Microsoft Office Labs: Speed Launch
Followed to the Google initiative to give employees some spare time to work on whatever they want. This is the first community prototype (Microsoft employees work on in their spare time) from Office Labs. The project called Speed Launch, an utility similar to Launchy.
Speed Launch is an application launcher that extends the functionality and usability of Microsoft Windows. With Speed Launch, users can select their own words to open frequently used web sites, documents, and applications. The most compelling feature of Speed launch is the use of a drag and drop interaction model to make this advanced functionality more intuitive to novice computer users.
How is it used? How does it work with Windows?
Speed Launch is a downloadable program available at www.officelabs.com. After you’ve download Speed Launch, simply drag the file, document, or website url onto the Speed Launch bull’s-eye to create a Speed Launch shortcut. From then on, any time you need to access that file, document, or website, just hit "Windows+C", type the shortcut name, and what you need will immediately appear. [Via Channel10]

The Treo™ Pro smartphone by Palm Announced
After several pictures leaked to the Web, Palm finally announces the latest Treo running Windows Mobile 6.1. While it is well known and still be a business focused smartphone device, the emphasis will be more on the entertainment valued proposition to target iPhone potential users. The message that Palm conveys is “WORK. LIFE. PERFECTLY BALANCED.”
An intriguing remark: The company shows YouTube viewing with Windows Mobile Player.
Another newsworthy note is in the US, Palm pro will be sold as unlocked – bon-subsidy GSM smartphone priced at $549.
In other countries UK, Autralia, users can get contracts with Vodafone, O2 and Telstra.
Treo Pro will be available in September in Europe(2) through Vodafone (from free to €399 with contract) and O2 (pricing is available from O2 direct sales and online business stores), and in Australia through Telstra (from free with contract). It will be available in the United States in the fall through the Palm online store (http://www.palm.com/store) as well as select Internet, retail and enterprise resellers for a suggested retail price of $549. The U.S. version is unlocked and unsubsidized, giving end users the flexibility to simply insert their existing active SIM card and immediately start using their Treo Pro without a new contract.
Specs
Platform
Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional Edition
Processor
Qualcomm® MSM7201 400MHz
Display
320×320 transflective color TFT flush touchscreen
Radio
HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS/GSM radio
Tri-band UMTS – 850MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz
Quad-band GSM – 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz
Wi-Fi
802.11b/g with WPA, WPA2, and 801.1x authentication
GPS
Built-in GPS
Bluetooth®
Wireless Technology
Version: 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate
Memory
256MB (100MB user available), 128MB RAM
Camera
2.0 megapixels with up to 8x digital zoom and video capture
Battery
Removable, rechargeable 1500mAh lithium-ion; Up to 5.0 hours talk time and up to 250 hours standby
Expansion
microSDHC cards (up to 32GB supported)1
Connector
MicroUSB™ 2.0 for synchronization and charging
Audio
3.5mm stereo headset jack
Dimensions
Length: 4.49", Width: 2.36", Depth: 0.53", Weight: 4.69 oz
Color
Obsidian
System Requirements
Windows® XP, Windows Vista™
Software on device
ActiveSync®; Adobe Reader LE; Bluetooth®; Bubble Breaker; Calculator; Calendar; Communications Manager; Contacts; File Explorer; Get WorldMate; GoogleMaps; Internet Explorer® Mobile; Messaging; Microsoft® Office Mobile including Excel® Mobile, OneNote Mobile, PowerPoint® Mobile, and Word Mobile; My Treo; Notes; Pics & Videos; QuickGPS; Quick Tour; SIM Manager; Solitaire; Sprite Backup; Streaming Media; Tasks; Telenav; Voice Command; Windows Live™; Windows Live™ Messenger; Windows Media® Player Mobile
Courtesy of SlashGear
[Source Press Release]
Palm Incentive!Palm Offers WM6 Upgrade to Treo 750 Palm Treo 650 and 680 Comparison Treo Running Palm-OS Has MS Exchange Push Mail Support Palm Treo 700P available (along with 700W) first at Verizon |

AOL Upgrade Flash Based AIM and New Client for Windows Mobile
AOL has released a new online Flash based version 7.0 of its AIM Express with tabbed conversations, status messages, text-message support to communicate with buddies’ mobile phones, and compatibility with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 6 and 7, Mozilla’s Firefox 2 and 3, and Apple’s Safari 2 and 3. Learn more about AIM Express HERE!
AOL also announced a new version of AIM for phones using the Windows Mobile operating system (Professional Touch Screen and Standard Smartphone).
What is AIM for Windows Mobile?
AIM for Windows Mobile brings all of the best features of AIM on your PC to your Windows Mobile smartphone! AIM for Windows Mobile lets you communicate whenever you want, wherever you are, in whatever way suits you best - IM or text. Update your AIM status and information when you’re on the go. Change your conversation style, manage your Buddy List, and much more. AIM Windows Mobile Smartphone has many of the same key features and a familiar look-and-feel of the desktop AIM client.
Supported Devices: AIM for Windows Mobile supports devices with the Windows Mobile 5 and Windows Mobile 6 operating systems. Some examples are:
- T-Mobile Wing™
- Sprint Mogul™ and HTC Touch™
- AT&T Blackjack™ II, Tilt™
- Sprint Samsung Ace™
- Motorola Q
- Verizon Wireless XV6800
- Most Palm Treo’s
Qtek Offers WM6 Upgrade to HTC PhonesPhatPad 4.2 Available VoIP Without a Client Program: Gizmo Call Samsung i600- Blackjack WM6 Upgrade WM6 Upgrade for AT&T 8525 Available |

HTC Touch Diamond Has Hardware Multi-Touch Support
A great finding by Wmpoweruser that proves the HTC Touch Diamond has indeed a navi-wheel capacitive, and he whole front of the device can track finger movements, and even two fingers independently.
To prove this capability, the author video taped an application called Nav Debug Tool by HTC .
Unfortunately, the latest version of Windows Mobile does not support this function. WM users have to wait until next version WM7. But we hope now the cat is out. Somebody will reverse engineer the API the same way they did with the accelerometer API.
[Via msmobiles]

Copy and Paste on iPhone Possible
Zac White an iPhone app developer initiates the framework that allows Copy & Paste on the iPhone without violating iPhone SDK agreement.
MagicPad is the first app that fully support Cut & Paste using Zac’s open source project called OpenClip, which allow any iPhone app to implement copy and paste functionality. More apps will be using OpenClip can be found HERE!
[Via Cali Lewis]
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V and Ctrl+D- Free Utility: Copy/Paste on Your Smartphone Free Utility: MyMobiler Remote Display Cl1p.net Web Clipping Tool and More… Tweaks2K2 GiveAway! |

Sprint Debuts HTC Touch Diamond September $300 With Contracts
The picture says it all! However I notice the form factor is more rounded than the previously seen. [Via EngadgetMobile]
HTC Touch Pro Coming to Sprint October 19thSprint Diamond Launch Date: September 2 HTC Touch Victor Apperance HTC Touch Diamond - First Review is Up! Sprint Worldphone (CDMA, GSM) Samsung Ace Available |

Phelps Making History in 60 Seconds
Michael Phelps broke the world record for total number of Gold Medals achieved by one man at an Olympic Games. Here are Michael Phelps’ eight Gold Medal winning performances in a bite-size 60 second video.
[Via Mahalo]

Screenshots of Nike + iPhone App Available
The upcoming Nike + iPhone app will be released shortly in the Apple app store but this French site iPhon.fr already got some screenshots for your review.
The app is for runner to track various information such, pace, distance, GPS, etc…
The question here is in the previous iPod + Nike solution requires a small device attached to the shoes for the pace but the iPhone has its own accelerometer, would the app still require this small unit?

Higher Resolution YouTube?
Despite its popularity, YouTube video resolution is still to be desired. Last November, YouTube founder gave hints that they would be offering videos at higher resolutions. It appears that a small number of newer videos can already be seen at their higher resolutions. And the good thing is you can try this out just by adding to the end of the URL:
-
&fmt=6to bring the resolution from 320×240 to 448×336. &fmt=18to get MP4-encoded version, with better audio and a 480×360 resolution.
Watch the video courtesy of Latelink.
Don’t forget the "garbage in, garbage out" rules. The video must be encoded at better resolution to start with.

PhoneFace: New Photo Dialer for Blacberry
PhoneFace, a new application for Blackberry user to conveniently calls, text messages, and emails by clicking on the picture of the contact from built-in address book . If you are Facebook user, the app also allows to download profile photos from your contacts in Facebook.
This application is compatible with the BlackBerry Pearl, Curve, and all 8800 models.
PhoneFace is available in our store ($9.95) HERE!.
Microsoft to release new Power Toys for Windows MobileNew Dialer & Skins Photo Dialer beta for Smartphone Handy Dialer V0.98: Easy Dialing HTC Touch Look on your WM Device |

Ralph Lauren in the Mobile Technology Era
Ralph Lauren, the popular American Fashion outlet has launched their mobile site http://m.RalphLauren.com, for mobile user to browse, watch sport event contents (US Tennis Open) and ultimately purchase merchandise.
But the cool thing is they also proud to launch the QR code for consumer. The 2-dimensional QR code can be found on magazine ads, store window display, etc..user can scan it using a mobile device to be taken directly to the mobile web site. No typing, no hassle. User needs to download the QR reader software first to the mobile phone in order to use.
Read more HERE!

Apple is Making-up MobileMe Users: More Extension
Apple once again is making up for the problems that plagued MobileMe’s launch in July, Apple has announced that it will extend user accounts another 60 days for free–that’s on top of the previous 30-day free extension.
From the The MobileMe Team:
“We have already made many improvements to MobileMe, but we still have many more to make. To recognize our users’ patience, we are giving every MobileMe subscriber as of today a free 60 day extension. This is in addition to the one month extension most subscribers have already received. We are working very hard to make MobileMe a great service we can all be proud of. We know that MobileMe’s launch has not been our finest hour, and we truly appreciate your patience as we turn this around. “
Read more HERE!

More Details About Android Phone Emerge
Businessweek shares a source of information coming from Moe Tanabian, a senior principal at IBB Consulting who claims that he has seen the HTC Dream with Android OS device. He gave a lot more details on its software and hardware. The details seem to go along with the details we got from FCC.
Here’s Tanabian’s run-down on the Android phone’s software features:
- If you want to receive push e-mail, you’ll have to use Google’s Gmail. It’s unclear that the phone will support Microsoft Exchange.
- The phone will have access to upcoming T-Mobile App Store, which will be very similar to Apple’s store featuring third-party iPhone applications. Only T-Mobile will likely place fewer restrictions on software developers, so that Android phone users may have more games and productivity apps to choose from.
- The phone will come with Google’s advertising software pre-installed. Customers who opt in to receive mobile ads from Google may be offered to buy the phone for a lower price, and may also pay lower monthly service fees. The Google platform will serve ads based on your interests and location, provided by the phone.
- The Android phone’s screen will be larger than the iPhone’s, he believes.
- The handset will feature a track ball, making it easier to navigate menus with one hand.
- Down the road, perhaps the phone may be able to hook into T-Mobile’s Hotspot @Home service, allowing people to make unlimited calls via the Android phone from home or office.
- The Android phone will hit stores around Thanksgiving, not in September-October, as some news outlets have reported.
[Source Businessweek]
