At CTIA Wireless 2008 Microsoft has officially confirmed what we mentioned earlier today: the unveiling of Windows Mobile 6.1. In addition, the company shared the Windows Mobile 6.1 spotlight with a look at a new version of Internet Explorer Mobile that “brings the quality of desktop web browsing to phones” by supporting H.264, Adobe Flash, and Microsoft Silverlight. According to the company, the update to Internet Explorer Mobile will be available on Windows Mobile phones by the end of 2008.

Here’s an example of a full webpage being rendered on Windows Mobile

Here’s another example. I’d like to see what it looks like on a standard candybar-size phone, though

As for Windows Mobile 6.1, it’s what we reported earlier, but we’ve included more detail below:

»read more from "Microsoft officially unveils Windows Mobile 6.1 and teases with new IE Mobile"

Is this a stylish handset from Kyocera or what - the Neo E1100 is a CDMA flip phone which was announced at CTIA, and it boasts the following specifications :-

• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Internal 262k color display
• Flush keypad
• Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
• Speakerphone
• Voice recognition
• MP3 playback
• 2.5mm headphone jack

There is no word on pricing, but why must Kyocera stick to the unpopular 2.5mm headphone jack?

»read more from "Kyocera Neo E1100"

Owners of the Centro from Sprint, it is time you do a little jig. The latest firmware update has now turned on the GPS functionality on the Sprint Centro, which actually allows the gpsOne chipset inside all Sprint handsets (including the Centro) to finally awaken from its forced slimber. The Centro’s chipset does not support GPS and Rev A. though, as it only supports EVDO 1.0 and eGPS. Well, word has it that Sprint has just released a RevA update with GPS. Unfortunately, after going to the end of the article and reading more about it in the forums, this is but an April Fool’s joke. Bummer.

»read more from "Sprint Centro Gets GPS"

This rumor might sound pretty ordinary, but when you shed further light on the situation where it involves Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console, things get a whole lot more interesting. That’s the current word circulating around in the industry, although Lite-On has declined to comment with client confidentiality as their alibi. According to the grapebine, these BD-ROMs will ship to Microsoft from the beginning of 2H 2008, since they are already the current supplier (one of many) of DVD-ROM drives for the Xbox 360. Do you think Microsoft will actually use Blu-ray? I would personally like to see them lobby for this format as an option, so that MGS4 will be able to be ported over to the Xbox 360 in order to leave Sony’s PS3 languishing behind in terms of hardware sales (in the US at least).

»read more from "Lite-On Rumored To Develop Blu-ray Drives"

Alltel and US Cellular users will be getting a treat come this Summer. The Motorola Q9C in a bright and shiny lime green color will be hitting store shelves. It comes with the basics like a 1.3-megapixel camera, 2.4-inch display and 128MB of on board memory. The lime green Motorola Q9C will be going for about $100 with Alltel and a contract while US Cellular pricing is still unknown at this moment.
[ Source ]

»read more from "Lime Green Motorola Q9C at Alltel and US Cellular"

Sega Toys Japan has launched the i-spin an active dance music speaker robot. The egg shaped dancing robot with speaker dances according to the music played. The Sega i-spin can be connected to audio players with the connecting cable. The robot dances accordingly to the built in integrated melody also.It responds to external music, voice also.The Sega Toys i-spin speaker robot measures 95 × 80 × 160mm and is powered by 3xAAA alkaline batteries.It is available in blue and pink color for approximately 5,250 yen ($52).
[ Source ]

»read more from "Sega Toys i-spin speaker robot"

Posted Apr 1st 2008 1:21AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming
Aside from planning to axe 400 jobs as part of Sega Sammy’s most recent “turnaround efforts,” the outfit will also be closing the doors to its Korean subsidiary. Currently, Sega Korea is “handling the domestic distribution and sales of video game software, as well as the operation / sales of amusement facilities and machines,” and reportedly, the closure will be executed in the name of “global business optimization.” As it stands, there’s no set date for the branch’s dissolution, but just in case your smile wasn’t turned upside-down already, the company also stated that it would discontinue the development of a ginormous $330m arcade complex slated for construction in Yokohama, Japan — if you couldn’t guess, that one’s being shuttered so the firm can “focus its efforts on its core business to improve its performance” in short order. Seriously though, what the hell kind of company would spend $330m on arcade, anyway?

[Via Joystiq, image courtesy of USMC]

»read more from "Sega dissolves Korean subsidiary, nixing $330m Yokohama arcade complex"

InfoWorld is reporting that Yahoo has agreeed to Microsoft’s offer after haggling that went deep into the night.  The final price looks to be $2.6 Billion more than Microsofts original offer.  Steve Ballmer expects the next six months will be spent deciding how to redecorate Yahoo offices and how to best integrate the two companies.

Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang, who had publicly opposed the acquisition, said, “Being part of Microsoft will let the Yahoo vision reach further than we could have done on our own. And we will provide Microsoft the engine it needs to deliver on its Web-based services vision.”

I am just thrilled this is over.  It seemed inevitable to come to this conclusion.  Those looking for an April fools joke, won’t find it here.  Sorry.

Read [InfoWorld]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

»read more from "Breaking: It’s done: Yahoo agrees to sell to Microsoft"

If you live in Japan and you don’t have Vista yet, why not pick up this Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Live OneCare bundle that is packaged in a hot pink box decorated with cherry blossoms, which are called sakura in Japan. The Live OneCare subscription is good for one year, and the box also includes a Vista tips and tricks book. It makes sense that this is for Vista Home Premium as I can’t imagine Vista Business being in a pink box! This is sure to be a collector’s item, as this special edition is limited to only 2500 copies. So whoever buys this better not throw that box away. Yes, the pink color and the petals are girly, but that goes along with the Japanese cuteness concept.

Via [i started something]

Keep up with the latest gadget goodness! - Subscribe to our feed →

»read more from "Japanese-only ‘pink-edition’ of Windows Vista Home Premium"

>

We were at the Mozilla’s 10 years anniversary party a few hours ago. The party was fun and full of nice people. Check out the photos (shot with my BlackJack) in the full article.

>

»read more from "Happy Birthday Mozilla!"