.0.4:
* Kernel 2.6.33
* Resync with latest code drop from Google
* New lights library from ChainsDD – full color trackball notifications
* 360-degree auto-orientation from Optedoblivion (right/left enabled by default, check option in settings app for 180-degree orientation)
* OpenVPN integration into native VPN settings
* Fixed Dropbear server and SCP
* Added Bash shell
* Tweaked the auto-brightness sensor ranges to be smoother
* Customizable MMS notification light/color/vibrate (originally from rgv151@XDA)
* Using RIL from Desire with power-collapse setting
* Lots of bugfixes from AOSP
Download CyanogenMod v5.0.4 for Nexus one.
Latest version: 5.0.4-N1 – 02/27/2010
Download: http://n0rp.chemlab….4-N1-signed.zip
Mirror 1: http://cyanogen-upda…4-N1-signed.zip
Mirror 2: http://android.phase…4-N1-signed.zip
MD5Sum: 710d8afd3f7ed82db733f1eb770b568d
Radio Image (fastboot flash radio): 20100203_2 (ERE36B)
Download: http://n0rp.chemlab….ned_PASSION.img
MD5Sum: 310d85c4998163818f7dcdef730c2a12
Google Addon: ERE36B (2)
Download: http://www.mediafire…6B-2-signed.zip

WAD2 Windows Phone 7 theme boosts performance [Video]

lesscro wp7 metro ui theme
Remember yesterday’s Windows Phone 7 Metro UI theme for Windows Mobile 6.5 devices?  Performance on the early alpha was sluggish, but it looks like Jaxbot’s project isn’t the only one out there looking to put some new shine on older devices.  LeSScro has been working on a Metro UI theme, based on WisBar Advance Desktop 2.x, and it’s running a whole lot more smoothly than yesterday’s attempt.
Like that, it includes the distinctive tile-based Start screen, together with the lockscreen with its time, date and notification icons.  There are transitional animations between pages, as well as profile settings (including WiFi and volume), and he’s even added in various Hubs – Microsoft’s way of distinguishing between sets of common functionality – including Pictures, Games, Media, Office and Stocks.  Right now it’s only suitable for WVGA devices, however, and it’s still in a relatively early development stage.
Frankly, with news coming out of Microsoft that pretty much no Windows Mobile 6.5.3 device will be eligible for a Windows Phone 7 upgrade because of issues with hardware controls, all of a sudden this DIY UI packages are starting to look a whole lot more appealing.  As we’ve said before, when nicely skinned WinMo can be a very usable OS, it’s just not been that attractive in its basic form for several generations.

Archos 7 and 8 Home Tablets are cheap, but you get what you pay for

Archos has just announced its brand new 7- and 8-inch Home Tablets, which both run Android and cost €149 ($203). For that layout, you’ll get a 600MHz ARM 9 processor, which won’t be breaking any (positive) records, but the Archos 7 you see above is a very svelte 12mm thin and weighs only 350g, making it an ideal web reading device if not a particularly potent multimedia consumer. You also get WiFi, 2GB of integrated memory on the cheaper versions and a battery that will last for seven hours of video or 44 hours of audio playback. The Archos 8 (pictured after the break) comes with a huge old bezel, hinting at its ability to double up as a picture frame, while sharing the 7’s other features, including price and thickness. The smaller device will be coming out in Europe this April, to be followed by its larger sibling in May.

The Mio Moov V780 Navigation Device features GPS, HD video, TV and WiFi

Uh, folks — we’ve an identity crisis on our hands. Is this a MID with a penchant for navigating? Is this a PMP with pre-loaded maps? Is it an ultra-sleek navigator that just so happens to play music? There’s a fair chance the world will never know, but we’ll soon be stopping by Mio’s booth at CeBIT in order to get a view of things ourselves. At any rate, the Moov V780 is undoubtedly one of the most appealing things to come from the outfit in quite some time, offering up 720p multimedia playback, an HDMI output, digital TV support, a 7-inch (800 x 480 resolution) display, 600MHz CPU, 512MB of memory, 4GB of onboard flash and a pretty tremendous list of supported file formats. Sadly, it’s humming along on Windows CE (rather than, say, Android), but at least it ships with WiFi and optional WiMAX. There’s no mention of a price or release date, but we’ll be on the hunt for those tidbits as soon as the show floor opens up.

HTC HD2 Windows Phone 7 update axed: buttons to blame?

HTC HD2 Front  Back  Right 10021 540x386

Talk of a Windows Phone 7 update for the HTC HD2 has circulated pretty much since the phone was launched, but despite ostensibly positive hints from HTC themselves, it looks like Microsoft’s newly-rigid hardware guidelines have scuppered the Snapdragon smartphone’s chances. Speaking to APC Magazine, Natasha Kwan, General Manager for Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific region pointed out that the HD2 won’t qualify for an upgrade as “it doesn’t have the three buttons”.

The buttons Kwan refers to are the Home, Back and Search keys that are mandated for all Windows Phone 7 devices. Instead, the HD2 has Call, Home, Start, Back and End/Power controls. Microsoft have allowed handset OEMs some flexibility in adding in extra keys – such as volume rockers or camera shortcuts – but none when it comes to the basic three on the front panel.

It may not solely be buttons holding the HD2 back, however. ”There are some hardware components that the HD doesn’t have” Tony Wilkinson, Business Operations Director for Microsoft Australia, suggested to APC, though given we won’t find out the full hardware profile for WP7 devices until MIX 2010 later this month we’ll have to wait a while to see exactly what those shortcomings might be.