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Oh nuts...
31 Dec 2008
Our forum just broke. It's broken in rather spectactular style. It was my fault, I was twiddling with live code and changed "something" along the way which has broken the forum. Now, normally this isn't a problem as I can just restore a backup, however after doing this it's still busted. I had about 20 windows open at the time and I can't honestly remember what I "tweaked" in the PHP / security settings to break things so badly.. however..
This is kinda what needed to happen. The forum was quickly mashed into the main website code a while back now and I also did so many changes to the phpBB code that it became almost impossible to upgrade the forum software. As a result we were stuck on an early version of phpBB 2 and people were merrily hacking away at it and the download area with me deploying an increasingly "interesting" array of defences. So, version 3 is now here and will be online shortly. This will go live on January 1st 2009, so get ready. Your username will be the same but there may be a need for some people to reset their password, sorry about this, but it's for the greater good! :)
Update - It's up again. We've lost the downloads area and the current theme / template doesn't gel with the main site, but pardon the dust while it's tweaked. :)
Update 2 - Links to the forum have been restored and we're working to have it look the same as the main site. The downloads area is currently off-line however everything else should work the same. Bear with us while this is being worked on, there's lots of stuff that needs fixing. HTML code isn't showing right due to increased security on PHPBB3, I'm working to convert this to BBCode.
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| Flexilis - Take part in this hot new beta!
31 Dec 2008
 Flexilis is a new company made up of security researchers, software developers and mobile technology fanatics. They want to help make the mobile world a safe place to work and play and the result is a new application which will keep your device and data safe. A private beta will be rolled out in the new year and Flexilis would love to have some of you guys on board. The application is fast, battery efficient and is designed to stop the loss or theft of data to hackers, malware and spam.
The guys are big fans of coolsmartphone.com so they've give us a special invite link. The first 100 people to sign up will be granted an invite to the beta, with everyone after that given priority access. So, if you'd like to take part and help out get clicking.
Link - Flexili Invite
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| Free DivX player from DivX themselves
30 Dec 2008
 Tom Ranson has just stumbled across the DivX Mobile Player for Windows Mobile handsets. We don't seem to have covered this, so get downloading if you've got some DivX movies burning a hole in your data card.
The player is currently free and has a stack of options to twiddle with. It'll play most of the movie / video files you might... ermm.. "find" on the internet and has a fullscreen option. In tests it worked rather well on my HTC Touch Dual, so give it a spin and see how it performs for you!
Link - DivX Mobile Player (divx.com)
Credit - Tom Ranson
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| Palm Treo Pro now for o2 customers too
28 Dec 2008
 The Palm Treo Pro has just popped up on the o2 website. It's been available for a while already to Vodafone customers but now o2 Business customers can also pick one up for absolutely nothing on selected tariffs.
Powered by a 400Mhz Qualcomm CPU and running Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro it's connected to the world with 3G / HSDPA, WiFi and has Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, micro SDHC slot, 3.5mm audio jack and 2 megapixel camera.
Link - Palm Treo Pro / o2.co.uk
Credit - Johnny De'Silva
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| Gecko Beta - Windows Mobile installer and possible store
27 Dec 2008
 I'll let you into a little secret. Installing stuff on your Windows Mobile handset can be a little complicated. Sometimes you get a CAB file, and that needs copying to your phone and running to start the installer. Sometimes you have an exe, but that could run on your PC or, in some cases, direct on your phone. Then there's Zip files, MSI installers and well, it's easy to see why people have problems.
Step forward Gecko. This is currently in testing, and xda-developers currently have a lengthy thread about the app. They're looking for testers, people willing to list apps, donations and designers. It's under development and there's still a lot to do but this aims to be the Windows Mobile equivelent of the iPhone AppStore. We'll be keeping a close eye on this one. Let's hope it receives the support and development to succeed, because Windows Mobile badly needs something like this to compete.
Links - Gecko - xda-developers
Credit - Tom Ranson
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| Qik - Live video from your Windows Mobile phone
27 Dec 2008
 Christmas is a time for family, but if your entire family can't be there qik could come to your rescue. They have just announced support for 20 new phones, including the Samsung Omnia, HTC Touch Pro, Touch HD and Motorola Q to name just a few. It'll also use data cards to help with poor network connections and there's a nippier feel to on-screen functions.
What is Qik? It's a way to broadcast live video from your phone easily. Your friends and family can then see you or your children enjoying that new present - live. You can also send out Twitter updates once you've streamed a video or post it direct to your YouTube account. If anyone misses your live video or you'd like to keep it private, don't worry - Qik will upload your video after you've finished streaming and you can lock it down so that only your nearest and dearest can watch it.
You can use your WiFi or 3G connection, however a GPRS connection will...just about work too. Don't worry if you have drop-outs, the program will upload your video (even via ActiveSync) and then everyone will see the super-smooth video after you've finished uploading. A good data package is pretty essential if you're going to use your network to send or stream the video.
Link - qik.com
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| ZTE E810 to appear as Vodafone 1230
27 Dec 2008
 Meet the ZTE E810. It's a QWERTY messaging device with some fairly basic specs. GPRS / EDGE, 320x240 pixel screen, 1.3 Megapixel screen, microSD card and it's powered by a 1100 mAh battery. Designed for the GSM 850/1800/1900 network it runs Windows Mobile Standard, so there's no touch screen but we're seeing GPS and Bluetooth mentioned in the manual.
Sure, it's ready for a launch on Movistar but we've also seen it on the Vodafone site as the Vodafone V1230. Check out the image below to see it, or try the getting started guide.
Links - ZTE E810 - Vodafone V1230
Credit - Johnny De'Silva
More...
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| SlingPlayer Mobile software updated
24 Dec 2008
 Regular readers may remember the Slingbox and SlingPlayer review we did some time back. We loved the system and wanted to keep it but the fiends at the PR company managed to grab it back. Damn. Today Sling Media have released updated versions of SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile Professional (touch screen) and Standard (non-touch screen) devices. The new updates include official support for multiple screen sizes, including 800x480, 640x480, 400x240, and 320x320.
Coolsmartphone veteran "Singh" has emailed in to say, "This new version (1.60.111) works properly on the X1 and on my Omnia. No more crappy remote button formatting probs, woooohoooo!"
The Treo 800w, Sony Ericsson X1, Palm Treo Pro, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, Omnia, Fuze and iPaq 910 are just some of the handsets now supported. Click the appropriate link below to get the software for your country.
Links - SlingPlayer Mobile USA - UK - Canada
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| Orange - New plans and handset news
24 Dec 2008
 It's Christmas Eve and I should be wrapping presents, but I just wanted to pass on some information about the new Orange talk plans. New Panther 45 plans are on the way which include 500MB of data, 1200 talk minutes and 500 texts. They also give you the choice of having unlimited texts or unlimited landline or Orange calls. The plans will be available as of December 27th.
There's not much in the way of new phones, although the HTC S740 (reviewed here) should be available in ALL Orange stores free on the £35-per month tariff. The Touch HD will also be free on £35-per-month tariffs with 24 month contracts from next week!
Link - Orange Shop
Credit - Orange Supergrass
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| iPhone vs Storm vs G1 vs HTC Touch HD!
23 Dec 2008
 The Gadget Show on Five have performed a face-off between the iPhone, Blackberry Storm, T-Mobile G1 and HTC Touch HD. Hmmm.. you'd think that iPhone would walk it, surely?
Well, no. Jon Bentley puts all the phones through their paces with camera quality, WiFi and push email capabilites all tested. Jon did quickly use the stylus and Today menu (instead of the finger-friendly TouchFLO 3D system), but there's some brilliant email composing and battery life testing - both tests that the HD excelled in.
The video is well worth a look, especially if you're planning to treat yourself this Christmas.
Link - Gadget Show Smartphone Test - Our review
Credit - Gavin Dowd
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| Merry Christmas from Coolsmartphone.com !
23 Dec 2008
 I've just spent 30 minutes looking for a parking space, 5 minutes sitting behind a guy who was arguing about a parking space, 30 minutes queuing in the bank and an hour battling through shops. Then, in the local supermarket, I witnessed the utter madness of people panic-buying milk and sugar as if the shops are going to be closed for the next month. Yes, it's Christmas, a time of joy, goodwill and collosal amounts of mince pies.
This year has been especially special for me with the birth of our son, Billy. He's a fantastically happy baby and it's great to spend every day with him. There's definitely a little added pressure on me now, but it's something I thrive on. Your emails, messages and posts make the site what it is and I want to thank everyone who's contacted me during 2008. I also want to pass on my Christmas wishes to every last one of you, have a great New Year too!
The site has undergone a number of back-end changes recently and we're planning more noticeable alterations in 2009. There's also something else approaching which I'll let you know more about when things are ready. During the festive season the site will still be updated, although the mince pies, turkey, Christmas pudding and wine may slow things down a little :)
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| i-Mate handsets get Winterface GUI
22 Dec 2008
 You've seen Winterface mentioned here before and it's certainly proving popular. Johnny De'Silva has sent in some shots of the i-Mate version. Called "i-Mate Go" it's the usual finger-friendly idea with quick and simple access into your stuff. The i-Mate JAMA 101 and Ultimate 6150, 8150, 8502 and 9502 are all supported, so if you've got one of these just download it.
If you don't own an i-Mate then don't worry - you can try and buy it here. It's $19.95, which is £13.43. Read on for more pictures of the i-Mate version.
Links - i-Mate Go - Winterface
More...
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| Cool apps from Trinket Software
22 Dec 2008
 Tom Harvey has been onto us about Trinket Software. He's spotted their cool applications which include No Calls, PowerSMS and Fake Call. You can try the software or buy for $9.99 (£6.70), except for Fake Call, which is $4.95 (£3.33).
No Calls will automatically reject calls depending on the caller. The simple interface lets you setup who is allowed through and who should be blocked - ideal for meetings or important events where only the most crucial calls should be allowed. PowerSMS, shown here, will let you send notes to yourself, send group texts, send auto-replies, schedule SMS's and backup or restore your texts. It's recently been updated to add extra functionality. Meanwhile Fake Call is a cunning way to escape dull meetings or family events this Christmas! :)
Link - Trinket Software
Credit - Tom Harvey
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| Microsoft Livelabs release Seadragon.. for the iPhone
18 Dec 2008
 couple of days now and I want to thank everyone who's emailed in about it. Microsoft has launched their first ever iPhone application, called Seadragon. It lets iPhone users look at high resolution pictures and zoom in on them easily over the net.
Whilst I can see the reason why Microsoft chose the iPhone, it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of most Windows Mobile users. The in-built "Pictures and Videos" application included in Windows Mobile was made by Microsoft. Sure, it's not meant to compete with Seadragon but that doesn't make it any better - it'll forget what directory you're working on and slowing to a crawl when you have more than a couple of dozen photos. The HTC Album application, and other apps like SplashPhoto and Kinoma make the in-built Microsoft app look even worse. Simply put, it's like Microsoft supplying "Notepad" for Windows Vista owners and then releasing "Microsoft Office" for Mac owners first.
Going to the Microsoft Livelabs site and choosing "Get Seadragon Mobile" shouldn't take me to the Apple iPhone store. It just feels ... wrong. The Windows Mobile phone should have those Microsoft-made apps first, regardless of the reasons.
Links - BBC News - Seadragon
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| Touch Shell interface - Free version now available
18 Dec 2008
 Here's another GUI for you in the shape of Touch Shell. We've mentioned this a little before, but now there's a completely free version too. The customizable user interface is based on the original Touch Commander with enhanced 3D effects to bring an advanced user interface with fantastic features and design. Touch Shell Free features a load of stuff we've only seen within TouchFLO 3D on the HTC Diamond or Touch HD etc.
The Touch Shell Free interface provides access to frequently used functions like phone calls, email and texting plus there's a big clock display and an appointment interface. The Touch Shell Pro version offers more extra features like a weather forecast, program launcher, photo contacts, audio player and more. It's also available at half price right now - just $9.98 / £6.46 instead of the usual $19.95 / £12.91.
Link - Touch Shell
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| Special deal on WebCamera Plus
18 Dec 2008
 It's been a while since we saw WebCamera Plus. It's a fantastic bit of software that turns your phone into a mobile webcam for your PC. Connecting over WiFi, ActiveSync, 3G, Bluetooth or GPRS / EDGE it'll let you go almost anywhere with your webcam!
The guys at Ateksoft have currently got a special offer for you. Just participate in this short survey and you can buy it for just $9.90 / £6.40 (normally $19.90 / £12.87). Be quick though, because the coupon code you'll receive is only valid for December / January. We're also hearing that an all-new version will be appearing early next year too.
Link - WebCamera Plus Survey
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| Pointui Home Version 2 gets previewed
18 Dec 2008
 We've been banging on about PointUI Home for ages now. It started off as a free user interface for your phone and has since been given added functionality and settings. Now there's a complete overhaul in the form of Pointui Home 2. There's applets, favourite applications and customization but alas it's not quite available yet.
While we wait there's
this preview video showing the interface in action on the Xperia X1 handset.
Link - YouTube video - Pointui.com
More...
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| 12 Days of Christmas Offers at Handango
16 Dec 2008
Handango currently have a sale on to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Just visit their site and each day click the link for a new deal. Today there's $5 off when you spend $20 - just enter the voucher code shown to take advantage of the deal and remember to check back every day until December 23rd.
Link - Handango
Credit - Lreldon
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| Get tactile feedback for free
16 Dec 2008
 Owners of newer handsets like the HTC Touch HD will already have something like this, but now you can get it too. TouchResponse is a free program which will vibrate your device when you touch the screen. It's a way to get a tactile feedback to your device navigation and you can download it for free.
Coolsmartphone reader Lee says..
"I have been using it now for a couple of days with a 25ms response time. After a couple of goes I soon become used to it and I have to say would now miss the feedback. Its a bit of a marmite program (love it or hate it)."
Give it a try on the link below, see what you think and don't forget to let us know in the forum.
Link - TouchResponse
Credit - Lee Harrison
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| Tired of your texting experience? Try A.SMS
16 Dec 2008
 Bored of the existing texting system on your Windows Mobile ? Try A.SMS instead. It's ideal for the regular texter and includes new functions and displays. This product page shows the difference between the existing Windows Mobile messaging system and the A.SMS version.
Messages are opened in the same screen with preview font sizes being adjustable and the list of messages being easy to see and read. You can also set a delivery time for your text, so the "Just finished the project" message can be sent to your boss while you're at the pub hours later. It's also possible to insert signatures, encrypt your message and alter a range of messages. Download the trial version and test it out for 5 days or buy it for around €19.99 ($27.32 / £17.88).
Link - A.SMS
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| Hey - my MP4 video won't play!
15 Dec 2008
 So, I'm back in the UK and I've just plugged my Windows Mobile handset into my PC. I've got lots of videos that I'd like to copy across to my machine and view. They're all in MP4 format, it's just a matter of loading up Quicktime and....
..ahh... This message pops up. Helpful no ? The way to get around this is a little fiddly, but once you've done the first bit it's easy enough to alter in future. If you're using Windows XP or Vista then click "Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View" and then uncheck the box that says, "Hide file extensions for known file types". Now you should find that your file has changed from something like "VIDEO0002" to "VIDEO0002.MP4". Now right-click and change "MP4" to "3GP". Accept the warning and then load up the video again in QuickTime and you're away. In future you'll just need to tweak the file name extension from "MP4" to "3GP"
Yes it's a little annoying, but luckily there's also another way - just download the free K-Lite Codec Pack with Media Player Classic and it'll show the files without having to tweak anything at all :)
Link - K-Lite Codec Pack (Standard)
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| Virgin Mobile - Unlimited web browsing for 30p per day
11 Dec 2008
 Virgin Mobile is to update their mobile data plans and will introduce a 30p unlimited daily browsing tariff. this page gives more details, with a claim that Virgin is 3 times cheaper than other networks.
Sure, in the UK when you say "Unlimited" it generally means "not quite, there's a fair usage policy". Here it's 25MB per day, but that's a pretty healthy slab of data working out to around £9 for 750MB per month.
Update - The marketing dudes have just pointed us to this rather strange video promoting the new data plan. Read on to see it!
Link - VirginMobilePeople.com
Credit - Johnny De'Silva
More...
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| HTC Touch HD receives glowing review from PC Pro
11 Dec 2008
 PC Pro magazine has rated the new HTC Touch HD with 5 stars in it's review. The phone achieved the "PC Pro Recommended" status with the reviewer stating...
"All told, we're hugely impressed with the Touch HD. It doesn't have the elegance of the iPhone from a software point of view, but in every other department it delivers, from its super-high resolution screen and camera to its work-friendly document compatibility and killer battery life. It's expensive SIM free, but the contract cost is already reasonable and likely to get cheaper in the future."
We've come to roughly the same conclusion in our review and it's great to see the handset receiving the recognition it richly deserves.
Links - PC Pro Review - Our review
Credit - Bill Lauber
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| Orange launch bigger data plans
11 Dec 2008
 Orange have just added three new mobile broadband plans. They include a 30-day tariff with 10GB of usage and two 18 month plans which give 1GB and 10GB usage respectively. These are to be made available immediately and target those using the Orange data dongles. It's a little unclear whether you can use these on your Windows Mobile, but we're presuming you can. The plans are as follows..
:Internet Everywhere 30 days 10GB Usage per month
- £29.36 per month. Out of bundle charged at 4.9p per MB. Dongle cost £48.50
:Internet Everywhere 18 month contract - 1GB Usage per month
- £9.79 per month. Out of bundle charged at 1.43p per MB. Dongle cost £29
:Internet Everywhere 18 month contract - 10GB Usage per month
- £24.47 per month. Out of bundle charged at 1.43p per MB. Dongle free!
Let us know if you've taken advantage of this offer, plus if you're using it with your Windows Mobile!
Link - Orange Mobile Broadband
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| Google Android running like silk on the HTC Touch
10 Dec 2008
 Woah, check it out. Google Android running extremely well on the HTC Touch. Sure, we've seen this before but this is really something - internet browsing, email and smooth animation and it only takes a restart to switch back to 'old Windows Mobile again.
How long before we get dual boot choice ? Check out the video below, or click this link.
Link - xda-developers.com / MyHTCPhone.com (via EngadgetMobile)
More...
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| Keep yourself updated with our stuff!
10 Dec 2008
 Something I probably haven't mentioned for a while is the various ways you can keep up-to-date with our news here. You can use our RSS feeds at the top of the site here. Bang them into your Google reader, netvibes or whatever reader you use and it'll update the very second a news item goes online. The second option is to follow us on twitter. Just do a search for "coolsmartphone" and it'll update you when we post something! You'll also get some strange comments from me every now and then using this channel :)
The third option, of course, is to keep checking in here on the main page. Many thanks to everyone visiting, no matter how you end up here :)
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