Is this good or bad? It’s a zero-sum equation for most of us, as I doubt they will lose any features in the process. Plus, we can be pretty sure that they’re going to keep pushing boundaries of their UI, especially once they are focusing on just one. What is interesting is how it creates a sort of platform-independence from Microsoft and Google. HTC customers won’t care much which device they buy if they all work the same, right?

Clever, HTC… very clever.

Another set of pics:

Aside from a sexier look, the big difference between this version and previous iterations seems to be the depth of the interface. One major gripe about 2.0 was how easy it was to find yourself looking at the original Windows Mobile interface; it seems as if the new version goes much deeper into the system, practically eliminating any signs of the poor, ugly OS underneath.

There’s a nice video after the jump that gives you a real sense of the new version and how far down into the Windows Mobile OS its tentacles reach. Also some more screenshots, so check it out!

The video:

Some more pics:

I say “long-awaited” because I’m always eager to see Acer flood the market with their decent-quality, low-priced devices, as they did in the notebook and netbook markets, helping to push prices down.

These two new devices, the Tempo M900 and the soon-to-be-available F900 look pretty sharp:

Acer M900:

• Slider keyboard
• 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen
• Embedded fingerprint sensor
• 533 MHz processor and 128 MB of RAM.
• Mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, GPS, FM Radio,
• MicroSD memory card slot,
• 5-megapixel auto-focus camera with flash.

This guy is available now at Expansys, maybe elsewhere, too.

Acer F900
Acer has decided, like LG in my last post, to basically put out a slider and non-slider version of this device, and the F900 is the non-slider edition. Along with the keyboard, it also drops the fingerprint sensor and drops down to a 3.2-megapixel camera.

A slick-looking device, the LG-GM730 will feature a WQVGA (240×320) touch screen, a 5-megapixel camera, 3G (HSDPA), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and A-GPS. Powering this new device is the 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A processor, coupled with your standard 1000 mAh Li-Ion battery.

The LG-GW550, meanwhile, will LG-GW550, have a QWERTY keypad and other “business-centric features”. This device will also have a 2.4-inch QVGA display, but will be a quad-band GSM phone with tri-band (850/1900/2100 MHz) mobile broadband: 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 2 Mbps HSUPA. It will only have a 3 MPx camera, but will feature a second, front-facing VGA camera, and a 1,300 mAh battery.

Both devices are to run Windows Mobile 6.1, but will have the LG “S-Class User Interface”, which supposedly makes WinMo a little more user friendly.

Both are to be released shortly in Asia, no word on western release dates though.

NOTE: Your Windows Mobile Device must support Bluetooth DUN in order for the following procedure to result in an Internet connection.

Understanding the Connection

Although you may not realize it, your Windows Mobile device is a fully-functional wireless modem. Even if your device doesn’t support the process outlined here, it’s only because your carrier has disabled the service. When connected to a Windows PC, your Windows Mobile device connects to your wireless service provider’s data network and provides you with an Internet connection. This makes it possible to brows the Web on your laptop or desktop from any location with wireless coverage.

You’ll need to check with your wireless service provider about a wireless data plan. These are often separate from voice plans and allow you to use your Windows Mobile device as a wireless modem.

Step 1: Bluetooth Pairing, Setting Up a Partnership

In order for your Windows Mobile device to be used as a Bluetooth dial-up modem, you must first pair it with your Windows PC. Make sure your device’s Bluetooth is powered on and that the unit is in discoverable mode:

Next, open your PC’s Bluetooth software utility and search for nearby devices. When the name of your Windows Mobile device appears, select it and click Next:

Pair your Pocket PC Phone or smartphone and your Windows PC. Enter a PIN code if necessary (this is a code of your own choosing verifying the connection from both ends; using anything you like, but keep it short, e.g. 1234). When the Services menu appears, select Dial-Up Networking, then click the Finish button:

If Dial-Up Networking does not appear as an available option, you won’t be able to use your device as a Bluetooth wireless modem.
Don’t worry about configuring the connection just yet. Your Windows PC may install some drivers for the Bluetooth modem connection. Allow the process to complete.

Step 2: Configure Your Bluetooth Modem

Your new Bluetooth modem connection has been added to the Connect To subsection of the Start Menu (you can also view the new connectoin in the Network Connections menu by clicking Show All Connections or right-clicking My Network Places and choosing Properties). In this example, our Cingular 8525 Pocket PC Phone has been added as a modem:

Click the new connection. The following screen will appear:

You’ll need to enter the Username and Password later, but first click the Properties button. The Properties menu is where you configure the connection to interface with your wireless service provider, or ISP. First, under the General tab, click the Configure button:

In this menu, you’ll need to raise the maximum the maximum modem speed. Raise it to at least 460000bps (bits per second). Also enable Hardware Flow Control and Modem Error Control. Click OK:

Back in the Properties menu, enter the phone number for your dial-up ISP. If you’re connecting to you wireless carrier’s data network, there’s usually a dialing string to enter rather than a phone number. The string, for example, for AT&T/Cingular is *99#. You’ll need to get this information from your wireless carrier.

Click OK. You”re finished with the Properties menu.
You’re now back at the Connect screen. The dial-up number for your ISP or wireless carrier’s data network, should now appear in the Dial field near the bottom of the screen. Enter the Username and Password for your ISP. These will be provided by your wireless carrier and may be specific to your account or may be system wide:

Save the information for later use. Click Dial to connect to the Internet.

You’re done!

Step 3: Using the Connection

Whenever you want to connect to the interet using your Windows Mobile Bluetooth Modem, just click Start, Connect To and the title of your device, perhaps Bluetooth Modem):

To disconnect from the device’s Internet connection, right-click on the device and select Disconnect.
You can also connect to, disconnect from and manage the connection from inside Network Connections:

Final Thoughts
The screenshots shown above reflect the Bluetooth software on our primary Windows PC. Your Bluetooth interface may look a bit different.
The speed of the Internet connection with your Windows Mobile device will vary depending on your signal strength, the type of network (EDGE, EV-DO, GPRS, HSDPA, etc.)in your area.
If you want to dial into another ISP, like Earthlink, you can follow the same method shown above, but when entering the connection name, username, password, etc., enter the settings provided by your ISP.

The iPhone app store has over 20,000, but maybe 100 useful ones. The Palm App Catalog had so few apps at launch it was almost laughable. RIM’s AppWorld launched with about a thousand apps and just announced it had doubled to 2,000. There’s got to be over 20K Windows Mobile apps out there already… yes? 600 good apps would be nice, and a very respectable start. Lots of major developers have signed on so far, which bodes well for quality, and the sheer number of Windows Mobile devices out there suggests that once many of the uncertified apps go through the MS process, they may also appear in the Marketplace.

With everyone putting out their own app store (our sibling BlackBerry Cool recently launched the BlackBerry Cool App World by Mobihand to compete with RIM’s AppWorld) – what will it take to make one dominant? Sheer quantity of apps? A handful of killer apps? Let me know what you think!

“We will always have more Windows Mobile flagship products [than Android]. Our best-seller in Europe is the HTC Touch HD, running Windows Mobile.”

Good to hear, since HTC seems to make the slickest WinMo devices around. The interview with Mobinaute – a French tech publication – was primarily about the launch of HTC’s two Android devices (the Magic and the G1), which makes it even more comforting. He also offered up some thoughts on the iPhone:

“I think at the end of the year, the iPhone will become just another product. We have been in discussion for many months with mobile operators, I can assure you they want something else now.”

Oh, if only.

Bookworm is a superb word game for beginners and experts alike and allows you to test or increase your word power in a fun and enjoyable way!

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QuickList:

System/OS/Device Requirements: Color screen, Windows Mobile 2003 or later
Price: $9.99
Company: Astraware
Download here or grab the free trial here.

KEY FEATURES

• Intuitive Touch screen play system
• Built in instructions
• Can be used to both teach and increase literary skills
• Over 70,000 words in the dictionary
• Built-in High score tables
• Special bonus tiles boost your score if you can use them to make a word
• Brilliant for word game fans!

CONCLUSION

I love these little time-killing games and Bookworm is near to the top of my list of favourites. The mobile version plays just like the desktop version. Why not give the desktop version a try? It’s free online! And when you absolutely love that, be sure to come back here and snatch up a copy for your cell.

RATING (out of 5)

Canada, a land of great natural beauty and beautiful, warm, welcoming people. Today is Canada Day! Reach out to all your Canadian friends, family members and acquaintances and wish them a day filled with fun and laughter.

Say Vive Le Canada!

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day. On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st. On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as “Dominion Day” became “Canada Day”. Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the velour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe. Before 1982 Canada Day had been known as Dominion Day, First of July, Confederation Day, and July the First.

Celebrate Canada! is an eleven-day celebration which takes place from June 21 to July 1. National Aboriginal Day on June 21, will kick off the celebrations. Events continue with Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and culminate with Canada Day on July 1.

Did you know: The name Canada derives from an Iroquoian word for “village,” kanata, that French explorers heard used to refer to the area near present-day Quebec City. Today, Canada comprises ten provinces and three territories.

If you have ever played the classic board game then you’ll immediately know how to play on your Pocket PC device. The computer plays the role of the “Banker” so it automatically, accurately, and completely scores every player, every play and every game.

The Monopoly game for Pocket PC includes the ability to auction properties, buy/sell houses and hotels, mortgage/unmortgage properties and even set up complex trades with other players.

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QuickList:

System/OS/Device Requirements: Pocket PC 2002 or Pocket PC with Windows CE 3.0 or Newer
Price: Price: $14.99
Company: Handmark
Download here or grab the free trial here.

KEY FEATURES

• Computer plays “the banker” for automatic scoring at each move.
• Save and continue games “in progress”.
• 8 rule options including a “Free Parking Bonus” and “Short Game” options.
• Choose from 7 different computer opponent personalities.
• Play against one, two or three players on one device.
• Play against one, two or three players using multiple devices and IR beaming.
• Quick view into all the players’ status including properties owned, cash on hand, etc.
• View the details of each property including ownership, rent, houses, hotels, etc.
• Ability to setup trades with other players.
• Plays just like the real board game!

CONCLUSION

For the most part, this plays exactly like the real board game, assuming you can get past the smallish text. Otherwise, it’s a blast to play — a really classic time-waster!

RATING (out of 5)