No more Outlook with HP iPaqs

Found on HP's support site is a document revealing that the Microsoft Outlook setup will not be available on the Getting Started CD shipped with every HP iPaq manufactured after March 2007. Because it is a support document, the solution given there is that customers who need Outlook will have to purchase a copy separately from Microsoft.

Windows Mobile device manufacturers usually bundle a standalone copy of Outlook for those customers who may not use the Microsoft Office suite (of which Outlook is a component). This means extra cost for those without Outlook as it is necessary for syncing of contacts, emails and calendar information. When contacted, HP was not yet able to comment on the reasons for this exclusion, or whether it will result in a reduction of the iPaqs' prices. Also, it is unsure whether the move affects all iPaqs or just those shipped in the US. More information to follow as it becomes available.

StarHub's pfingo brings interconnectivity to your hands

Sure, we've had Pushmail, Internet telephony, instant messaging and remote file access services. But to house them all on a single client interface? That's something new and possibly one of the first to market.

Editors' note: 29 March 2007--StarHub Singapore has announced at a press briefing that the public can sign up for pfingo services starting today. According to the company, the three-month trial will be available free for between 2,000 and 3,000 users on a first-come-first-serve basis from 2 April. Successful applicants can also look forward to receive S$20 (US$14.43) worth of international voice (via VoIP) and SMS credits and a choice of a 3-series number for internet telephony. Interested users can sign up at the Web site here. Just don't be the 3,001th person to click submit on the portal.

22 March 2007--StarHub Singapore has started a three-month closed trial for a select group of 30 users to test out its new mobile service concept and platform. The beauty of pfingo as we were told at today's press briefing is that it's not tied to any operator nor any phone, which means if you're on MobileOne or SingTel (in Singapore), you won't be left out when the service becomes commercially available.

Registering ourselves on the pfingo portal was a breeze and we get to pick the number we want. Before we continue, signing up for the service means you'll get a new eight-digit mobile number that begins with "3" instead of the current "9" and "8". This number forms the heart and soul of pfingoTALK which works regardless of your location; it allows you to talk for free (to any pfingoTALK number) when connected to a Wi-Fi network and any Singapore number for a monthly flat rate.

The two other services, pfingoACTIVE and pfingoMAIL, activate Pushmail (up to five accounts), RSS feeds, instant messaging, remote file access and synchronizes with Microsoft Outlook for Contacts, Calendars and Tasks. Our main concern was with the data charges involved when we connect to either GPRS or 3G networks in the absence of Wi-Fi. To that, StarHub claims pfingo's services use a highly efficient data compression so the actual number of bits transferred is actually smaller. As to how that pans out in actual use, we'll update nearer to the end of the trial.

At press time, StarHub Singapore had no indication of the price plans involved, though users can expect the service to roll out over the next few weeks.

Did you know? pfingo (pronounced fing-go, with a silent p) comprises two parts: P for phone, and fingo to represent your fingers on-the-go.

Screenshots:

Give your mobile phone legs

Slippery fingers and slim camera phones does not a good photo make. If you are one of those lucky ones who owns a Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot cellular, you're in luck.

Spotted at CTIA by our US counterparts, the Camera Phone Kit IPK-100 is a tripod made exclusively for Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot mobiles. There are currently two Cyber-shot branded phones in the market, the K800i and K790i, with the K550i and K810i in the pipeline. Held in place using the phone connector, the flexible legs and friction feet keep the mobile steady. Considering the rather weak image quality of photos taken by camera phones at night, this accessory will be a boon for shutterbugs who enjoy phototaking under low-light conditions. It weighs in at a mere 49g and comes with a protective case and belt clip for easy carry.

IPK-100 will be launched in most Asia-Pacific countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, etc) around mi d May. The pricing details are currently unavailable.

Helio Ocean debuts at CTIA

One of the mobile phones that caught our attention at this year's CTIA Wireless Show in Orlando, Florida, was the Helio Ocean. What's interesting about this dual-sliding handset is that it slides vertically to reveal a number pad and slides sideways for a QWERTY keypad, much like the Samsung Ultra Smart F520 phone unveiled at 3GSM World Congress show earlier this year.

We also can't help but notice an uncanny resemblance between the Ocean and the Sony mylo personal communication device, particularly its footprint design, 2.4-inch QVGA display and sideway slide-out QWERTY keypad. However, unlike the mylo, the Ocean is a cellular phone. And while the Ocean doesn't come with built-in Wi-Fi (as with the mylo), its onboard features are nothing less than impressive. It includes 3G (EV-DO), GPS, 200MB internal storage, microSD card slot, MPEG-4 video recording, 2-megapixel camera and stereo Bluetooth capability. It is expected to be sold in the US for US$295 (with a two-year contract) later this year. There are currently no plans for the handset to be introduced in Asia.

Click here for a larger image of the Helio Ocean.

Treo 750 to get Windows Mobile 6 update

Handheld maker Palm has announced at the CTIA Wireless Show in Orlando, Florida, that it will provide an update to Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 OS for its Treo 750 customers worldwide later this year. According to the press release, the software upgrade will also add High-speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) capability to the Treo 750, but this seems to be applicable to AT&T customers only. Palm could not comment on whether HSDPA will be added to its Treo 750 PDA-phones via the update when asked at press time.

Launched in October 2006, the Treo 750v is Palm's first and only Windows-based Palm Treo handheld in Asia. It comes with 3G/UMTS, a full QWERTY keypad, 1.3-megapixel camera and a 240 x 240-pixel touchscreen display. Microsoft launched its Windows Mobile 6 OS (formerly codenamed Crossbow) at the 3GSM World Congress earlier in February this year.

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