Opera Mini 5 for Windows Mobile

The Opera Mini Beta 5 is now available for Windows Mobile 5 & 6 devices. Previously, Windows Mobile users will have to use the Java version if they want Opera Mini on the phone.

To get Opera Mini Beta, point your Window Mobile browser to m.opera.com/next.

Video: Introduction to Opera Mini 5

Asus to make Microsoft' branded Windows Phone 7 device?

It sounds hard to believe but since Google and Apple did it, now it's Microsoft's turn. According to a report on TheStreet.com, Microsoft will launch their own phone in early 2011 and Asus will build it. At least now we know that Microsoft is awake from its sleep, thank to Google and Apple.

Exclusive: Microsoft Crashes Phone Bash

Windows Phone 7 Series announced

The wait is over, Microsoft has announced the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series mobile operating system or what we have been calling it- Windows Mobile 7.

For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Check out this video:



The content on the new Windows Phone 7 Series is organised within something called "hubs":

• People
• Pictures
• Games
• Music + Video
• Marketplace
• Office

Some of the mobile phone makers that will produce smartphones with the new mobile OS include- Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC Corp., HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm Inc.

The only bad news here is that this new OS will not support Flash, for now. Phone manufacturers are probably not allowed to customise the firmware or interface such as adding in TouchFlo.

According to Mircrosoft, the first Windows Phone 7 Series phone should be available in stores by holiday 2010.- http://www.windowsphone7series.com/

Press Release

Windows Mobile for Automotive-Blue&Me

"Blue&Me", an innovative product developed by Microsoft and Fiat Auto in 2004 thats connects personal mobile device into car.

The system, based on Windows Mobile, makes driving more safer and comfortable.It takes in-car communication, information and entertainment to a new level.

Blue&Me works with most bluetooth enabled phone allowing you to make and receive call, without lifting up your mobile phone.

With its advance voice recognition system, you don't need to train it, to make a call, just mention the person's name on your contact list or or ask the system to dial a phone number, digit-by-digit. The system can also display(on the full color LCD) and read incoming messages out loud.

There are multi functional buttons on the steering wheel that allows access to the system features.

If you have an iPod or a thumdrive, full with music, you can plug in the device to the USB port to play music in the WMA, MP3 and WAV format.

There is also a GPS satellite navigation system which allows guided direction on the road, while driving.

Most current new and upcoming Fiat model has the Blue&Me system such as the Fiat Nuova 500.

New Fiat 500

Other car manufacturers(Acura, BMW, Citroën, Clarion Co. Ltd., DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Subaru, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, NexTech, Toyota and Volvo) are working on a similar system with Microsoft. The standard Windows Mobile for Automotive 1.0 has the following features:

• All underlying drivers for hardware
• Windows Mobile for Automotive middleware and application framework
• Device management tools for over-the-air updates
• Bluetooth hands-free phone profile
• USB port for digital music and device programming at dealerships
• Power management system
• Server connectivity support
• Speech software for managed voice-command features available in nine languages

Hardware features:

• 32 bit 300 MHz ARM processor
• Field programming gate array (FPGA)
• 32 MB flash memory
• Cell phone module (standard version only)
• GPS receiver (standard version only)
• CAN bus interface
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Microphone for voice interaction with system

More features such as weather and traffic information, satellite positioning of the vehicle in the event of it being stolen, an SOS service, and lots of others are currently being developed.

Blue&Me has won several awards such as the "Excellence in Technology of the Year Award for European Automotive Telematics and Infotainment market" from Frost & Sullivan, the "Telematic Update of Detroit", which recognised Blue&Me as the best telematics solution of the year and the "Eurostars 2006" prize from Automotive News Europe.

Blue&Me was unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

Has it arrived in Malaysia? What do you think?

Windows Automotive