Mobinauts: Mobinauts - All things Windows Mobile, Google Android and Apple iPhone

Stay in control no matter where you go with i-Got-Control. This piece of wonder combined with it's associated iTunes application turns your iPhone into a universal remote control. i-Got Control has a built-in worldwide IR database and learning capability. What you need to do it to plug in the IRB1 accessory, select the equipment and control it. It's that simple and no WiFi network, wires or batteries are needed at all. i-Got-Control has an intuitive user interface, providing both audible and visual feedback to the user. It also replaces the multiple remote controls that clutter your home. The i-Got-control device is available now for only US$69.95 and the required app is on the App Store now.



Source: Slashgear

Microsoft showcased the new Marketplace for Windows Phone 7 Series at the MIX10 developers conference recently. The new finger-friendly Marketplace will eventually replace the current Windows Marketplace for Mobile and is being billed as the perfect place for you to find whatever it is you're looking for be it a game, apps or even music for your phone. The new paranomic view that Windows Phone 7 Series is highlighting also makes it's way to the new Marketplace to enhance user experience. There are also recommended apps that makes it to the "feature items of the day". Developers have now added the option for you to try an app before you purchase it. You can also read reviews and view screenshots of the app you are interested it before committing to buy it. Does the new Marketplace do enough to tempt you?





Source: WMPoweruser

Our all time a-la iPhone unlocking program Slide2Unlock2 recently got a major update to version 2.33 with a host of changes and fixes. Chief among the new features is support for proximity sensors (HTC HD2 and HTC Touch Pro2 has it). This is how it works - when the display is turned on when in lock mode, it will auto-unlock itself thanks to the proximity sensor. Similarly, if you lock the screen and put the device in your pocket or cover the sensor, the display will auto-shutoff. We've seen this before in other screen-locking utilities, so it's good to see the feature make its way to S2U2. The full changelog of version 2.33 is as follows:

• Changed the "slide to dismiss/cancel" option to the right-hand-side of the slider so as to synchronize with the OS.
• Added option to lock all message/notification/task preview when "Lock System Notification" is on.
• Added option to auto snooze an active alarm when power off.
• Added "slide to snooze" when an alarm/reminder is shown on the lock screen.
• Added option to shuffle the password keypad.
• Extended the "Lock on Talk" to lock the dialing screen if CallerID is enabled.
• Added support to the proximity sensor of HD2/HTC Touch Pro2 (the auto lock/unlock will be temporarily disabled if there is a message prompt).
• Added option to show current weather info if weather info is shown from Pocket Weather / TouchFLO 2D / TouchFLO 3D
• Added option to cache each frame of a GIF wallpaper by device memory.
• Added option to toggle the system volume ("slide to ringer/vibrate") when the slider is positioned at center.
• Added option to change the sliding text size.
• Added option to lock/unlock when the device is connected to a cradle.
• Added option to not to lock the HTC long End key press.
• Added a small music icon on the system bar to be shown if any one of the following music applications is running: (S2P, TouchFLO 2D/3D Music Player, Windows Media Player, MortPlayer, Pocket Music, Pocket Player & Nitrogen).
• Some minor bugs fixed.

S2U2 fans, get ready to hit the download button now.



Source: XDA-Developers

After Microsoft confirmed the lack of the feature in Windows Phone 7 Series, we have gotten hold of news that the newly minted OS will lack a file manager as well. Yes, you had not heard it wrong, the good ol' faithful File Explorer that allow users to handle file seamlessly from the start is now gone. Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business Senior Director Todd Brix has revealed to us that the company will enable a different methodology for file management on the next-generation mobile OS mainly to blend in seemlessly with the new user experience introduced with Windows Phone 7 Series. The file structure in the device is hidden from the end user, much like the iPhone and organization of files into relevant hubs. It looks very likely now that files will be automatically handled by the platform, from synchronizing the PC to arranging and managing the content and data on the device. Let's discuss what you think of this move?



Source: PocketNow

At the MIX10 developers conference at Las Vegas, Microsoft has all but confirmed that the most basic cut and paste feature will be missing in the Windows Phone 7 Series. According to EngadgetMobile, "there is a data-detection service built into the text-handling API that will recognize phone numbers and addresses, but Microsoft says most users, including Office users, don't really need clipboard functionality". This eyebrow raising move is ironic considering that Window Mobile users has been enjoying this functionality since this OS is introduced. Most will definately question this move. Is the omission due to the fact that time is running out for Microsoft to launch Windows 7 Phone Series by the holiday season or they find this feature to be not consumer enough? What we can do now is to hope that Microsoft have a change of heart.



Source: Engadget

Do you want some Android flavour in your Windows Mobile device? Dark Ninja from XDA-Developers has successfully replicated the HTC Hero/Desire/Legend taskbar onto the Windows Mobile taskbar. Just download the CAB file found here and install it in your device and soft reset! Try it for a refreshing change.



Source: XDA-Developers

LocDogg from XDA-Developers claimed to have dinner with the main distributor for HTC in Europe and provided us with some leaks on the upcoming HTC Touch Pro3. The HTC distributor mentioned that the HTC Touch Pro3 will be on sale in Europe during the 3rd quarter of the year which means it might sport the Windows Mobile 6.5.x OS instead of the coveted Windows Phone 7 Series. He further tempted us with the news that the Touch Pro3 will be much smaller and thinner then the previous 2 versions. Would he be referring to the HTC Tera, which is equipped with a QWERTY slider and a 3.0 inch WQVGA resistive screen? Given that Microsoft is basically sunsetting Windows Mobile, it is unlikely HTC will release any high end Windows Mobile handsets until the arrival of Windows Phone 7. The only hope is that it can be upgradable to the Windows Phone 7 OS.



Source: WMPoweruser

sh2sg seemed to be creating widgets for fun and the next app to recommend from him is Filmscope. Filmscope shows the information of the movie you are watching (which cinema and timing) right to your Windows Phone. There is also an option to show the upcoming movies too. No more buying papers or logging into websites just to check the cinema and the timing of the movie you wanted to see. Just launch Filmscope and you will have the information you need right at your fingertips! This application is available at Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

Note: Please note that Windows Mobile Widget requires Widget Engine that comes with the WM6.5 ROM.



Source: Mobinauts

For those who are envious that iPhone users can read news on Straits Times on their device doesn't need to feel that anymore. Local developer shank86 has developed an app for Windows Phone that can let you read the Straits Times news off your device too. This app is totally based on the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series user interface. Features of the Straits Times app as follows:

• Read all free articles
• View pictures related to the article
• Post it to your Facebook account
• Post it to your Twitter account
• Auto updates to latest version

The developer is also looking to bookmark news stories, have it view and read up to 7 days of back stories and include paid premium news which is for subscribers only at the next version. For those who read Straits Times frequently, download this app and read it on the move.



Source: Mobinauts

In an unexpected turn of events, the new Windows 7 Phone Series might operate in HVGA resolution (320x480) instead of the initial WVGA resolution (480x800) as thought. We all know that the initial batch of Microsoft next generation phone will be WVGA at launch but future updates will downgrade it to HVGA native resolution. Dedicated hardware will ensure image scaling across all those pixels without taxing the GPU. Game developers will have the option to develop a game of lower resolution (requiring less horsepower) and then upscale it while remaining compatible to a variety of screen resolutions. Shawn Hargreaves from Microsoft mentioned this in his blog:

"At launch, all phones will have a 480×800 (WVGA) display resolution, but we will add 320×480 (HVGA) in a future update. Of course you can detect the native resolution and program your game to adapt to this if you want, but the scaler allows games to pick just one resolution, always render at that fixed size, and still run correctly on phones with different native screen sizes. For bonus points, we automatically scale touch input to match your chosen resolution."

He goes on to say WP7s has a brand-new graphics stack "optimized from the ground up for mobile GPU hardware". Unfortunately this new stack does not include custom shaders, to the disappointment of many developers, but hopefully this can be added in the future.



Source: Engadget Mobile

Clearly dissatisfied by how the current Sense UI looks, [ElCondor] from XDA-Developers has decided to revert HTC Sense 2.5 back to it's original looks. Hot from the oven, this theme is called GTX Sense 2.5 and it skins the entire Sense 2.5 interface with white trimmings to give it a clean and professional appeal. Currently, GTX Sense 2.5 works with 192X builds of Sense UI, and they are still working on the update that has support for 201X builds. Do take note this theme only works with VGA and WVGA devices. To check out the Manila version, click on Start, Settings, System, Device Information and select Software Information. You can check the Manila version from there. For those who are giving the Sense UI a facelift, this is what you are looking for.



Source: XDA-Developers

For those who are using the HTC HD2, you might be familiar with the HTC Flashlight app. It's a great app but there is this only glitch when the app launches, it makes the handler watch an animated demo of the flashlight shifting through different modes which is annoying to most users. Now, NetRipper from XDA-Developers tweaked it slightly by removing this pointless animation. Download the zip file from here, extract it and then replace the .exe file with the original one. For those who wished to download this Flashlight app, click here. After installation, just replace the .exe file with the new one.



Source: XDA-Developers