I just saw these screenshots from Endgadget “Is This Windows Mobile 7?” — I would like to answer: Yes that is definitely Windows Mobile 7! If these are real in-action screenshots, then it is probably running on an iPhone clone. However despite the similarities, I am anticipating WinMo 7 integrated handsets. Well lets take a look at some of these screenshots.

The implementation of Outlook looks very well done, and this mobileOS is going to put up some nice comeptition for the smartphone market. I would not necessarily be afraid if I was Apple, because I’m sure they have been expecting MS to copy them for sometime. The hardware I’m hoping will be as impressive as the iPhone, and we will be looking at some very exciting new devices.

Here is the photo editor with camera gesture recognition. Apparently you will have a lot more control with gestures, and the device will also respond to rotation and shaking.

This is what the phone controls appear to look like, and in the background there is the programs list. The phone also seems to be able to capture photos using some new auto focus technology. On top of that it could act as a controller to all your Windows Live media. I would also expect it to integrate in to the highly unaffordable Microsoft Surface.

Here is the new Windows mobile media player, not as sleek as the iPhone, but looks to get the job done. Overall I think Microsoft has put quite a bit of time in to their next version of WinMo7, and I can’t wait till some demo videos start popping up.

So I get asked a lot about how the Apple support is for the iPhone?

Apple support is quite good, at least I think so; I lost my entire iTunes library (about $2k worth of songs) and they promptly allowed me to redownload everything I had lost. Although I don’t really like the “geniuses” that work at the Apple stores… They think they are uber smart, yet know nothing of how to truly use the iphone (by jailbreaking/modding/etc). My biggest GRIPE with apple is how SJ used to build homebrew PC’s and had intent to destroy corporate IBM — Yet he himself has turned to a corporate fanwhore belting iPhones with AT&T (+ don’t get me started on the iPhone SDK.)

As a business oriented individual, I don’t really consider the iPhone to be that great. The sound quality in my own personal experience is poor at best. Not to mention it hurts my ear after 5 minutes of talk time. Now a stock iPhone, without any cool games or themes (these are cell-phones, why on earth would you not let people skin the thing out of the box?) is just a lackluster effort. The maps (implemeted by Google) is the best feature of the phone. Next to mobile safari, which is great for a mobile browser, yet has no flash support (as some of you may or may not know.)

However I have switched backed to Motorola handsets as I get faster EDGE speeds, and I am mainly using maps with my phone on T-MO. The operating system that every smart-phone that actual smart-people will end up using is Android. The Linux operating system is truly open, and I believe Android has captured the true essence of how Internet phones should be implemented. See “HTC Dream”

Android will be succesful with mobile operating systems, as Microsoft became succesful with personal computers. Regardless of price (Android is free, and Microsoft cheats.) they are able to run on multiple hardware platforms. There is no sense in saying the iPhone is the best phone ever made, because it simply is just a phone that is really cool. It does not neccesarily fit the needs of every consumer in the USA alone. Not only that but it is down right expensive, and does not appeal to most demographics.

Sidenote to my insiders:
And I wouldn’t rock a macbook because it is simply overpriced. Now I know (Stathis) some of you drive Ferraris and such, wearing $900 sunglasses and whatnot… lol but I am seriously sick of people w/ macbooks inside starbucks when I am getting coffee I have to look at them. I would rather like to flick a ciggarette into their pomade laden hair.

Now back to eating corndogs, and being the most pessimistic person alive.

I have been waiting for this, the BlackBerry 8820 is coming to T-Mobile and it has got the wi-fi hotspot capabilities everyone was hoping for. T-Mobile has a Hotspot@Home solution plan that only costs $9.99 a month, and allows you to make unlimited nationwide calls on your network. Something the business savvy white color folks have been using for some time, and now that you can have this solution on your BlackBerry is a brilliant move for T-Mo. This package is really going to appeal to people who travel often, and find themselves making loads of calls in hotel lobbies and airports.

The BlackBerry 8820 also has built in GPS navigation for use in conjunction with BlackBerry maps and Telenav directions. It comes with the original QWERTY style keyboard and a nifty trackball navigation. The keys are easy to tap, and make e-mail, text messaging, and surfing the web a breeze.

Additional features of the BlackBerry 8820:

• Multimedia Player
• EDGE, GPRS, 2G GSM, Bluetooth
• WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
• GPS Navigation for BlackBerry Maps
• SMS, Email, Instant Messaging

RIM’s BlackBerry has always been about business, no frills (no cameras) phones built for reliability and productivity. This is not something you would give as a gift to your tweeny bopping kids… This my friends is serious business, and as an occasional BlackBerry user I have no complaints with how the phone functions according to its purpose. As far as I’m concerned this is the best phone you can get if you are rocking a T-Mobile plan (besides of course a jailbroken iPhone.) I have never had any problems with T-Mobile in terms of coverage and cost (unlimited internet plan for only $19.99) and the speeds are great too especially if you are near a hotspot.

Believe me, no one is more concerned about the positive progression of cellular phone distribution than I am. However that also makes me just as deeply concerned regarding the fact that as research continues more bad studies show up related to mobile phone usage.

Example of Health related Articles showing up in the Media:

• Are mobile phones a health hazard?

The impact that mobile phones have on health is unclear. Some scientific studies have linked use of mobiles to headaches, memory loss and cancer, while the industry claims that they are perfectly safe.

• Cell phone radiation may make it harder to get good night’s sleep

The study, considered one of the most comprehensive measuring cell phones radiation and sleep, involved 36 woman and 35 men, aged 18-45.

The FDA-commissioned study says we don’t know much about wireless risks. Personally for my own health concerns I usually sleep upstairs, with my phone downstairs. Yes, even I an extremely tech savvy person do not have a bluetooth attached to my skull at all times. If you think about it only over the last 10 years have we really been using cell phones. It is not really a human neccesesity, more rather a desire to be connected to your “social circle.” I am sincerely not advocating the disposal of all cellular devices, that would be very contridictory to my blog. My humble opinion is simply, get away from it all from time to time so your feeble mind can relax. We as humans have made these things we obsess over, when really the things we should obsess over are the simplest. So if you are having a hard time sleeping tonight, try putting your phone in your car and getting to people when you feel like it on your own time, like a man.

Well not exactly, Motorola has announced it is considering ways to deal with its doddering mobile phone division. Most speculators and analysts are saying this means either selling or rethinking some of the core business models for the company. Of course they still hold 13% of the market for handset sales, yet this is down 10% from last year. Motorola said it is “exploring the structural and strategic realignment of its business to better equip its Mobile Devices business to recapture global market leadership and to enhance shareholder value.”

I think Motorola has a real strong chance in accomplishing a comeback, but I am skeptical if it can hold it’s own in the consumer based smartphone market, which Apple managed to capture more than 19% in the first 12 months. Moto has some great handsets, but they are going to need to start rethinking new ways to make more cutting edge products. If they want to think outside the box I would suggest partnering with Google, and getting in with Android.

It looks like Sony Ericsson is revamping the successful K850 Cyber-shot camera phone. This time however the K850 will come in a glossy black. However I will always prefer the neon green edition (below.) This will likely appeal to the more sleek businessman who doesn’t want to be as flashy as opposed to someone who may or may not watch the matrix on a daily basis.

Features of the Sony Ericsson K850:

• 2G Network GSM
• 3G Network HSDPA 3.6 Mbps (K850i only)
• 240 x 320 pixel Display
• SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
• 5 megapixel camera with autofocus
• 30fps QVGA video capture
• MP3/AAC/MPG player
• UI rotation via motion detector

The dimensions to the phone are 102 x 48 x 17 mm and it weighs in at 118 grams. This handset is of deluxe fashion, and truly has all the features and functionality of a great phone. 3g integration is going to be very important to consumers once we realise what we are missing toying with our low speed EDGE phones. iPhone users like myself will soon be feeling left in the dust once cell manufacturers catch up in the UI department. As we all know in this business the most important aspect of any mobile device is the backend or infrastructure that which it runs upon. The Sony Ericsson K850 and K850i has been on the market since July 2007.

I got wind of this from the modmyiphfone Unlock Status page. This video has been confirmed to be authentic, and iPhone users anticipating the release should be patient. It is likely the jailbreak will be released within the next few days rather than weeks. Unless for some reason the devteam believes that if apple is to release the SDK with a 1.1.4 version that the security will be unchanged (not likely.)

Ever since the launch of the Apple iPhone last June certain web developers have taken it upon themselves to build custom iphone orientated web sites. Some of you may have noticed facebook’s iPhone page some months back, and I was quite impressed with the outcome of that project. Hotels.com has recently launched their own custom iPhone portal to add to the growing list of iPhone websites.

More made for iPhone/iPod websites

• digg.com/iphone - Great bookmark to have for the latest digg news stories.
• weather.com/iphone - Weather for the iPhone, but there is already a widget for this built into the iPhone.
• iphone.ebay.com/ If you are on Ebay as much as everyone else you’ve probably already seen this.

Are these websites really necessary? IMO no, simply because the iPhone’s screen is wide enough to view most of the internet without any real problems. It is nice however to see companies adapt to new technology and go out of their way to support new devices in this way. Starbucks is also expected to have a custom tailored widget that will enable iPhone users to order coffee, lattes, and mochas, which of course will be very exciting.

[update] TechCrunch has just reported a iPhone version of iGoogle

This is actually very scary if you own an iPhone.

From what I gather he is using the TIFF exploit that has been patched in 1.1.2. However I’m not sure what version of the iPhone he is using. This poses some vulnerability to all smartphone owners, not just the iPhone. And it is quite disturbing knowing that someone who had the will power could essentially turn your phone into a bug or even hijack all of your personal information and contacts.

This article has been edited and updated for the latest 1.1.2 firmware

1. Step 1. if you are using 1.1.2 you must downgrade to 1.1.1 — which isn’t a big deal since 1.1.2 only adds language support. Sorry there are more complicated ways of solving this dilemma, but this is the simplest solution.
2. Step 2. using a wifi connected iPhone simply visit jailbreakme.com in safari (see this website if your iphone is not activated and you cannot get in to safari.)
3. Step 3. wait for the jailbreak to install and restart your iphone. You should now see a new icon titled “installer” this will allow you to download many apps.
4. Step 4. if T-Mobile service is not automatically indicated install anysim from installer.

Tip: for custom backgrounds and themes try installing summerboard.