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Rejoice, for Motorola Q's AKU2 update is at hand
After a bit of a false-start with AKU2 a couple weeks ago, Motorola is busting it out for reals this time, and we're thinking most Q owners should be plenty pleased. Naturally, MSFP, with its Exchange-based push email, global address book lookup and added security features should be a big hit with the suits, but we've got our eyes set on the new Dial-Up Networking (DUN) capabilities that'll allow us to get our tether on via USB or Bluetooth. There are other little enhancements, but we're sure you'd rather find 'em out for yourself by peeping the read link and downloading the update. [Via Mobility Site]
AKU2 for Motorola Q is / is not available
Manufacturer posts OS update, manufacturer discovers update wasn't quite ready for prime time, manufacturer pulls update from web. Sound familiar? Moto teased us with the long-awaited AKU2 update for their Q, but pulled it from their website a scant two days later after "realizing" that it was still in beta. Needless to say, the prerelease cut's still floating around the web and shouldn't be terribly hard for hardcore Q users to get their hands on, but the faint of heart might just be better off for the real deal to drop since it wipes your device clean -- not to mention that Moto's hinting the beta does nasty things to your warranty.
ORSiO Pocket PC phone in the pipeline
If you're wondering just who or what ORSiO might be, you're not alone -- but let's not get caught up in the details. Some rather fuzzy shots of spec sheets have been leaked, and it looks like we can expect fairly typical non-3G Pocket PC Phone Edition fare: quad-band GSM plus EDGE, 2.7-inch QVGA display, 2-megapixel shooter, 192MB of internal flash plus miniSD expansion, and a beefy 524MHz XScale to keep it all humming along atop Windows Mobile 5. MSMobileNews is reporting AKU3 will be in the box, but we beg to differ -- the feature list pretty clearly indicates AKU2. (Way to get us all excited, guys.) And a little tip to our anonymous sources: 5 megapixels would do wonders for those covertly-acquired shots.
Palm announces WM5-powered Treo for Vodafone
So Palm has officially announced one of those three Treos we were promised at the end of last year, and just as we expected, this Windows Mobile 5 AKU2-powered model will be sold exclusively overseas. Unfortunately the company neglected to include a detailed spec sheet in its press release -- more information will be available closer to the as-yet-unspecified launch date -- so all we really know at this point is that it's destined for Vodafone's 3G UMTS network in several European countries. Also unclear is how this model relates to other upcoming Treos we've seen under such codenames as Hollywood, Lowrider, Nitro, and Lennon -- we sure wish Palm would be a little more forthcoming with its product roadmaps. As usual, though, you can always count on us to bring you every little bit of Treo news we get our hands on, even if Palm and friends don't give us much help putting it in context.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
O2 Atom Exec gets the full rundown
CNET has gone ahead and upgraded its preview of the O2 Atom Exec to a full review, and it appears they've come away with a very positive impression of the refreshed non-HTC -- yes, non-HTC -- Pocket PC. To refresh your melon, the Atom Exec is O2's Asia-only update of the Atom, adding an extra 64MB of ROM (for a total of 192MB), boosting the device's PXA272 core from 416 to 520MHz, and toning down the glossy finish to a more matte one. CNET concludes that the Exec is a great device thanks largely to its roomy ROM and snappy performance, but that it probably isn't worthy of an upgrade for owners of the original Atom. European Atom owners: feelin' any jealousy here?[Thanks, Ash]
UTStarcom releases XV6700 MSFP update
As the Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU2 / MSFP updates get slowly pushed through the woodworks, we must not forget those users especially inclined toward mobile email -- those with Apaches and Wizards, say we. And now that Cingular and Sprint have updates for their respective HTC devices, isn't it about time Verizon did the same? Well, they didn't, but the good news is UTStarcom went over their heads (something you don't often hear about with the V) and released the Message Security and Feature Pack for the XV6700 on their own site. Somehow we doubt this will unlock the phone's crippled WiFi, but stranger still about this scenario is that, UTStarcom's webmaster is apparently very into comics: their metadata holds superman as the site description, batman as the keyword, and batman begins as the subject. Well aight then, we get it, UT Starcom marches to the beat of a different drummer indeed.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
MSFP on the way for Cingular's WM5 devices
We know that many (if not most) of you have jumped the gun and installed modded Wizard / Faraday ROMs chock full o' goodies like MSFP and A2DP, but for the handful of you patiently waiting for Cingular to pull the trigger, mark June 19 on your calendars. That's the day Cingular's official ROM updates will drop, spreading Direct Push goodness across the lands. If you were counting on whipping out that Globalsat Bluetooth headset, you might get forced into the land of hacked firmware nonetheless -- A2DP is unlikely to make the official cut, if other vendors' releases are any indication.
HP iPaq hw6915 PocketPC phone reviewed
We've been on the fence about HP's hw6000 line of Swiss Army phones ever since we first spotted the GPS-equipped iPaq hw6515 -- these models include everything but the kitchen sink, but they also force you to use that non-standard 240 x 240 screen. Still, MobileTechReview's in-depth look at the latest member of the family, the hw6915, makes us think we could overlook the square screen and lack of 3G data options because, well, the rest of this Windows Mobile 5.0-powered smartphone sounds like exactly what us convergence-geeks are seeking. According to MTR, the quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset impresses on many fronts, including its solid keyboard, powerful internal antenna, GPS performance, and best-in-class benchmark numbers. HP also throws in some nice extras, like helpful Today screen plug-ins, a full-featured wireless radio manager, the ability to location-stamp photos, and even A2DP in the Bluetooth stack, which isn't normally included in WM5 AKU2 devices out of the box. Besides the fact that this screen resolution may not support all third-party apps, the only real knock to this model concerns the camera's startup/shutter lags -- and if that's the worst thing to be said about a device that seemingly does it all, then we're totally sold.
O2 releases AKU2 update for Xda Atom
The folks over at O2 have been busy little beavers today, first releasing the HTC Tornado-based Xda IQ, and now posting the Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU update for Xda Atom owners to download. We're sure that we don't need to repeat the advantages of AKU2 again, but since our contracts stipulate that we rehash the deets ad infinitum, we'll remind you that this upgrade adds BlackBerry-like push email through the Messaging & Security Feature Pack (MSFP) along with an improved wireless connection manager, quicker screen orientation switches, and other minor enhancements. Atom owners also get a few device-specific bug fixes with the new firmware, most notably the elimination of the "heartbeat noise" that had apparently plagued some versions of the FM tuner app. For now you'll need your handset's serial number registered with O2 in order to access the download, but it'll probably be just a matter of time before it becomes available on one of the popular cellphone forums.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
HTC Tornado available from O2 as the Xda IQ
As of today, Brits have access to one of the hottest Windows Mobile 5.0 smartphones on the market, thanks to o2's much-anticipated release of the Xda IQ. Better known as the HTC Tornado (or the Cingular 2125 / T-Mobile SDA / Qtek 8310 / Orange SPV C600), this quad-band GSM worldphone sports both Bluetooth and WiFi, a 200MHz processor, 2.2-inch QVGA screen, 1.3 megapixel cam, miniSD slot, and EDGE data capabilities. The best part is that AKU2, with its sweet, sweet MSFP, will be available for download at launch, so customers can get their push email-on right away -- and even their A2DP, thanks to the godsend of a .cab assembled by the good folks over at the xda-developers forum. Even though this handset is already available, our best efforts have been for naught when it comes to finding a price -- a little help, UK readers?
SecureGSM SP crypto software for WM5 smartphones
Windows Mobile Smartphone users now have a new way to conduct their shady business in secret, thanks to a newly-released version of Australian developer SecureGSM's "military-grade" crypto software. Designed to incorporate seamlessly with the WinMo UI, SecureGSM SP delivers on-the-fly data encryption for communicating with other SecureGSM-enabled devices, and promises voice quality that's "comparable to standard mobile communication." Processor requirements for the ~$190 app are pretty light, with any device running faster than 175MHz making the cut, but system requirements are a bit stricter, as you'll need the MSFP-sporting WM5 AKU2 installed if you want to enjoy conversations free of eavesdropping.
AKU2 for Treo 700w available for download again
Just as suddenly as it disappeared from the Palm website, the AKU2 update for Windows Mobile 5.0-powered Verizon Treo 700ws has reappeared for download, giving Palm customers access to the push email that they've been so eagerly awaiting. According to Brighthand, Palm pulled the original version of the firmware because of a "glitch" that made some users unable to update. Besides the Messaging and Security Feature Pack that enables synchronization with Exchange servers, the Treo 700w Updater 1.10 also includes some minor tweaks to the device's image and video application, and a new interface for the wireless connection manager.
A2DP finally available on WinMo 5.0 AKU2
Hallelujah! After what has seemed like an endless wait, coupled with a crushing letdown by Microsoft, Windows Mobile 5.0 users who've upgraded to the AKU2 firmware can finally listen to stereo audio in glorious, wireless freedom. Users of numerous WM5 devices over at the xda-developers are reporting success with a series of files and registry hacks, posted by sas90850 and assembled into a handy CAB by Khuanchai, which enable the A2DP Bluetooth profile that was so conspicuously absent on the current round of AKU2 updates. Khuanchai's file can be found by following the "Read" link, and before you freak out, you need to register as a forum member before you're able to even see the download. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to hit the local electronics store and pick up a pair of BT 'phones, pronto.[Via Smartphone Thoughts and the::unwired]
Palm Treo 700w Updater for AKU2 / MSFP on the web
We hit you guys up a couple weeks ago with the news that Palm was going to be releasing the AKU2 update for Windows Mobile 5.0 for the Treo 700w in short time. Well, hope you got all your biz backed up, because it's time to get it on! The 35MB Palm Treo 700w Updater 1.10 is up over on their site, but caveat emptor: Palm advises you absolutely do not restore from Sprite Backup backups if you've backed up your registry. We can imagine why, so we suggest you heed their advice if you're the WinMo registry hacking type.[Thanks, Andrew]Update: Looks like Palm pulled the update already! We don't know why, but it'll supposedly "be available at a later date." Anyone want to leave some links to hosts? We'll be happy to put 'em up on here. Thanks, Alexander. Astute reader Curt points out that you can still go through the download rigmarole by following the Google-cached download link. Reader beware, though, we can only imagine what bugs in the update(r) caused Palm to pull it.
Qtek 9000 gets AKU2
Qtek has become the latest company to bless another group of customers with the glories of AKU2, adding not just push email, but the extra bonus of A2DP to their version of the HTC Universal (owners of the i-mate version have had the goods for a month already). Owners of the Qtek 9000 can hop over to Qtek's web site and download the update right now. Now. So, do it already!
Palm's Treo 700w gets its AKU2 on
Yup, here's the moment you've been waiting for since you snagged that Palm Treo 700w -- Palm's announced their Windows Mobile Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) upgrade (aka AKU2), allowing, among other things, support for push email (and hopefully a rolled out fix for that DST bug). You all know the drill, so prepare to backup all that data -- and we mean all of it, AKU2 will wipe that phone clean as a slate -- and head over to Verizon's or Palm's support site later this month so you can get your AKU2 on, too.
