It's been just two weeks since we saw the first signs of a Windows Phone 7 Series theme for Windows Mobile 6.5 and now the beta is available via a CAB file. This first version includes the people hub, live tiles, a program launcher, and bing search.

It's early days yet but, if you're willing to take the plunge and give feedback then you can get that Windows Phone 7 Series feel on the link below.

Link - xda-developers.com
Credit - mobiputing.com

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Hey you. You lovely, lovely person you. See all this news 'n stuff ? That's all because of you that is. If you've heard or seen something we've not covered, give us a nudge. We love your mails and tweets. Sometimes we print them off, tear them up and stuff them into pillows to sleep on. Come on, don't be scared now. ;)

Link - Email us

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The comScore MobiLens service reports on trends in the US mobile industry. In the three months between October 2009 and January 2010 their stats, which come from Smartphone subscribers aged over 13 years old, show that Microsoft appear to have lost ground, the iPhone has plateaued but the Google Android OS has more than doubled it's share.

This graph, taken from gizmodo, shows the change on the previous figures and - although Android remains a smaller player - their rate of growth is pretty amazing.

Windows Phone 7 Series, which was recently announced at Mobile World Congress, will hopefully reverse the slide for Microsoft. However, there's a number of months to go before this OS appears and we'll be keeping an eye on the next stats when they appear.

Link - comScore
Credit - Gizmodo.com - Techcrunch.com

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Some months ago I blogged about how the Google car had snapped pictures of my entire family. Today the journey is complete and all those millions of photos are online. Google Street View has expanded to cover most of the UK and it's available right now, in your hand.

Your street, your house, your car and possibly everything else is now in the Google matrix. It's on your phone too. I tested it on a HTC Hero and grabbed this screenshot from a very tiny local lane. Even dirt tracks appear to have been covered with your Windows Mobile or Android now getting the updated images.

I'm counting the minutes until (A) Lots more "strange images" are found (B) Someone films themselves outside their house viewing Google Street View on an Android phone with compass mode turned on or (C) This hits the newspapers with headlines shouting about "invasion of privacy".

Link - google.co.uk/maps

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Google have added a new version of their YouTube application which improves speed and helps to make finding videos easier.

"In today’s release we have added search query suggestions, ‘My Account’ support, and a new homescreen user interface that is optimized for larger screens. Now when you log into your YouTube account on our phone, you can view your favorites, subscriptions and playlists from wherever you are. Let’s say you have recently found an amazing basketball shot video and favorited it on your desktop PC. When you’re at the basketball court with your friends all you need to do is launch the YouTube app and go to your “Favorites” to show it to them."

There's also suggestions which - just like Google search - will pop up as you search for videos. To grab it, grab your phone and browse to m.youtube.com/app or click below for the details..

Link - Google Mobile Blog

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For the first time I'm not starting this with an author's note! Oh, wait. Damnit.

So, we've finally got some concrete details about the future of Microsoft operating systems on mobile devices. I'm impressed with some of what Microsoft have done; Requiring minimum device specifications is clever, and stops underpowered devices giving WP7S a bad name. A greater focus on usability and interface is a no-brainer, and the Zune and Xbox Live integration is a godsend. However, I see a lot of potential flaws and downsides that mean my next phone won't be running a Microsoft OS. And that kinda sucks for them, because I'm a young consumer, the exact kind of market Microsoft should be targeting. Then again, I'm not exactly normal.

Firstly, the name. “Windows Phone 7 Series.” It's... actually kind of terrible. Not only is it a bit of a mouthful, with an acronym worse than “L4D2”, but it's slightly confusing. It implies that this is the 7^th generation of Windows Phone, which is technically true, but doesn't represent the clean break they are trying to make. Additionally, the “series” part makes it seem like there's going to be multiple versions, something they haven't mentioned. A “series” would be better as branding for a, well, series of high-spec devices Microsoft want to promote. It might be that Microsoft were trying to build on the success of Windows 7 by using the 7 to make people associate the new OS with the first universally hailed Windows OS for some time, but if that was the idea, they'd have been better going with “Windows 7 Phone”, as it suggests a direct relationship, something Microsoft would be wise to promote. As it is, “Windows Phone 7 Series” just seems too confusing and wordy, especially compared with the likes of “WebOS” and “Android”.

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Microsoft have confirmed once again that the brilliant HTC HD2 won't be getting Windows Phone 7 Series. About a week ago Microsoft stated that the HD2 wouldn't get the upgrade due to it having "excess buttons" and now Mary Jo Foley has had an email from Microsoft which sings from the same hymn sheet..

"We currently do not have plans to update the HTC HD2 to Windows Phone 7 Series.”

The email also states that Microsoft aren't confirming any Windows Mobile 6.5.xx upgrades to Windows Phone 7 Series, no matter what the handset..

"For Windows Phone 7 Series we are enforcing a strict set of hardware requirements to ensure a consistently great experience for end-users and developers. While we cannot confirm that WM6.X phones that satisfy those requirements will be upgradeable, every Windows Phone 7 Series device will be upgradeable with improvements and features we deliver with subsequent Windows Phone 7 Series releases."

So, if you buy a WinMo 6.5.xx phone that meets the Windows Phone 7 Series requirements - one that has the right amount of buttons and the right specs - Microsoft still "cannot confirm" that it'll be upgradeable. Choose wisely Luke Skywalker.

Link - zdnet.co.uk

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Want to see some shots from some early Windows Phone 7 games? Engadget have had a sneaky peak at the future developments, although you can't see too much about it just yet. Some screenshots are available though and it's certainly looking very promising. Developers will use the XNA Game Studio software to develop games and they'll work across the Windows Phone 7 Series, Xbox 360 and Windows PC.

According to Microsoft we will see full-screen 3D and there's more to come. It seems like Windows Phone 7 Series will be a "mobile Xbox" and we're glad to see Microsoft putting the developers tools out there. Let's hope that the cost of development is kept low to get that software library built up quickly.

Links - Engadget.com

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Today I'm proud to announce our new mobile phone deals website. Working in partnership with The Blog House I wanted somewhere where you guys could search all those thousands of tariffs on all the networks and find the best deal.

To find a plan, just head to deals.coolsmartphone.com and choose the phone you want. Our system will then go through every deal out there, across all the networks, and you can choose the one that suits you. There's Windows Mobile handsets like the Toshiba TG01, HTC Snap, Diamond2, Touch Pro2, Touch2 and of course the HTC HD2. Android handsets like the T-Mobile Pulse, Acer Liquid, HTC Tattoo and Motorola Dext are also included, and you get a choice of colours for the HTC Hero - white, pink, graphite or brown. This isn't just a comparison site - this will compare the comparison sites too!

Now, I'll level with you here. Yes, we do receive a bit of commission if you buy a phone through deals.coolsmartphone.com. Everything goes back into the site to ensure that it loads quickly, we can attend product launches and get the very latest devices for review. I'd like to see you get a good deal (and perhaps get a free gift too!) when you renew your contract or buy a phone, so click on and have a search. :)

Update - Wowser! HTC Desire Deals are now online!

Link - deals.coolsmartphone.com

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Here in Europe we've had our greasy mitts all over the HTC HD2 for quite some time. It's now appearing out in the USA with TmoNews grabbing shots of it in T-Mobile branding.

The Windows Mobile-powered HD2 is, let's admit it, the best Windows Mobile handset out there at the moment. A 1Ghz CPU and HTC Sense come together on a 4.3" screen with additional specs including WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus / flash, G-sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, GPS, digital compass, 3.5mm audio jack and a 1230mAh battery.

If you're in the US and looking to buy, dive into our review below.

Links - TmoNews.com - HTC HD2 Review

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Wanna see a Windows Phone 7 Series game? During TechEd Middle East an "Indiana Jones" game which was built in Visual Studio. It was displayed on the same test unit we saw during Mobile World Congress and uses the accelerometer and touch controls.

Development across various Microsoft platforms (like the Xbox 360) means you can stop playing on one device and continue on with another. Click on to see it in action.

Link - YouTube.com
Credit - Sam Moore

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We and several hundred other press members got into a scrum at Mobile World Congress as Windows Phone 7 Series got demonstrated. It was a little full-on, so it's great to see a nice up-close video instead. Fellow Microsoft MVP Chris Pirillo has added a great video overview of the new OS here on YouTube. The video shows the prototype handset and Chris gets a good poke around the OS.

Opinions ? Well Chris loves it and rightfully so, Windows Phone 7 Series definitely has the wow factor and looks very smooth. The rumours of particular chassis specs and more Microsoft control means that this experience will be maintained, controlled and updated more closely.

Link - YouTube - Chris Pirillo
Credit - Pete Nate

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