Give it a try! Also, people with PlayforSure devices let me know if it also works for you.
I read a rumor over at gizmodo.com that Microsoft may be releasing a VOIP/WiMAX/4G Zune player phone thingy. If I were a betting man (well, actually I am) I would say it will NOT be running Windows Mobile just as the current Zune does not. That leaves the question, why not? To me it seems much more expensive to create and manage so many different operating systems so why not just standardize on one? Apple is telling us that the iPhone is running a version of OS X. Ok, so I know XP/Vista will never fit on a phone (especially with the little amount of RAM included on the phones) but why not have all portable devices run Windows Mobile?
Next week we should learn a lot more about Microsoft's update to Windows Mobile named Windows Mobile 6 (codenamed Crossbow). From the info I have read it looks like Windows Mobile 6.0 is a "refresh" to Windows Mobile 5.0 sporting a new look with some needed new features and bug fixes. It's not a complete code redesign, that should be out next year with "Photon".(photo courtey of Engadget)
I was reading gizmodo.com today and came across this great video. Because I work for an Internet company I am frequently asked what Web 2.0 really is. This video does an awesome job of answering that very question.
How does this relate to Windows Mobile? As more and more cell phones become connected to 3G the phone is going to play, and in some cases already has played, a big role in Web 2.0. Look at Blogger on the Go. You can take pictures with your camera phone and send them directly to your Blog. Another example is radar. radar allows you to share picture conversations with your closest friends. I think over the next year we will see more and more applications where Windows Mobile will be used as a tool with Web 2.0 and more Web 2.0 applications will be written for Windows Mobile.
MLS's UI is more polished that Google Maps. MLS search nearby feature turned up more pizza places near my house that Google Maps did. Also once a business is located, using the search nearby feature, for me it's easier to call the business with MLS than Google Maps. It is worth noting that it take the same about of key strokes (2) for each, MLS key strokes seem easier. With MLS you set the city you would like to search within unlike Google Maps where I almost always need to type my city while searching for a location. MLS allows you to save map data to your storage card which is an important feature for me. They really don't include a lot of storage on Windows Mobile phones and every MB counts. I was unable to find this feature with Google Maps. While getting directions, MLB will show you complete list step by step directions without the need for the map which is handy. Google Maps requires the map and does not have a turn by turn listing.
Google Maps loads in 1/4 the time of MLS and map navigation/loads are also much faster. This is a huge plus for me (sometimes navigating on the map in MLS is painfully slow). Google Maps has a cool feature which allow you to find a location by using a address or phone number of a contact stored on your phone (from the map click Menu, Options, Lookup Contact). Map turn by turn directions are easier to use on Google Maps than MLS. Once you plot a course in Google Maps you just enter 3 for the next turn and 1 to go back to the previous. With MLS you need to select Menu and then Next Turn which is a bit more cumbersome.
It looks like Verizon has officially launched the PN-820 Windows Mobile Smartphone and boy is it an ugly duckling. I know they are probably targeting it for the average consumer but does the average consumer even know what Windows Mobile is? Looking at Verizon's site they are listing it as a "Music Player" so that may help sales. The price, $249.99 with a 2 year contract (they are also currently offering a $100.00 online discount) seems a little steep for a basic consumer phone. It does sport EVDO and A2DP. It works great. Hope this workaround helps others in my same situation! BTW, if you know of a better way please drop me a comment.
