Tuxtops

StyleTap has released version 1.0 of its Palm OS emulating platform for Windows Mobile devices. StyleTap allows mobile users to run almost most applications and games written for any version of Palm OS (including version 5 applications that use ARMlets) on their Pocket PC, even a VGA-enabled one, with no compromise on performance or functionality. Network applications work great through Wi-Fi, serial or USB connections. There is also support for IrDA and Bluetooth communications.

Samsung has taken the music phone concept a step further with the release of a device that could very easily be mistaken for being just an MP3 player. The new Samsung SGH-X830 'Mini MP3 Phone' combines the ease of use of a music player with full phone functionality in a stylish design.

Microsoft was kind enough to get Gizmodo some hands-on time with the Zune, not batting an eye as we eagerly slided the player down our pants, enjoying the material it was made out of. Our thoughts first, then a gallery later. And a video of the UI here.

In his latest review, Adama D. Brown takes a close look at HP's most recent handheld, a Pocket PC with a GPS receiver and 2 GB of built-in storage.

I have already reviewed a couple of Vaja cases in the last few months, but this item seems to top them all in practicality, usability and looks. Read more for our experience witth the leather pouch for HTC's Windows Mobile-based phones.

The pouch we received is black with a dark red stripe. It looks strikingly beautiful and posh. This case can fit the HTC Apache & Wizard-based cellphones, including models such as the Sprint PPC-6700, Verizon XV6700, T-Mobile MDA Vario, i-mate K-JAM, Cingular 8125, Qtek 9100, Orange M3000 and the O2 XDA minis. I tested it with my QTek 9100.

The pouch fits my Qtek smartphone nicely. The device is not moving inside its case while at the same time is very easy to remove it from the case if necessary. There is a cut on the front-bottom of the pouch (which exposes the IrDA on the QTek 9100). When you need to remove the phone from the pouch to answer a call, you simply press upwards at this part and the phone will spring out!

There are no major cuts on other parts of the pouch and depending on the HTC phone you own you will find the existing cuts useful or not. For the QTek 9100 it exposes the wrist wrap hole (so you can attach a wrap and hold the phone inside the pouch as such) and the headphones jack. The rest of the buttons are securely protected, including the power button.

The pouch has a very workable magnetic snap closure mechanism. Personally, I prefer this over manual closing because it's much faster and it actually locks securely. This snap mechanism is a good indication to the overall good quality of the product.

The back of the pouch has a belt loop although it's pretty small and I think that it won't fit some belts. Nevertheless, most belts should fit and that would be a good solution to not have to carry around your phone in your hands all the time. Additionally, the Vaja web site says that there are 3 miniSD slots in the pouch, but the model I received had none in it. On the other hand, on the web site you can choose between many different colors and designs.

As always, Vaja offers the best material quality in their cases. Real leather that proves to be beautiful, soft and strong and durable at the same time. There is no other company today that offers so many cases for so many gadgets with such high quality. The HT041 pouch sells for $65 and it's highly recommended if you need a protective case for your HTC smartphone.

Rating: 9/10

Opera Software has released a beta of Opera Mini v3.0. Opera Mini is a smartphone optimized web browser that runs on almost every mobile phone including the Palm Treo. The new version adds secure browsing, RSS feed preview and aggregation, a photo upload feature and content folding.

After Windows Mobile 2003 came Windows Mobile 5.0 to synchronize Windows Mobile naming scheme with underlying Windows CE naming schme. That's why Windows Mobile 6.0 will be most likely based on Windows CE 6.0, now with "Embedded" in name: "Windows Embedded CE 6.0".

No, this is not the rumored Apple iPod-based cellphone. Instead, this is a capable VoIP USB phone manufactured by Red Chief. Geeks.com sent it over for a review of this promising Skype and SIP handset.

The installation of the iPhone Pro is very easy, you just plug the device into a USB port. The USB cord is about 1.4 meters long. The handset comes with a very handy cradle, which not only makes it look really cool in your desk, but it's also very handy as it displays the name or number of the caller. In the box you will also find a small manual and the software CD that includes the drivers for the special Skype support.

The device has a rubber-based keypad with an up and down key, hang up and pickup buttons, a special button that brings up the "contacts" screen on Skype, one that navigates the Skype Tabs, and one that minimizes Skype. On the left of the device you can find a button that enables speakerphone functionality, one that can put a call on hold, while one the right side of the device there is a + and a - buttons that control the handset's volume. On the top left thre is a small light that flashes green on an incoming call.

Of course, the handset works with any VoIP application (it's essentially an external 16bit sound card), but if you want to make use of its extra abilities and buttons, then a special addon driver is required. So far, the handset's addon driver only supports Skype. One very useful feature is that the device has a built-in voice mail recording, voice message recording, and call conversation recording function.

Regarding other operating system support, the basic usage of the VoIP phone works with Mac OS X and Linux. But there is no Skype addon driver for these operating systems, so none of the extra buttons will work on these OSes.

Overall, this is a pretty good VoIP handset and if you are a Windows Skype user you will love it. For other VoIP applications or operating systems you will have to live with compromises. Build quality is good though, sound quality is good and for $17 this is a steal.

Rating: 8/10

Access will contribute a mobile application platform to the open source community before year's end, it says. Its "Application Framework" for GTK+ aims to offer device developers specialized mechanisms for package installation, task-oriented application interoperation, and security policy definition and management. It will be released under the Mozilla Public License.

The Sony Mylo Personal Communicator I've been testing is a tough sell. Short for My Life Online, Mylo is a cool-looking palm-size black or white gadget aimed at the college crowd. With its slide-out "qwerty" keyboard, Mylo is easily mistaken for another gizmo targeted at youthful customers: T-Mobile's Sidekick 3 cellphone.