...but still no Windows Marketplace

With Blackberry (RIM) launching their App World and iPhone (Apple) with the well documented success story that is App Store, you would think that Microsoft would be pushing hard to get an online window (no pun intended) into mobile application goodness sooner rather than later... Still 'coming soon'

Sure there are mobile interfaces to each of them, but I want to be able to see screen shots and read reviews on my desktop browser before making the decision to reach for the credit card.

As a mobile application development company like Handheld PCs, the reach to potential end users has never been greater, but it introduces a new model and potentially a 'pandoras box' of new markets. Do you opt for a consumer friendly try-before-you-buy model? If so would your application support it? Do you price your download lower to appeal to the greater numbers or higher to ensure you reach your 'target' market?

As nice as these problems are to have, the explosion of choice for customers will be overwhelming. The next challenge will be differentiating against the thousands of other applications that user have to choose from. Giving yourself a few lines of text to articulate your product, it's USP and it's value is no mean feat!

For some 'bedroom developers', this is make or break territory - opening up the floodgates, or being crowded out of your only route to market. For most enterprises it is more of a marketing tool; another touch point for existing customers and prospects. You're unlikely to make a strategic decision about a corporate mobile solution based on a download, but you might recognise the logo or the concept when you see presentation; get the flyer; read the email; see the email; read the blog...?

Windows Mobile 6.5 hits the streets!

We've known about it for some time, but the Microsoft PR machine has gone into overdrive with the official launch of Windows Mobile 6.5.

MSN today and Microsoft.com both have 'infomercials' running through the new interface features. It's worth a look, and will make the next batch of devices will look very much more Vista / Win 7 and less Windows XP.

Obviously only very new or upcoming hardware will be capable of running the new OS, which will come in the form of a firmware update from device manufacturers... watch this space!

New Xda firmware

O2 have always been pretty good at releasing firmware updates for their Xda devices, and there is an update for the Ignito and Serra available in the usual place here.

Upgrading the firmware can be a slightly tedious process - only achievable via USB and you wipe all device settings and data. However both the Serra and Ignito were slightly disappointing  for me in terms of their responsiveness so any firmware update has to be worth a look.

New HTC to be ranged by O2?

HTC jumped out from behind the O2 Xda brand a long while ago, so much so that Telefonica O2 are dropping the Xda moniker in favour of selling HTC branded products in future.  


As the Taiwanese device giant continues to deliver competitors to the iPhone, the rumour mill is almost constantly whirring across the web about what they will do next. If the latest of these is to be believed, the device codenamed "Leo" potentially appearing on our shelves as the Touch HD2 includes a 5 megapixel camera with dual LED flash, and of course GPS. It will also be running the latest incarnation of Windows Mobile: v6.5


The 1Ghz snapdragon processor should keep it snappy and the 800 x 480 resolution touch screen should show the captured photos to their full potential.


Thanks to engadget and htcpedia