Gadget enthusiasts everywhere will be overjoyed that the long-awaited update to Windows Mobile is nearing release, and that reviews of the OS, codenamed "Crossbow," have been hitting the 'Net.
Crossbow is the code name for Windows Mobile 6.0, which we previewed last month. The OS features a new visual style evocative of Windows Vista, and some much-welcomed improvements to the kernel, including increased resource limits and a big jump in the maximum number of allowed simultaneous processes.
The review is mostly positive about the OS upgrade, although the reviewers take the stand that the new features don't necessarily warrant a full version upgrade designation. The major new features include better integration with Windows Live services (including Windows Live Messenger) and Microsoft's upcoming Office 2007 line of products (including Exchange 12). There are subtle changes as well: clicking on the standard close button (the X in a box in the upper right corner) for an application invokes a new "smart minimizing" feature where the OS itself decides whether a program should be shut down completely or remain active in memory.
The OS release also merges some features that formerly were found only on Windows for Smartphones, a specialized release of the Windows Mobile operating system. For example, smart dialing by searching quickly through contact lists is now part of Windows Mobile.
System requirements for 6.0 are the same as the previous version: 64 MB ROM/64 MB RAM and a 200MHz processor. Due to ongoing optimization efforts, the overall system speed of 6.0 is slightly faster than 5.0, which is always a nice surprise for any new OS release.
Overall, the new release looks fairly solid, especially for people who will be upgrading to Office 2007 or Exchange 12. However, some folks will prefer to wait for the "big" upgrade: Microsoft's unified mobile/smartphone OS project, codenamed "Photon," for which a release date has not yet been announced.
The above was taken from the WinBeta website. Here is the review, including some snapshots!
http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/articles/wm-crossbow-en.shtml
They promise some video clips displaying the operating system at work to be shown in 2 days time, so it might be worth keeping an eye on that if you are interested.
Where does MS publish all their WM Dev documentation???
Specifically, I'm looking for a list of every single configurable option for a WM6 SmartPhone device.
My company is wanting to roll out 500 units and we want to see what options the phone has for everything so we can decide what we want set to what so we can configure the devices using a .cab we write so all the settings take place before we give them to the users.
Thanks!
Alex
The information for Windows Mobile OS can be found on msdn.com like for every other MS product.
But keep in mined that it is a very modular OS and what is actually implemented and what is not depends on a specific device. I think you should be checking the documentation provided by the manufacturer of the specific model you intend to roll out.
Also, you can't possibly need to configure "everything". Decide what your customers need and what is unique for your company - internet settings, email settings etc and look for documentation on that.
Dont know if this has been posted before, just read it over at neowin.
(not my wording)
Google has announced today the new Android 2.0 platform.
Android 2.0 brings new developer APIs for sync, Bluetooth, and some other areas. Developers can now write applications to enable users to sync their devices to various contact sources. With the new Bluetooth API, developers can easily add peer-to-peer connectivity or gaming to their applications.
Google has published a full list of improvements but amongst the improvements here are the best ones we have found:
•Email - Exchange support
•Messaging - Search support
•Camera - Built-in flash support, Digital zoom
•Keyboard - Improved virtual keyboard to help with correct characters and typing speed
•Browser - HTML5 support, double tap zoom, tap the address bar for instant searches and navigation
•Bluetooth 2.1 support, Object Push Profile (OPP) and Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) support
With the amount of operating system additions and improved support for multiple screen sizes and Bluetooth 2.1, we'd expect to see a whole range of new Android devices ready for when 2.0 is ready.
Official Video on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZ69P-0Jbc
Taken from here
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/10/27/google-announces-android-20-platform
now hopefully htc updates their developer page so i can upgrade my 1.6 donut to 2.0
when appear 2.0? and when appear is free to upgrade from 1.6 to new 2.0?
OMG, we just got over the 1.6 Over the air update frenzy, now we hear that 2.0 is starting to rollout in November. I want, I want
Hello,
i have just one simple question:is the Windows Update function integrated into the HTC HD2, too? I didn't find it yet. Maybe someone else knows more about it?
Thanks in advance.
Sincerely, nitrate
windows update
i found that auto update icon in windows folder in htc hd2.but it doesnt really update anything.
It's not likely there will ever be something similar to Windows Update for Windows Mobile.
It's largely due to the specificities of the OS and of the devices that host it. Sure, Windows Mobile is produced by MS, but you won't be able to buy it on the shelves, as you can do with XP, Vista or Seven and install it on your home made computer. Every phone maker adapts it fot its own devices, a bit like the drivers you need on top of windows for specific hardware. And don't forget that all the files that make the OS are bundled together in ROM and not just copied on a hard disk. The rom of a HD2 is not the same as that of a HD (not even talking about those of phones from other companies). And you have operators like Orange that custom make their own ROMs, so it's close to impossible for MS to provide the kind of support they do for their other OS. The closest we could have would be a HD2 Update, but run by HTC and not by MS. In a way, that's what they do when they provide a new ROM!
Another thought, you will notice that when we complain about bugs we usually blame (and very often rightly so!) HTC for the problem and not MS.
I spend a lot of times on other forums (job related !) for problems/bugs affecting worksations and servers, almost nobody says "I have so many problems with my Dell, next time I will get a HP!" , they complain (and once again, very often rightly so!) about MS!
Windows Update was included in all ROMs from WM5, but was always an optional extra offered to the operators and phone suppliers by MS. As far as I know, none ever actually purchased the option, though the shortcut remained in the start menu. This is why clicking it always returned the 'No Updates' message.
The HD2 does have the capability for hotfixes to be applied, and some have already been released by HTC. Whether they ever integrate this with the Update utility remains to be seen!
NeilM said:
This is why clicking it always returned the 'No Updates' message.
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Click to collapse
This is my 4th WM device, and I've never found an update using this utility. Updates seem to come only from carriers, manufacturers, and cookers...
Has anyone here ever - on any device - received an update using Microsoft's utility?
As I said above, Update was an optional extra that needed to be purchased by the operator/supplier. None ever exercised that option, presumably as they'd rather encourage the user to buy a new model than update the old one
Soon there will be an update released by Microsoft, which will add several features.
Will my HD2 (Live activated) be able to get that update directly, or is a new Rom necessary?
definitely won't be done directly
next to that
You are aware of the fact that when that update will be released, that your phone won't have the oppertunity to use Chevrons unlock software anymore.
KrewsialNL said:
You are aware of the fact that when that update will be released, that your phone won't have the oppertunity to use Chevrons unlock software anymore.
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Click to collapse
I am aware, it is not such a big deal for me. The update will add Copy/Paste which is a more important future.
After the activation my HD2 is registered as an HD7. The update will be released by microsoft via a pop-up. But this will "brick" my WP7?
I think when the phone is live enabled it won't be a problem that chevron will not work anymore. The apps are installed from the marketplace and no side apps.
I would also be interested what happens when the update arrives.
You get a notification for the Update, but Updates are installed from a PC same as with WM6.5 or Iphone.
So I guess we will have to wait for a dump and new Installer from DFT. I hope the Activation keys will stay valid with the Update.
I'm really looking forward to faster app starts. Starting and resuming of 3rd party apps is way slow.
Why are you so sure that the update won't work directly? In fact the HD2 has virtually the same hardware as all currently available WP7 phones in terms of CPU, GPU, screen resolution etc. The update will come directly from MS so it is unlikely that there will be an IMEI check, new drivers and only OS changes. I don't really see a problem with the update if it doesn't go back to the bootloader but I'm pretty sure it won't go so far because MS are not going to mess around with the different bootloaders from HTC, Samsung, LG and Dell. Also bear in mind that the update MUST work with all OEM software and the operator bloatware
I wonder if the update will be mandatory and if MS will shut down access to Live if you don't update!
update probably means "new Rom"... and just like with wm6.5 will have to be flashed over your current rom, possibly they will add a backup function beforehand. so only question is whether or not DFT comes with a RUU equivalent of their DFI.exe so you can flash your own customized roms through magldr. remember there have probably been quite a few changes in this LEO70 rom like hardware key mappings etc. those do pose some difficulties in 'updating' your htc hd2 running wp7 as quite some things are incompatible with regular wp7 roms.
jronimo said:
update probably means "new Rom"
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why should it?
i think the upcoming update wont be a problem for the hd2 users but just wait and see what happens
i think we don't need chevron.exe any more , we can dumb the update , edit reg edit to be hd7 ,and after that make the rom to be compitable with hd2 , that is all . chevron.exe is only needed for us to fake hd2 reg to be hd7 , we can do this reg edit to the rom dumb before inistalling it to the device , am i right
leeuwtjevanjuda said:
I am aware, it is not such a big deal for me. The update will add Copy/Paste which is a more important future.
After the activation my HD2 is registered as an HD7. The update will be released by microsoft via a pop-up. But this will "brick" my WP7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The software we have, it altered so it can run on our devices. (hardware buttons? anyone?) Any update can seriously mess that up of course
Though I don't know how they are going to push the update, we can't be sure of course.
WP7 updates are notified to the device via a toast notification. They are installed to the device via Zune i.e. the phone has to be plugged in to the computer.
If you check in Settings, it clearly says this. Or at least my (real) HD7 says that.
TheOnly1 said:
Why are you so sure that the update won't work directly? In fact the HD2 has virtually the same hardware as all currently available WP7 phones in terms of CPU, GPU, screen resolution etc. The update will come directly from MS so it is unlikely that there will be an IMEI check, new drivers and only OS changes. I don't really see a problem with the update if it doesn't go back to the bootloader but I'm pretty sure it won't go so far because MS are not going to mess around with the different bootloaders from HTC, Samsung, LG and Dell. Also bear in mind that the update MUST work with all OEM software and the operator bloatware
I wonder if the update will be mandatory and if MS will shut down access to Live if you don't update!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except the hardware buttons! Remember the whole debacle about having the standard 3 buttons? An update coming directly from MS is not going to work. Period.
This is the bigger issue:
http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2...jailbreak-disabled-by-windows-phone-7-update/
Updating OS's is the least of our worries. Changing the device name to gain access to the marketplace will be the bigger issue.
I'm sure the dev's will figure something out.
only thing i think we should know is if the keys will still work if we update via MS.
TheOnly1 said:
I wonder if the update will be mandatory and if MS will shut down access to Live if you don't update!
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Click to collapse
I can tell you from a fact and as an owner of an ZuneHD media player since it came as well as owning the first generation fat 32 gig brown Zune media player that they don't force any of the updates on you. Seeing how WP7 depends on Zune software it might be the same story when it comes to updates but don't quote of me on that
^ On the contrary Microsoft always forces updates! Take the Xbox Live for example. To play certain games its compulsary for you to update! To sign on to XBL from the XBox 360, its compulsary to update else access to Marketplace is blocked.
So Im pretty sure Microsoft would block access to Marketplace until we update. But lets just hope thats not the case
DennisCSUF said:
I can tell you from a fact and as an owner of an ZuneHD media player since it came as well as owning the first generation fat 32 gig brown Zune media player that they don't force any of the updates on you. Seeing how WP7 depends on Zune software it might be the same story when it comes to updates but don't quote of me on that
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Click to collapse
That's kind of reassuring. I would love to install the update on my HD2, but I don't want to be the first to try it - not after the issues getting chevron to work reliably, i don't really want to start flashing WP7 again from scratch, i don't really want to go back to android on my hd2 either.
I suspect the update will be like the iphone ones, a smallish patch on top of the OS, and so potentially do-able on a HD2. Also, the iphone doesn't lock you out of the app store after an update, but slowly certain apps will be updated and ONLY work on the new updated OS. I think this is how WP7 will go.
No more Chevron means no more going back and forth between WP7 and Android.
I think I'm happy enough with WP7 to say goodbye to Android.
I just wish they'd fix this battery drain issue. I was getting double the life in Android.
mystik610 said:
Except the hardware buttons! Remember the whole debacle about having the standard 3 buttons? An update coming directly from MS is not going to work. Period.
This is the bigger issue:
http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2...jailbreak-disabled-by-windows-phone-7-update/
Updating OS's is the least of our worries. Changing the device name to gain access to the marketplace will be the bigger issue.
I'm sure the dev's will figure something out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think we don't need chevron.exe any more , we can dumb the update , edit reg edit to be hd7 ,and after that make the rom to be compitable with hd2 , that is all . chevron.exe is only needed for us to fake hd2 reg to be hd7 , we can do this reg edit to the rom dumb before inistalling it to the device like we used to do on coocking wm6.5 roms edit its registery on computer before inistalling it ( it was edited before to be namd after leo oo7 ), am i right
hoss_n2 said:
we can do this reg edit to the rom dumb before inistalling it to the device like we used to do on coocking wm6.5 roms edit its registery on computer before inistalling it , am i right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so, that would be great.