Windows Mobile for Australia : Community

HTC Touch Pro2 – local Oz review

wmOz — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:59:41 GMT

If you’re looking for a local (Oz) review of the HTC Touch Pro 2 then head over to Technology at Play – a local forum run by a Windows Mobile MVP, based in Brisbane.

To read the review head to: http://www.technologyatplay.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22587#post22587 – written by the moderator it provides a really good, detailed breakdown from a person who has been using the Touch Pro 2, including the new 6.5 updated ROM for a number of weeks.

DonK

Can You Stomach the Smack!Down?

wmOz — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:21:14 GMT

As you can tell from the other videos we’ve released over the week, no other breakout session at TechEd comes close to the energy, interactivity and pure fun, than the Smack!Down. Some (speakers) have commented that it’s not a “real” session, because it’s not “serious.” I say that it doesn’t get more real than when you’re having fun.

In fact, having fun, is almost a prerequisite to learning. I mean we tend to remember what was fun, and what hurt. I go with the former. Who can forget setting up the phone as a Wireless Modem, with BA warning you to avoid downloading “donkey stuff?” I still have people telling me the “only” thing they really remember about TechEd07 was me eating a Blackberry for Breakfast in our “Pirates” Smack!Down.

And although there are prizes to win in the Smack!Down, not everyone wins one. No, to win the really big prizes takes commitment, an iron will, not to mention an iron stomach. Welcome to the Smack!Down…

Technorati Tags: Rog42,Smackdown,Windows Mobile,Microsoft,TechEd

All the Toys

wmOz — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:31:24 GMT

There’s a lot that happens at TechEd in Australia, which to non-geek may seem, well, boring. At least that’s what my wife says. In the Microsoft ecosystem, however, it’s the conference that is chock full of the latest technology. You can get down and dirty with servers, and wireless networks, operating systems and databases.

Of course you have to be a rather large bank to afford all of this technology. Chances are, if you work for said bank, you’re working with 3 year old tech anyway, as their procurement processes lumber to catch up.

But there’s only one session that actually demonstrates the latest gadgets. Toys which you can afford.

Welcome to the Smack!Down.

Rog42

Technorati Tags: Rog42,Smackdown,Windows Mobile,TechEd,Microsoft,Gadgets,Toys

Are you Ready?

wmOz — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:29:32 GMT

In just over a week, thousands of technical experts will converge on the Gold Coast Convention Centre to attend Microsoft TechEd09.

But are you ready for the session of sessions?

Rog42

Technorati Tags: Rog42,Smackdown,TechEd,Microsoft,Windows Mobile

Codemasons’ Guild – Jumpstart Live Meeting #1 Q&A

wmOz — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:08:40 GMT

Last Friday James McCutcheon, Jeff Alexander & I (DonK) hosted the first in the Codemasons’ Guild Jumpstart series. If you want to review the LiveMeeting or look at it for the first time – keep an eye out on www.codemasons.com.au it will be posted there in the next few days.

We had some fantastic questions asked through, and at the end of, the Live Meeting – and here’s the listing of a whole host of them;

Q: Is there an upgrade available for existing 6.1 phones?

A: Updates to existing devices in market will be announced by our OEM Partners. At this point HTC have publicly stated that the HTC Diamond 2, HTC Touch Pro 2 and HTC Snap will be updateable to Windows Mobile 6.5.

Q: can you run My Phone side-by-side with an Exchange server configuration?

A: Yes, where a Windows Mobile (6 or greater) phone is configured for Exchange ActiveSync then that handles synchronisation of your Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Email. My Phone will then Sync/Backup other elements – SMS, Photos, Music, Video, Documents.

Q: Will Telco's have the ability to bar access to Marketplace?

A: No

Q: How much is the overall fees for the app submission ?

A: The sign-up fee at present is USD$99 for 5 applications – see developer.windowsmobile.com/maretplace.aspx for more information/details.

Q: When can we access the Dev. Portal?

A: Soon :)

Q: Is this a once off fees ?

A: 99 USD charge fee for 5 app signings

Q: If the application is available for free? what will Microsoft charge developer?

A: It will be charged as one of your signings

Q: At what points do i need to get my app signed? Obviously for initial registration, but what about subsequent updates?

A: Yes all updates need to be signed but not charged as one of your signings

Q: Is there any overlap or merging to be expected between My Phone and Live Mesh for mobile devices?

A: We don’t have any announcements to make about that today. My Phone is being delivered as a backup service for your life on your phone, it is available in beta today for Windows Mobile 6 and higher devices/

Q : Will a testing tool be available to developers to allow them to test their own app before submission?

A: Not at this time, it will be a manual process

Q: What are the requirements for registering for Marketplace - i.e. do you need to have a registered company - ABN, ACN?

A: No you do not need to have a registered company to sign-up for Marketplace.

Q: Will there be a rating/ranking system for apps on MarketPlace. If so, will the rating/ranking algorithm be transparent?

A: There will be a user ranking system

Q: Does the Marketplace support multi-developers/one-application or multi-developers/multi-applications scenarios?

A: The Developer Account on Marketplace will enable you to assign multiple team members/developers to a single account (allowing for one-app/multi-developer) or ISV/Companies to sign-up/

Comment: Thanks guys; very useful meeting

Comment: Cheers and May the Force be with you always.

DonK

Technorati Tags: Marketplace,Windows Mobile,Developer

Windows Mobile 6.5 developer training – Jumpstart series

wmOz — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:04:32 GMT

Next Friday at 1pm is the first of a series of 3 Live Meetings to help Australian developers get started developing for Windows Mobile 6.5 – and to get those apps in Marketplace (Windows Marketplace for Mobile – Open for Developer registration) to distribute/sell to the millions of Windows Mobile users globally.

These Live Meetings will run through July, all on a Friday starting at 1pm. So grab some lunch, your favourite beverage, and get ready to learn. The first starts Friday week, July 3 – click to register now.

July 3rd 1pm - Introduction to Windows Mobile 6.5 and Marketplace: the opportunity and the platform
This webcast introduces the new and upcoming features of Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Marketplace. It also outlines the incredible business opportunity for developers to reach millions of users globally via Windows Marketplace – and the processes required to do so.
Register now for Live Meeting session 1

July 17 1pm - Getting started developing for Windows Mobile 6.5: developer tools, technologies, debugging and testing
Learn how to get started developing for Windows Mobile 6.5, what can be done with the new technologies and how to use your existing skills to start coding apps for Windows Mobile 6.5 phones via Windows Marketplace.

July 30 1pm - Widgets: the new internet application
Get insight into the Widgets platform for Windows Mobile 6.5 and discover how to develop powerful Widgets that leverage today’s web experience in a new way.

DonK

Technorati Tags: Windows Mobile 6.5,Developer,Training,Marketplace

Windows Mobile 6.5 Developer Tool Kit now available

wmOz — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:52:56 GMT

The Windows Mobile 6.5 Developer Tool Kit has just been released for download from

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=20686a1d-97a8-4f80-bc6a-ae010e085a6e

The tool kit adds documentation, sample code, header and library files emulator images and tools to Visual Studio, so you can start building applications for Windows Mobile 6.5 and the new UI. You’ll need the Windows Mobile 6 SDK to leverage the Gestures API & samples.

DonK

Technorati Tags: Windows Mobile 6.5,developer,Tool Kit

New msdn forum for Marketplace

wmOz — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:18:47 GMT

If you have registered as a developer for Windows Marketplace for Mobile then you should check out the new forum @ msdn:

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/mktplace/

The Marketplace for Mobile team posted this “Welcome” announcement:

“Welcome to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile developer forum. This forum is the resource for developers’ Marketplace application submission and certification questions.

The Marketplace delivers an end-to-end solution for end-users to discover, purchase, and download Windows Mobile 6.5 applications. This includes an end-user experience on the device, a PC website, as well as a self-service portal for developers to submit their applications for listing in the Marketplace.”

DonK

Technorati Tags: Windows Marketplace for Mobile,msdn,Windows Mobile 6.5

Motosurf A3100 – now available: new TesltraOne UI

wmOz — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:46:45 GMT

The Motorola Motosurf A3110 is now available via Telstra stores, on a $60 plan (over 24months).

The Motosurf comes with Telstra’s new TelstraOne UI, developed by PointUI out of Melbourne. This interface provides a very strong finger navigation UI, having used some of the beta releases I was really impressed. You get a consolidated Inbox, excellent call register application and if you like customising a bit then the PointUI Developer community has a stack of neat Applet that you can add-in (where the world map is in the picture above). You can then simply flick left or right to get to your chosen applet.

The review from Smarthouse will give you some further insight on the A3100.

DonK

Technorati Tags: Windows Mobile,PointUI,Telstra,Motosurf A3110

SWMUG Nostalgia Night - Preamble

wmOz — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:53:22 GMT

Tonight, (Tue Jan 13) at the Sydney Windows Mobile Usergroup, we host our annual “Nostalgia Night.” As this is our first meeting of the year, at a time when vendors are showing off the future of technology at Macworld and Consumer Electronics Show, but when many of our members, as well as potential presenters, are still on holiday. So we just go with a relaxed agenda.

The general aim is to spend time catching up with colleagues and friends, and meet new people in the Usergroup. All centred around your favourite mobile gadgets of all time.

Of course there is no restriction on make or model. Bring that old brick mobile phone which you can’t believe you ever carried around; that PDA which defied all logic of usability; the most exotic device of yesteryear and today. Marvel at how small, and fast, and functional, and, well, sexy, devices have become over the last decade or so, and laugh at just what we were prepared to put up with before.

As usual we’ll kick-off with a short segment on what’s happening in the Microsoft and Mobile worlds (aka The News) and then let people show off their devices. Feel free to swap, sell, or just drool at the technology on display.

There will be prizes for:

The oldest device that is still fully functioning
The person who brings an Apple Newton
The oldest Windows based PDA

and maybe more.

See you tonight in the Time Warp.

R42

Technorati Tags: Rog42,SWMUG,Cool Technology