New software gives iPhone-like interface to WM devices

MobilityFlow’s new Touch Commander software can provide Windows Mobile 5 and 6 touch screen devices with a 3D interface that, according to the developer, is similar to that of the iPhone and HTC Touch. The software allows users to make phone calls, launch applications, and perform other functions by “scrolling, browsing, and spinning” using a finger.

Microsoft announces Mobile Device Manager 2008 for businesses

Microsoft recently unveiled the Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, a mobile-dedicated server solution aimed at helping companies with tasks such as delivering new applications to phones over the air and using Mobile VPN to connect users and give them security-enhanced access to data (i.e., expense reports and customer information). Read more on page 68. AT&T and Sprint have both announced that they will offer support for Mobile Device Manager starting in 2008. Other companies will offer the service with new phones and in the form of updates starting in the second quarter of 2008. These include HP, HTC, i-mate, Intermec, Motorola, Palm, and Samsung.

HTC introduces GPS-equipped Touch Cruise

HTC recently unveiled their newest Windows Mobile device, the Touch Cruise. The Windows Mobile 6 Professional phone comes with a built-in GPS receiver with Tom Tom navigation support. Other features include HTC’s patented TouchFLO interface, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (2.0) receivers, a 400 MHz processor, 128 MB of RAM and 256 MB of ROM, and a 3 megapixel camera.

PDA-only device shipments continue decline

Sales figures from market analysis firm IDC show that the worldwide handheld device (PDAs without built-in phones) market has reported another quarter of a reduction in shipments. In the third quarter of 2007, handheld device shipments were down 39.3% from the same quarter a year ago. The decline is due to vendor scale back of production as well as withdrawal from the industry entirely. Vendors are also focusing more on the converged phone arena, which presently dominates the handheld market. Currently, the top five handheld vendors are Palm, HP, Mio, Fujitsu-Siemens, and Sharp, respectively.

Zumobi to offer new beta of Windows Mobile Web browser

Zumobi simplifies Web browsing on Windows Mobile devices.

Zumobi, formerly named ZenZui, is offering an open beta version of its Web browsing program for Windows Mobile devices. The interface is designed to make mobile Web browsing easier by displaying 16 tiles, each representing a separate Web page, in which users can zoom in or out on. The sites that appear on each tile are chosen by the user, and the sites are constantly updated by Zumobi’s servers so that users don’t have to wait for a selected site to load.

Windows Mobile devices lead in online banking

According to a recent report from Microsoft, Windows Mobile is the most popular operating system used by customers of Bank of America’s online banking service, which leads the nation in online banking. Bank of America’s online service has over 20 million customers using cell phones or smartphones for their banking needs. In conjunction with Microsoft’s MapPoint technology, customers can find the closest ATM or banking center and can check balances and pay bills while on the go.

Wi-Fi client simplifies logon process