Thursday, February 28, 2008

Software for Switching Windows Mobile Professional Japanese Interface to English

I was surprised to hear that you can now get software to switch the interface language of a Windows Mobile Professional device from Japanese to English. I saw a demonstration of the software and it worked well.

This is great news for anyone living in Japan who can't read Japanese but who wanted a Windows Mobile Professional smart phone.

The software is available from the CF Company web site, which ironically is only in Japanese. It costs 2,100 yen for a download version and 2,415 yen on CD. The software is designed for Windows Mobile 5, so Windows Mobile 6 users may be out of luck for now.

The software is made by Mobem but they don't seem to have any information about this particular product on their web site. Perhaps if there is enough demand they will release this so send CF Company and/or Mobem an message if you would like to see an English language purchase page.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Announcing E-MOBILE Voice Plans & HTC EMONSTER (Live from the Press Conference)

E-MOBILE has announced voice and data plans aimed at shaking up the mobile phone industry in Japan.

Focusing on easy to understand pricing, plans starting at 0 yen, and convenient plans for those who want both phone and data connections.

The Windows Mobile HTC TyTn II - to be called the EMON (or S11HT) and the H11T from Toshiba will be their first two phones. Full report to follow later.

www.emobile.jp

Lot's of photos on Windows Keitai Fan (Japanese)

Another blog entry about the announcement here.

Press Release: “HTC TyTN II”, one of the world’s most innovativesmart phones coming to Japan

“HTC TyTN II”, one of the world’s most innovative
smart phones coming to Japan
 
HTC TyTN II becomes EMOBILE’s first handset
supporting broadband voice, the ‘S11HT (EMONSTER)’!
 
Tokyo – February 25, 2008 -- HTC Corp. (“HTC”, TAIEX: 2498), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft® Windows Mobile®-based smart devices, today announced the introduction of the HTC TyTN II (Titan Two) to the Japanese market. The HTC TyTN II has won acclaim in many countries throughout the world as the “innovation standard for smart phones” with its fully-functional and unique design and powerful high-speed connectivity that enable users to get the most out of their smart phone.
 
The HTC TyTN II is to go on sale in Japan on Friday, March 28, 2008 via wireless carrier EMOBILE Ltd., under the product name “S11HT (EMONSTER)”. The HTC TyTN II is EMOBILE’s first handset supporting broadband voice services.
 
The HTC TyTN II is the eighth model in the HTC lineup to appear in Japan (including models scheduled for future release), and is the result of HTC’s more than 10 years of experience developing Windows Mobile® devices. The 2.8-inch large LCD touch screen slides out to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for easy input, with a tilt-up screen design that allows viewing from any angle. The device can be used to check email while out and about, or to relax and enjoy Web browsing. Moreover, when used as a telephone, the QWERTY keyboard can be closed and the number dialed from the touch screen. The HTC TyTN II is a truly unique and stylish handset allowing users to freely adjust the handset to the style most suited for their desired use.
 
This manifestation of the HTC TyTN II handset, the S11HT EMONSTER, customized specifically for the Japan market provides a wealth of connectivity options including high speed 3.6Mbps HSDPA, 3G (W-CDMA), wireless LAN and Bluetooth®, allowing users to leverage the easiest and most stress free connection for their current location or use.  Its built-in GPS functionality, when combined with such 3rd party software as Google Maps Mobile or NAVITIME, allows the device to also serve as a personal navigation device. Of course, these powerful specifications are supported with Windows Mobile® 6 Professional, Microsoft’s latest OS which allows users to access all the possibilities brought by the Windows Mobile® platform, from business to entertainment activities.
 
Since its release last autumn in Europe, North America, and many Asian countries, the HTC TyTN II, with its unique combination of powerful functionality and connectivity in addition to its unique style and design, has already won support from many smart phone users. HTC’s partnership with EMOBILE to bring this best-selling smart phone to Japan is regarded as a very important step for HTC Japan, which expects the introduction of this device to accelerate the growth of the domestic smart phone market.
 
“E-Mobile’s new approach to the world of mobile broadband is unique in the Japanese market and HTC is honored to be a strategic partner in this effort,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO of HTC Corp. “The introduction of the HTC TyTN II is a significant step forward for the Japanese smartphone market.”
 
The S11HT will be sold in Japan by EMOBILE offering full compatibility with EM Mobile Broadband, an HSDPA communication service offered by EMOBILE, and is the first EMOBILE device to offer voice services. In addition to both making and receiving telephone calls, the device can also be used for mobile email, short mail, and full browsing of PC sites.
 
n         Specifications
S11HT
OS
Microsoft®  Windows Mobile®  6 Professional Edition Japanese Edition
Display
2.8 inch QVGA TFT touch screen
Input
QWERTY keyboard / Touch Screen / Jog wheel
Connectivity
HSDPA / W-CDMA (1700MHz), up to a maximum of 3.6Mbps download/ 384Kbps upload
Wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b/g), Bluetooth®2.0+EDR
Camera
Primary Camera: 3 Megapixel Color CMOS w/ auto-focus
Sub-camera:  VGA-CMOS
Digital Zoom:  Up to 8x
Resolution:
(photo) 2048 x 1536、UXGA、SXGA、VGA、QVGA、QQVGA
(Video) CIF、QVGA、QCIF、Sub-QCIF
Expansion Card Slot
microSDTM  (SD2.0) x 1
Connection ports
Mini USB (USB2.0 Full Speed, recharging / earphone)
Standby Mode
Call time
Up to 350 hours (*1)
Up to 264 minutes(*1)
Size (Width x Height x Thickness)
112mm x 59mm x 19mm
Weight
About 190g ( including Battery, Stylus)
Main Accessories
AC Adapter, battery pack, USB cable, pre-use CD-ROM and product manual, Stereo Microphone Headset, Carrying case, Stylus
 
Note:
*1   Based off of longest battery life in test conditions
*    Microsoft、Windows、Windows Mobile、ActiveSync、Excel、Outlook、PowerPoint、Windows Media
and Internet Explorer are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
*    Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
*    microSD is the registered trademark of the SD Association.
 
 
###
 
About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corp. (HTC) designs, manufactures and markets innovative, feature rich smartphone and PDA phone devices.
Since its establishment, HTC has developed strong R&D capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art PDA phones and smartphones for mobile operators and distributors in Europe, the US, and Asia. These machines are available as HTC devices and as products individually customized for operator and device partners.
HTC is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile device market. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit http://www.htc.com.
 

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Sony Ericsson Windows Mobile


I was surprised to find a Sony Ericsson Windows Mobile!

via mycom

Data Card by SII


This is interesting although I did not read yet if it supports Windows Mobile devices. More details to be updated later.


Update: It seems like it supports Dell's Pocket PC 2003 so it probably supports WM 5.0 and 6.0, though not tested yet because I do not have a Pocket PC 2003 device with CF card.
http://www.sii.co.jp/mc/

Friday, February 15, 2008

Sigmarion III to Russia


I sent the Sigmarion III to a customer from Russia today. This is a first time a person from Russia got the actual device instead of peripherals.

Seems like Windows Mobile market is heating up :D

Thursday, February 14, 2008

HTC LAND Special Smart Phone English Night! - This Friday (15th)

2008-02-15 (Fri) HTC LAND Special English Night!

A special evening for English speakers living in and visiting Japan. Learn about smart phones and about the different pricing plans available.

A great chance to visit HTC LAND in Shibuya to see some of the latest smart phones available, lots of accessories and to meet with experts.

Date: Friday, 15 February 2008, 19:00 - 22:00
Venue: HTC LAND (Softbank Shibuya B1) -- MAP
      The Aldgate -- MAP
Admission: Free with Registration
(Complimentary drink ticket for the 1st 30 pre-registered guests! Register here.)
Language: English

18:50 - Doors Open (HTC LAND)
19:00 - English Session (HTC LAND)
      Speaker: Andrew Shuttleworth (Windows Mobile MVP)
      Agenda:
        *All about Japanese Smart Phones
        *How to choose the best smart phone contract/pricing plan?
19:50 - Q&A (HTC LAND)
20:00 - Networking (The Aldgate)
22:00 - Last Call and Close(THE Aldgate)
(First drink free. Pay as you go from 2nd drink on. Food not included.)

RSVP here

Thursday, February 07, 2008

HTC Land at Softbank Shibuya until 1 March '08


HTC currently have a mini expo of their devices and lots of accessories at the Softbank shop just a couple of minutes from Shibuya station. It's a good chance to try out some of the devices they currently have on the market. You can find plenty more photos - enough to help you find your way there - at the HTC Fan site.