Although Microsoft have long been a provider of Smartphone and Pocketpc operating systems they have not directly released branded handsets - that has now changed with the introduction of the new Kin One and Kin Two.
KIN One
KIN Two
Microsoft Corp. today announced KIN, a new Windows® Phone designed specifically for people who are actively navigating their social lives. Brought to life through partnerships with Verizon Wireless, Vodafone and Sharp Corporation, KIN is designed to be the ultimate social experience that blends the phone, online services and the PC with breakthrough new experiences called the Loop, Spot and Studio. KIN will be exclusively available from Verizon Wireless in the U.S. beginning in May and from Vodafone this autumn in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
With KIN, social networking is built into the fabric of the phone. KIN has a fun, simple interface, which is designed to help people publish the magazine of their life by making the people and stuff they love the focus rather than menus and icons. The unique hardware design was developed in partnership with Sharp to create a new kind of social phone. There are two models called KIN ONE and KIN TWO. Both phones feature a touch screen and slide-out keyboard. ONE is small and compact, making it a perfect fit for a pocket and to operate with one hand. TWO has a larger screen and keyboard, in addition to more memory, a higher resolution camera, and the ability to record high-definition video. The 5 and 8 megapixel cameras in ONE and TWO, respectively, are designed for use in low light with image stabilization and a bright LumiLED flash.
The New Way to Share
The home screen of the phone is called the KIN Loop, which is always up to date and always on, showing all the things happening in someone’s social world. KIN automatically brings together feeds from leading Microsoft and third-party services such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter all in one place, making it easier to stay connected. Customers can also select their favorite people, and KIN will automatically prioritize their status updates, messages, feeds and photos. Another unique feature, the KIN Spot is a new way for people to share what’s going on in their world. It lets them focus first on the people and stuff they want to share rather than the specific application they want to use. Videos, photos, text messages, Web pages, location and status updates are shared by simply dragging them to a single place on the phone called the Spot. Once all the people and content are in the Spot to share, the consumer can choose how to share, and start broadcasting.
Your Phone, on the Web
KIN Studio is your phone online. Almost everything created on the phone is available in the cloud from any Web browser. Photos and videos are freed from the confines of the phone and presented in an online visual timeline so they are easy to view and share. The KIN Studio automatically backs up texts, call history, photos, videos and contacts, and populates a personalized digital journal so it’s easy to go back in time to relive a crazy weekend or recent birthday. And the KIN Studio gives customers tons of storage to keep all those photos, videos, contacts and texts so they’ll never run out of space on their phone and lose a memory.
Music and More
KIN will be the first Windows Phone to feature a Zune experience — including music, video, FM radio and podcast playback. With a Zune Pass subscription, customers using Zune software on their PC can listen to millions of songs from Zune Marketplace on their KIN while on the go, or load their personal collection. KIN also has other features customers want in a phone including a rich browser with the ability to share pieces of the Web, local and Web search by Bing, and an RSS feed reader to pull down information on people and stories from the Web.
More information and a complete fact sheet on KIN are in the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/KIN.
Labels: KIN, KIN One, KIN Two, Microsoft
Microsoft has announced the latest iteration of it's mobile phone/Pocket PC operating system - Windows Phone 7 Series.
This will be found in handsets to be launched at the end of this year.
Bringing together other Microsoft elements such as Zune for Music and Xbox Live for games this version of the operating system is more akin to the Zune HD music player and this OS will be offered to OEM's such as Samsung, Microsoft and HTC to deliver handsets as Microsoft still do not directly manufacture a handset.
Specific handset models are yet to be announced, the very specific hardware requirements may mean this OS is unavailable for older handsets to upgrade to.
Labels: Microsoft, Windows Phone 7 Series
Nokia's E-series of handsets continues with the introduction of the slim and sleek E71 and E66.
Both offerring professional access to email whilst maintaining the Nokia high standard of voice and data communications.
Featuring data speeds of up to HSDPA and with onboard GPS for sat-nav and other location based services.
At launch these devices are listed as compatible with Nokia Mail For Exchange the Microsoft Exchange connectivity service - compatibility with other professional email systems such as Blackberry Connect is expected.
Expected in Q3 2008
Press Release
E71 DataSheet
E66 DataSheet
Labels: e66, e71, GPS, HSDPA, Microsoft, nokia eseries
SonyEricsson have released details of their latest handset - now with Windows Mobile (WM6) operating system.
The XPERIATM X1 combines a 3-inch clear wide VGA display and a full QWERTY keyboard within a quality metal-finish body. With Windows Mobile® inside, the XPERIA™ X1 lets you choose from a dynamic range of activities at anytime and anywhere; from enjoying your favourite entertainment content to working efficiently on-the-move. Access a world of experiences simply by touching the XPERIA™ panel on the screen.
Click here for more details
Click here for more images
Release date TBA.
Labels: Microsoft, SonyEricsson
Offering enhanced policy controls for Enterprise Windows Mobile devices - such as control of camera/bluetooth and the added benefit of corporate data access akin to the RIM Blackberry MDS service.
Introducing Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008
Key Features and Benefits
• Robust Security Management platform for Windows Mobile devices. Mobile Device Manager uses Active Directory/Group Policy—the most widely deployed enterprise network directory in the world—allowing IT professionals to set and control policies in a single, familiar environment.
• Comprehensive Device Management solution for software distribution and device inventory management in a complex organizational environment. With advanced features such as policy enforcement, inventory and reporting, and software targeting in one solution, System Center Mobile Device Manager provides an all-inclusive solution for all Windows Mobile Device Management needs.
• Mobile VPN delivers increased worker productivity with a single point for security-enhanced, behind-the-firewall access to corporate data and line-of-business (LOB) applications on Windows Mobile devices. This is achieved through a cutting-edge mobile VPN optimized for the mobile environment.
Product Features and Overview
Technical White Paper
Product Reference Guide
View the webcast and associated material online at Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/mobile/default.mspx
Labels: Microsoft, Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile 6: upgrade strategy statement
Microsoft recently unveiled Windows Mobile® 6, which offers improved usability and more PC-like functionality than previously available. Enhancements include the ability to view emails in rich HTML format, and to manage emails quickly and easily through new shortcuts and new calendar views.
The HTC S710 is one of the first Windows Mobile® 6 devices to ship, and will be followed by a range of products based on the new operating system in the coming months. HTC is also offering WM6 upgrades for the most popular devices in its current range.
This includes recently launched “messaging” products, which will enjoy the greatest benefits of Windows Mobile 6, such as the HTC Advantage, the HTC TyTN, the HTC S620, and the HTC P4350.
The upgrade will also be available for the award-winning HTC P3300, plus some of our operator-branded devices. The upgrades will be rolled out from June, in line with our operator partners’ strategies.
You’ll be able to find the latest releases as they’re made available at: http://downloads.europe.htc.com
For more information on Windows Mobile 6 please click here
Addition : O2 UK are also looking to follow suit with Windows Mobile 6 upgrades available for the XDA Trion and XDA Orbit soon - This upgrade for O2 handsets has already been released by O2 Germany.
Update 2/7/7 : The June launch failed to appear - HTC have provisionally given the dates below
- (X7500/Advantage) - Middle of September
- (S620) - Middle of September
- (TyTN) - End of July
- (P4350) - End of July
These updates will require Registration (at http://europe.htc.com ), and will be only available for genuine HTC branded products.
Labels: HTC, Microsoft, upgrade
Windows Mobile 6 devices to arrive soon
Working mobile is about to take a leap forward with Windows Mobile 6 - bringing great enhancements to familiar Microsoft® mobile applications like Outlook® Mobile, Office Mobile, and now Windows Live™ for Windows Mobile. Plus with security, scalability and manageability improvements, you will find it easier than ever to make your mobile workforce productive.
With Windows Mobile 6 mobile workers can:
- Access the company address list and add contacts via Outlook, have mail sent directly by Microsoft Direct Push Technology, and manage multiple e-mail accounts and mail folders - just like Outlook on the PC.
- View and edit Office attachments and now get access to files on your corporate file shares and Sharepoint sites.
- Enjoy the advantages of Windows Live, including single sign-on to Windows Live services, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, Hotmail, and Windows Live Search.
- Get increased control, security, and greater interoperability with Exchange Server and other IT infrastructure that helps businesses efficiently deploy, manage and secure Windows Mobile devices.
Documents
Microsoft Press release - Click here
Microsoft Data Sheet - Click here
Download Flash Demo - Click here
Microsoft Windows Mobile Home Page - Click here
Handsets will be available soon from both HTC and i-mate
i-mate handsets - Details click here
HTC handsets - Details click here
Labels: Microsoft, mobile, mobile 6, pda, pocketpc, windows
