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Welcome
HTC Touch HD in stock NOW from FREE on Orange and O2!
The hottest device of the moment with it's 5MP camera with touch focus and 3.8" screen, the touch HD is in stock NOW from FREE on Orange and O2 @ Mobiles.co.uk! Stock is expected to sell out fast... [aff] |  |
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Paul reviews... iWindowsMobile Communication Suite!
Check out my review of the iWindowsMobile Communication Suite from VITO Technology - a bundle / suite of their products including Winterface, FunContact, SMS-Chat, ZoomBoard and Weather for only $39.95 (with a 15% discount at the moment)! |  |
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 8th January 2009 - 14:36 |
MoDaCo partners devicewire.com are offering the lovely HTC Touch Dual - one of my favourite HTC devices of all time thanks to it's keypad and still Mrs MoDaCo's phone of choice - for only £99.99 brand new!
Stock is in short supply, so if you want one you'll need to jump in quick over at the Touch Dual page!
For a limited period, devicewirecom are also offering For a limited period we are offering FREE delivery on all Official HTC Car Kits (see the generic kit, Diamond kit, Touch Pro kit or the TYTN II kit for more deets).
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PS Tip: buy the generic kit with the Dual to get free delivery on the lot.. |
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 7th January 2009 - 08:45 |
Despite being a registered 'Missing Sync' user, it is Eltima's excellent SyncMate Expert that has won my heart of late for Windows Mobile to Mac sync. I decided yesterday to upgrade from the basic (free) offering to expert, and came across a code for 30% off. Handy!
To receive your discount, simply enter the code 'SYNC-MATE-30' at the checkout.
You can learn more about SyncMate and the different editions at the Eltimate website.
Enjoy! 
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 6th January 2009 - 16:45 |
In this new world of always on mobile internet, there's one thing that bugs me a bit, and that's the way that operators 'tweak' your traffic.
As a T-Mobile web'n'walk user, this affects me primarily in two ways. Firstly there's the image compression that i'm sure many of us have experienced, which a number of operators carry out even on fast HSDPA connections. Crisp, sharp internet images become artefacted blurry messes due to the transparent proxy compression employed by the networks. Secondly is the port blocking. I'm on T-Mobile web and walk standard, and I can't use FTP, even though T-Mobile tell me I should be able to. Argh!
So what's the solution?
Well, a while ago I came across a service called WiTopia [aff]. WiTopia is a $39.99 per year (with 30 day money back guarantee) VPN service that offers connectivity for both your PC (Windows or Mac) and at the moment, connectivity for your mobile device.
Here's how I use it...
I've signed up for the service and I have their 'TunnelBlick' client installed on my Mac. If I want to be ultra secure, want my traffic to be originating in the US or basically want to cloak myself from the network that i'm on, then I connect to WiTopia. It means I can go to client sites and be totally segregated from their systems, it means I can be on holiday on a public wifi connection and be secure, it means I can test geotargeting code by masquerading in the US, and if I wanted to, I could even use this masquerading to access US only services (like hulu for example).
As well as having my Mac set up, I have configured my free PPTP VPN on my Touch HD. Now, as I mentioned above I have had this service a while, and I was never able to get it working. I was however told that PPTP VPN connectivity had a bit of an overhaul in Windows Mobile 6.1.4 (which i'm running on my HD) and sure enough, it works GREAT! I get the same benefits as above, on my mobile device. And that means total segregation from the T-Mobile network, which means no port blocking and no image compression!
NOTE NOTE NOTE: This may not work for you if you're not on 6.1.4! Any other WiTopia users care to confirm?
Is it worth $39.99 a year?
In my opinion, for my purposes, yes. I like the functionality it gives me for my laptop, and now that I have it working on my HD that's an added bonus!
Where do I go to find out more / signup?
Click this link [aff] to get started, and order either the Windows or Mac package, both of which come with a free PPTP connection.
How do I configure my mobile then?
I'll be posting that here shortly!
Hope this is useful for somebody out there!
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 6th January 2009 - 11:41 |
I've lost count of the number of times i've seen messages asking for advanced SSH clients for Windows Mobile. Obviously this is due to the high geek : 'normal person' ratio ( ) of Windows Mobile users, but the truth is that the options are limited for our devices.
In the past i've used MToken from Choung Networks for my needs, and i'm delighted to announce that they have a new version - renamed Token2Shell - on the way, which you can test exclusively as a MoDaCo member FREE in Release Candidate form!
Prior to releasing the final version of the software, work is underway on supporting items such as the user's manual, online order schedule, software activation server etc. and since these things will take a couple of months, we're working with Choung Networks to let you test out the software today! The RC version of Token2Shell/Mobile is fully functional, however it does not include any user help file or documentation and will expire on February 28, 2009.
The download links (you must be logged in to MoDaCo to download!):
1) Token2Shell/Mobile for Windows Mobile 5/6 (Standard/Classic/Professional)
- Installer: 
Token2Shell.mobile.v5rc1.20081221.setup.exe ( 2.84MB )
Number of downloads: 57
- CAB file:
Token2Shell.mobile.v5rc1.20081221.cab.zip ( 2.75MB )
Number of downloads: 124
2) Token2Shell for Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Installer:
Token2Shell.desktop.v5rc1.20081221.setup.exe ( 1.67MB )
Number of downloads: 51
You can read more in this post on the Developer's site... let us know how you get on with the application and thanks to Choung Networks for giving MoDaCo members this opportunity!
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 23rd December 2008 - 14:35 |
This just in from Plus Partners 'Ateksoft'...
QUOTE Would you like to get Ateksoft WebCamera Plus 2.0 for only $9.90? It’s easy! Simply fill out a simple questionnaire on our site and receive a discount coupon! The coupon will be valid in December and January only. Hurry, this is a limited offer! By the way, a new version of WebCamera Plus will be out in Q1 2009. Finally, if you have encountered any technical problems/bugs (or your device is unsupported), please leave comments in our Wiki or forum – we will make sure these issues are addressed in the next version of the program. Stay tuned for more news!
I have used WCP a couple of times, and also used to use CoolCamera... but i'd love to see them updated to support more devices (CoolCamera especially!).
I think there is a massive market for both the webcam app and a good 3rd party independent camera application.
Thoughts?
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 22nd December 2008 - 11:06 |
You can't beat the warm fuzzy feeling when an app appears that performs a function you have been waiting for a long time. This has just happened to me as I have discovered 'Task2Gather' from MoDaCo sponsors VITO Technology.
If you are a podcast listener, you may remember me talking in an episode gone by about how it would be cool to have an application that allowed you to maintain a list on your device (e.g. a shopping list) and have it sync across multiple devices between multiple people. AFAIK there has been nothing to do this to date, and Task2Gather achieves this and more!
Available on the web, on your Windows Mobile devices or on the iPhone, Task2Gather (currently at version 1.3) offers:
QUOTE Task2Gather for Windows Mobile is a task manager that helps you to be organized and successful in everything you do. Task2Gather allows you to create, edit and share tasks on the go.
All your personal, family, and business tasks are saved in the web cloud and can be accessed not only from your Windows Mobile device but also from your desktop PC or Mac.Task2Gather performs greatly not only as a personal to-do or shopping list but also as a collaborative tool for reaching common team goals.
Even if your family members, friends, or colleagues don't have Windows Mobile device, they can work with you from a desktop PC, Mac or even iPhone. The idea of updating your shopping list while you are in the shop will be to your wife’s liking.
Task2Gather features:
* Divide tasks into subtasks
* Share tasks
* Discuss tasks
* Deadline set up
* Color set up
* Progress (estimated/spent hours)
I bought it last night and installed it on mine and my wife's devices, set up some test lists and it works! It looks cool on both the HD and her Touch Dual and I can see this being an application i'll use a LOT! What's crazy is that it seems to be priced at $0.99 at the moment, so buying 2 copies cost me under £1.50! Nice!
I'll post more as I use the application more, but I thought i'd get a post up as i'm not sure how long the $0.99 pricing is for (i'm checking!)
Does anyone else use this app?
More deets and buy from the Task2Gather page!
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Views: 1,810
Comments: 29
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| Posted by Monolithix @ 20th December 2008 - 23:41 |
Paul and I are proud to present the WinMo Week Twenty One!
In this weeks ~60 minute episode we're talking about:- Our Expansys sponsored device: The Palm Treo 500
- The Blackberry application suite on WinMo leak
- Asus Glaxy/Galaxy 7
- My experience with the Touch HD on O2, and how Paul and I are getting on with the year's hottest device!
- Internet Explorer 6 on Windows Mobile 6 - 6on6!
...as well as our usual amount of tangents!
As with all our shows, this episode is available in standard MP3 format or as an enhanced M4A format with chapters, images and links for use on an iPod or in iTunes. You can get the podcast in the following ways:Your feedback is really valuable and will tell us whether it is worth our while to continue running the podcasts! Do you listen? What do you like? What do you not like? Please leave your feedback in the comments below, or on the phone in number answerphone (which you can also use for questions for the podcast), or rate us on iTunes!
The Phone in number is:
+44 1379 888 101
You can also leave a voicemail via Skype by calling:
skype user "modaco"
Or post back on the official thread:
Here!
Enjoy!
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 18th December 2008 - 22:05 |
A short while ago, Microsoft released the emulator images of Windows Mobile 6.1.4 featuring Internet Explorer 6 Mobile. Microsoft made it clear that the browser wouldn't hit a broad range of devices immediately, citing hardware requirements (not to mention the fact that the majority of phones now feature the very competent Opera 9.5 browser!)
Anyhow, the release of the emulator images meant that it was only a matter of time before the browser made it into custom 'cooked' ROMs, and such a ROM featuring IE6 is now available for the Touch HD.
You can find out more in this topic, and I imagine IE6 ROMs will follow for a number of devices going forward.
If you DO have a play - or indeed have a play with the emulator images - let us know your thoughts!
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Views: 4,274
Comments: 15
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| Posted by Monolithix @ 16th December 2008 - 16:19 |
Paul and I are proud to present the WinMo Week Twenty!
In this weeks ~50 minute randomtastic episode we're talking about:- Our Expansys sponsored device: The Palm Treo 500
- The HTC Touch HD Screen fix (and my new Touch HD!)
- iPlayer on Windows Mobile
- New Plus partners
- SMTP bug fix
- Our thoughts on the T*/Omnia
- Why we now like the Touch Pro!
- Paul's McDonalds BlackJack II
...as well as, frankly, a copious amount of tangents
As with all our shows, this episode is available in standard MP3 format or as an enhanced M4A format with chapters, images and links for use on an iPod or in iTunes. You can get the podcast in the following ways:Your feedback is really valuable and will tell us whether it is worth our while to continue running the podcasts! Do you listen? What do you like? What do you not like? Please leave your feedback in the comments below, or on the phone in number answerphone (which you can also use for questions for the podcast), or rate us on iTunes!
The Phone in number is:
+44 1379 888 101
You can also leave a voicemail via Skype by calling:
skype user "modaco"
Or post back on the official thread:
Here!
Enjoy!
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 15th December 2008 - 11:35 |
Welcome to my review of iWindowsMobile communication suite from MoDaCo partner VITO Technology.
About the product
iWindowsMobile Communication Suite from VITO Technology is a bundle / suite of their products, including Winterface, FunContact, SMS-Chat, ZoomBoard and Weather. Individually those applications retail for $19.95, $19.95, $14.95, $14.95 and $0 (that is $69.80), so the Communication Suite price of $39.95 is comparably good value. (Edit: There seems to be an automatic 15% discount on the site at the moment bringing the total cost down to $33.95!)
So what are the applications like? Let's run through them in order!
Winterface
The pitch...
QUOTE Winterface is the Next Generation Shell for Windows Mobile comprising the options of a launcher, a task manager, and multitude of Today plug-ins. Winterface virtually replaces default interface of touch screen Windows Mobile devices and gives the user unprecedented freedom to easily lay out interface exactly the way they like it.
- exclusive interface constructor
- task manager & launcher
- informative lockscreen
icons display actual info: weather, tasks, emails, memory, and many other
In my words...
If I were to describe Winterface simply, it's an iPhone UI for your Windows Mobile. Now, that's no bad thing, the square icon based iPhone UI is very popular and very effective.
Running on my Touch HD, Winterface gives me a 4 columns x 5 row interface (a non widescreen device will get 4 columns x 4 rows) with a large number of standard icons for core functions on the device. As on the iPhone, some icons have additional dynamic information - for example the email icon shows how many unread mails are currently on the device, the Settings icon shows current network etc. The interface skin is a black background with white icons.
There are multiple pages for icons, and icons can be added, removed and rearranged as desired. The iPhone comparison is very apt here - when rearranging the icons, they 'wobble' as on the iPhone, and the drag - move action is the same too. Again, that's no bad thing, it works well Your own icons can be added for favourite applications, favourites, files, contacts etc. - very useful!
Winterface can be launched either by the standard icon, by a homescreen plugin, by a predefined upside down 'V' gesture anywhere in the device or when you turn your device on. An added benefit at power on is that Winterface has it's own 'slide to unlock' mode to prevent accidentally activation.
So what's it like?
Effective!
It's nice that it doesn't completely replace your standard device UI (i.e. I can still use TF3D / Panels etc.) and there's a lot to be said for the simplicity of a UI where you can just click one button and get where you want to be. The buttons I use most are of course Email, SMS, BT toggle, Camera... Ah yes, on the HD having a quick button for 'Camera' is a godsend. Launching the camera through the Start Menu or TouchFlo 3D UI is too long winded, so Winterface provides a good solution.
What could be improved?
I'd like to see a way to skin Winterface. Although the standard UI is OK, on high resolution devices it's not as pretty as it is on (for example) QVGA devices (due to the scaling) - and a skinning option could improve this. I mentioned above about the slide to unlock type functionality. Although this is nice to have, you have to slide a little bit too far to unlock, the sensitivity of this could do with being changed. Not a big thing to fix for sure!
FunContact
The pitch...
QUOTE FunContact is a Windows Mobile contact manager that brings iPhone experience to your Pocket PC. Now you can scroll a contact list just with a flick of a finger. The animated windows switching and sparkling interface with bulging tap-ready buttons make contact managing a real fun! The touch & feel principle of FunContact makes it a truly indispensable Windows Mobile contact manager!
- Slide finger to scroll contact list
- Keypad & T9 contacts look up
- Instant access to favorites & call history
- Complete replacement of Windows Mobile default contacts
In my words...
Funcontact is a finger friendly way to access your contact list. As well all know the standard WinMo contacts application is hard work to navigate without a stylus and this is VITO's solution. As well as your contact list, Funcontact also has Call History functionality, a favourites list and even a replacement dialler!
So what's it like?
Actually, it's very good!
Running the application gives you your contact list, with an A-Z list on the right hand side of the screen that you can run your finger up and down to scroll your contacts. As well as that, there is kinetic style scrolling in the list itself. You can sort contacts by first name (by preference), by last name (default) or by company name. A favourites list, the replacement dialler and your call history are one click away. The application itself has either a black or grey skin.
Clicking a contact in the list brings up details on that contact with easy links for calling, SMSing, viewing that contact in the standard Windows Mobile UI or even editing the contact in a more finger friendly UI.
What could be improved?
Not a lot really! Again i'd like to see customisable skins for the application and a sharper UI on higher resolution devices, but on the whole FunContact is a very solid product.
SMS-Chat
The pitch...
QUOTE SMS-Chat is a Windows Mobile SMS messenger that organizes your SMS correspondence into threaded SMS conversations. This way you have a separate chat for every contact with whom you exchange short text messages. You can easily follow a conversation scrolling thru chats with a finger: all messages are grouped by date. Manage your mobile texting with a flick of a finger! - Templates for quick answers, smilies - Forward, resend or delete messages - Active links and phone numbers, onscreen alerts - multiple sms sending
In my words...
SMS-Chat is a good-looking SMS replacement application. It has a black skin (with a selectable grey skin) in the style of the other iWMCS applications, and has some cool features such as finger-friendliness and emoticons. It integrates with Winterface, the shell discussed above.
So what's it like?
It has some nice features.
When you compose a new SMS, you get a Fun-Contact style scrollable contact list, and features such as emoticons are things that we've all wanted to see in WinMo for a long time! I like the way you can set up your own SMS templates.
Of course, SMS-Chat is of slightly less value if you have a WinMo 6.1 device that includes threaded messaging, but the inbuilt client - even in 6.1 - definitely has room for improvement!
What could be improved?
There are a few things i'd like to see changed / fixed in SMS-Chat.
On a high res device the emoticons appear at half size. More strangely, there seems to be an issue in that messages you compose in SMS-Chat don't appear to show in the threaded view of the standard client, which is odd... i've raised this with VITO and they're looking into it.
A cool feature addition would be the ability to define SMS groups, which would certainly elevate the status of the application to a must-have!
ZoomBoard
The pitch...
QUOTE ZoomBoard is a high-tech onscreen keyboard for quick and accurate finger typing on Windows Mobile Pocket PC. ZoomBoard provides three different types of zooming. Every time you press a letter ZoomBoard either provides an instant zoom-in on the keyboard area under your finger in a popping-up lens or zooms the whole keyboard. Sliding technology allows for accurate and quick text input!
- Slide the screen for accurate typing
- 3 convenient zoom modes
- SmartZoom option for smart typing
In my words...
ZoomBoard is a replacement input method that gives you a QWERTY - with a difference! As you press the keys a little 'zoom' window appears so you can verify you're hitting the right key.
So what's it like?
Neat, but probably not for me.
The keyboard layout is sensible and as a QWERTY it works well, the 3 different zoom modes mean you are likely to find one that suits you. A dedicated button on the keyboard lets you switch to different layouts for other languages.
What could be improved?
One of the downsides of using ZoomBoard is that you lose the predictive text ability you get with the normal QWERTY. It would be great to see this incorporated and perhaps even the addition of 12 and 20 key predictive text modes. 2 default skins are available, downloadable / custom skins and layouts would be a definite benefit.
Weather
The pitch...
QUOTE Weather is a Windows Mobile software for getting weather forecast right on your device. It has intuitive and finger-friendly interface. In Winterface weather icon shows either the degrees of the first city in the list or the image that shows whether it is cloudy, snowy, windy etc.
- Weather for 100% USA cities & all major world cities
- Forecasting for up to ten cities at the same time
- Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature
In my words...
This is a simple (but free) weather application with a UI consistent with other iWMCS applications and support for multiple cities.
So what's it like?
Simple but effective.
The application is very finger friendly, has large clear graphics and shows the weather forecast for today and tomorrow.
What could be improved?
I'd like to see more colourful icons and the ability to have a 5 day forecast rather than 2 days. It's not clear how often the application updates it's forecast, ideally this would be configurable too. [Edit: It updates each time you enter the application, and every 90 minutes if you keep it open.]
Conclusion
At $39.95, the iWindowsMobile communication suite packs a lot in for your money, and as stated at the start, offers good value compared to buying the components individually. The degree of benefit you'll get on the whole does depend somewhat on what device you're using and what that has preinstalled. For example, if you are using an device that has pretty much zero crossover from the standard apps to what iWMCS provides, then that's slightly different from someone using a HTC device, which already has enhanced input methods, Weather etc. That said, even with the fancy UI replacements from companies such as HTC, there are few that offer the one click usability and access to common functions that you get from Winterface.
All of the applications here have a demo version available, so head on over to the Communication Suite page and give it a go for yourself!
Don't forget each component is available seperately if you find one particularly useful.
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 10th December 2008 - 21:19 |
Remember when Microsoft launched Windows Mobile 6, with Office Mobile support on Smartphone?
Remember how they neglected to include the ability to create new documents?
Remember how I released the application MoDaCo DoNew to provide this ability?
If so, then you may also be aware that DoNew has only supported Office 2003 file formats up until now. Well, i'm pleased to announce that MoDaCo DoNew has now been updated to support Office 2007 (Word 2007 and Excel 2007) documents!
You can download the new version from the original post, in CAB form for installation directly on the device. If you already have DoNew installed, hit up 'AppToDate' to get the latest version!
Enjoy, and please continue discussion in the original thread!
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 10th December 2008 - 19:40 |
After a very long delay for O2 approval, it's here, and with a free 8GB microSD too! Hurrah!
Click here to view... [aff]
I'm ordering one on the 35 quid plan with the 5 month half price line rental myself! I have a loaner HD at the moment and it's my new favourite Pocket PC...
Don't forget to use code 'MODACO' for a free 'Jabra Bluetooth 2010 Drive Pack'!
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Views: 4,137
Comments: 49
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 4th December 2008 - 21:49 |
If you have a Touch HD, then you've almost certainly experienced the bug whereby it freezes randomly for a few seconds at a time. Annoying no?
Well, you'll be pleased to hear that HTC have a HotFix available for download NOW here on their support site.
The details...
QUOTE Hot fix to enhance response time for HTC Touch HD Date: 2008-12-04 Category: Hotfix Sometimes the screen stops responding for about 3 to 5 seconds when running an application that needs to use the stylus to click the screen repeatedly within a short time. For example, the windows built-in software like SMS, email, solitaire, etc. Installation Instructions: Follow the instructions below to install this software onto your device. Note: This hot fix can only be installed in ROM version less than 1.19.xxx.x. To check your ROM version, tap Start > Settings > System tab > Device Information to confirm the ROM version. Follow the instructions below to download and install the hot fix on your device: - Make sure you have Microsoft ActiveSync® installed on your Windows XP PC orWindowsMobileDeviceCenteron your Windows Vista® PC. You can find Microsoft ActiveSync from this link or Windows Mobile Device Center from this link.
- Connect and synchronize your device with your PC via Microsoft ActiveSync® orWindowsMobileDeviceCenterusing the USB cable.
- To download the hot fix, first select the check box below. Next, select the hot fix and the desired FTP site then click Download.
- Copy the hot fix, which is an .exe file, to your device.
To install the hot fix, tap the .exe file and follow the on-screen instructions. * If you perform a hard reset of your device, you need to reinstall the hot fix after the hard reset.
A very annoying bug and a very welcome fix (that seems to work!)
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| Posted by Paul (MVP) @ 4th December 2008 - 20:46 |
I am delighted to welcome TapRoot Systems and their WalkingHotSpot application to our 'Plus Partners' program!
TapRoot Systems' WalkingHotSpot is an award winning product that provides a great solution to a problem that most of us face in the use of our connected smart devices... finding the best way to hook our phones up to other devices to share the internet connection.
About the application...
I've used a number of applications like this before, both free and commercial, and WHS is up there with the best - it just works - and works great. For me it's yet another Plus benefit that is party of my must-have on device toolkit.
You can read more about WalkingHotSpot here on the product page, where a 7 day trial version of the application is available - the full version retails at either a $24.99 one of fee or a $6.99 monthly pass. The site has a wealth of information on the product too - a FAQ, a full manual and a quick start guide.
MoDaCo Plus members, check out your dedicated area for YET ANOTHER great benefit
Enjoy!
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Click Here if you would like to learn more about joining MoDaCo Plus!
Would your company like to become a 'Plus Partner'? Click Here to contact us! |
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| Posted by Monolithix @ 3rd December 2008 - 13:47 |
Paul and I are proud to present the WinMo Week Nineteen!
In this weeks ~50 minute hardwarefest of an episode we're talking about:- Our new Expansys sponsored device: The Palm Treo 500
- The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
- Hands on with the HTC Touch HD
- T-Mobile/Google G1
- Windows Live Mesh
This is a follow up to the last episode covering our thoughts on some of the latest Windows Mobile hardware now we've had our hands on them for a bit! (...as well as the usual amount of tangents you'll find in our chats )
As with all our shows, this episode is available in standard MP3 format or as an enhanced M4A format with chapters, images and links for use on an iPod or in iTunes. You can get the podcast in the following ways:Your feedback is really valuable and will tell us whether it is worth our while to continue running the podcasts! Do you listen? What do you like? What do you not like? Please leave your feedback in the comments below, or on the phone in number answerphone (which you can also use for questions for the podcast), or rate us on iTunes!
The Phone in number is:
+44 1379 888 101
You can also leave a voicemail via Skype by calling:
skype user "modaco"
Or post back on the official thread:
Here!
Enjoy!
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