Hands-on with the WM6.1 MWg Zinc II

We already know that some upcoming devices, like the new batch of Asus handhelds, will come with Windows Mobile (WM) 6.1 instead of the current WM6. With the imminent official release of WM6.1, users will probably be interested to find out which devices will come with the incrementally newer OS. We don't have the full list, but some information is trickling in and we have good news for those keen on an MWg device--the upcoming Zinc II will sport WM6.1, while the recently launched Atom V will offer an upgrade.

We got a bit of time with the Zinc II and confirmed the version of the OS (see screen on image above). Users will have to temper their expectations though--the user experience has not changed much from WM6. From early leaked screenshots, the main difference in interface will be seen in WM6 Standard for smart phones, not the touchscreen-enabled handhelds like this one from MWg.

The Zinc II will be commercially launched in Asia starting this quarter. MWg has not committed to any specific date for its upgrade of the Atom V, too, so current users will just have to be patient for now.

Microsoft sets Windows Mobile event for Asia journos on April 2

Despite the sniggers abounding over a rumored April 1 launch for Microsoft's new Windows Mobile upgrade, it's no joking matter after all. An official invite arrived in our inbox from the Redmond giant, extending an invitation to local press to attend a launch event at a Singapore venue on April 2. While the invite did not elaborate further on what would actually be announced at the event, it did indicate a "DOT" theme which we are inclined to assume is the dot in Windows Mobile 6.1. So an April 2 launch for us in Asia, April 1 for the western countries, as hinted (spot on, we might add) by Pocket-lint.

In fact, rumors and supposed screenshots of the new handheld OS update started appearing on the Web as early as December last year, followed by talk of an upgraded OS for several upcoming devices at the Mobile World Congress in February, which my CNET Asia colleague John Chan was at. The first concrete piece of news, however, came earlier this month when Asus announced that its Lamborghini ZX1 PDA-phone would run on Windows Mobile 6.1.

If our guess is right (come on, who's Microsoft hoodwinking with the vague press invite?), you can expect to see more related announcements on Windows Mobile 6.1 OS, and possibly new handheld releases in the coming week as well as OS upgrades for current Windows Mobile 6 devices. So stay tuned for more updates.

Samsung's GPS phones priced right

Samsung is a big brand with a focus on mid- to high-end mobile phones. So when it announced the SGH-i780 and SGH-i550W GPS-enabled devices, we didn't think much about the prices, expecting it to be comparable to others from big brands like HTC and Nokia. That's why it came as a surprise to hear that these two will be priced at S$828 and S$738, respectively--incredible prices for their feature set. What's more, the company has bundled quite a few items with them, so you won't be getting just a bare handset and charger combo in the box. More details after the jump.
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Windows Mobile 6.1 to be announced on April 1?

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that an April 1 date sure makes the whole announcement thing sound rather dodgy. But word is that Microsoft will be launching its rumored update to its Window Mobile 6 operating system on April Fool's Day, regardless of the implications, and which coincidentally (or not) is also the first day of the CTIA Wireless tradeshow in Las Vegas.

According to a report on Pocket-lint, Windows Mobile 6.1 is designed as the temporary upgrade solution for Windows Mobile handheld users before version 7 is introduced. The former will offer several enhancements over the Windows Mobile 6 version which debuted in February 2007, including a cleaner user interface, new homescreen, task manager and the ability to copy-and-paste in Internet Explorer.

We'll be in touch with Microsoft for the official statement, so keep a watch out for our upcoming updates.

Via Pocket-lint

It's a phone, it's a UMPC, it's...an HDPC?

An easier way to describe the HDPC (Hybrid Dual Portable Computer) is to list the things it won't do.

That basically includes writing my blog posts and going through mounds of e-mail and auto-deleting the stuff I don't want. Otherwise, the HDPC from Korean manufacturer MIU does almost everything I want to do during the day.

The list of its purported functions: Internet phone, MP3 player, UMPC, digital camera, voice recorder, e-book reader, Wi-Fi, navigation, camcorder, and portable video game player. It also runs dual operating systems: Windows XP or Windows CE 5.0 and Linux QPlus. The screen measures 4 inches, and the keyboard is a full QWERTY setup, and to top it off, its starting price tag is around US$500.

Sounds great, but there are several things to quibble over. First, in the looks department... it probably has a good personality. I mean, I want to like it, but the photos reveal it to be bulky, and the design is really lacking. If I actually used this as a phone I'd look like I teleported from 1994. (To see why, check out this photo of the phone in someone's hand.)

While the ability to have a phone replace that many devices is a fantastic idea, it will run into in the same problems in the US (if it's ever released here--so far it's on track for Korea only) as every other in-between-categories UMPC device: The display and keyboard are too small for a computer, and its too big for a properly portable device.
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