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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.
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]
Cingular brings Push Mail to 8125: MSFP up for download
Bang! Just as expected, Cingular pulled the trigger on that MSFP, finally bringing Microsoft's Direct Push eMail to your 8125. If you're packing a 2125 you'll have to hold tight; your update is "coming soon." No surprise, but Cingular fails to mention the inclusion of A2DP stereo audio support so we'll just have to wait for you brave souls to report back on your experience m'kay? Now best get to downloading 'cause your boss budgeted the extra $49.99 per month (same as BlackBerry Access) required for unlimited Internet and Direct Push mail, right?[Thanks, Ed Haber]
DataViz brings Direct Push to Windows Mobile 2003 SE
Are you HP hw6500 owners out there feeling like the brave new world of MSFP is passing you by? Do you keep looking down at your device, hoping for pushed email that just never comes? DataViz has you covered, updating its RoadSync Exchange client to support Direct Push, GAL lookup, and all the other goodies that MSFP users have been enjoying for a few months now. Initially, it sounds like DataViz will only be supporting for the Samsung i700 series (a little bit late for that, guys) and the HP hw6500, but we see no reason it shouldn't work on other WM2003 SE Pocket PCs as well -- so if you're holding out for that Hermes, this might make your wait a little more bearable.[Via Geekzone]
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.
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.
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.
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.
