Microsoft filed a patent for Windows Phone 7 Series Panoramic UI

Microsoft [MSFT] announced Windows Phone 7 Series a few months back now which included a new panoramic user interface that could be used to scroll sideways around menus. It’s quite an impressive user interface that actually surprised a number of people as it actually looked good. Microsoft for the last 10 or more years have generally stuck to the same UI for mobile phones and for some reason, they came to a realisation with Windows Phone 7 Series and created something far better.

I think we can also safely say that Microsoft also think their interface is good too as they applied for a patent to protect the methodology and application of it back in summer of 2008. The patent will allow only Microsoft to use the interface and no others without permission… they have patented the whole thing by the way.

From what we understand, Microsoft are also patenting other things related to the Windows Phone 7 Series user interface and as of yet, we are not sure what else has been applied for and of course, we don’t know if the applications will get granted (ie, if they are unique etc…). [Read more…]

HTC Desire gets an OTA Firmware Update

If you are one of the lucky ones to get your hands on a HTC Desire in the last week or so since it launched, then you might be surprised to know that HTC are already pushing out an OTA update to it to install a new firmware. Once installed the phone will then run version 1.15.405.4.

HTC haven’t mentioned what is included in the update, but we suspect a couple of tweaks here and there to help the phone run smoothly.

HTC recommend that when you get the message informing you an update is ready that you either download the update over Wi-Fi, or have an unlimited data plan to avoid the cost of downloading the update. [Read more…]

Quake II Ported to HTML5 – 30fps Achieved

Quake II has been ported over to HTML5 by some Google [GOOG] guys with some spare time. To get it working they first used Jake2 (a Java port of the Quake II engine) and then mixed it somehow with the Google Web Toolkit and then compiled it to Javascript. I am sure it might be a tad more complicated than I make it sound, but as I really have no idea exactly what that means, I’ll trust it was done by someone who did know what to do.

The video below (after the break) shows Quake II running in a browser and I have to say it’s very impressive what can be done in a web browser. It really does show what HTML5 is capable of. Running a laptop the frame rate per second reached 30 frames which is quite an impressive achievement (which even surprised the Google guys working on it). [Read more…]

JooJoo has Finally Arrived

Engadget are reporting that they finally received their JooJoo from Fusion Garage. Timing might not have been the greatest leading up to the huge launch day of that other tablet device (Apple iPad if you hadn’t guessed).

Rather than doing the full review now, Engadget decided to leave it for a few days so they could get familiar with the device and give it a fair review. Also in a video created by Josh, he also mentioned that due to the big news event tomorrow the Engadget site probably didn’t have the bandwidth to cope with two large stories running, as well as having staff already assigned to the iPad and other reviews for the day. [Read more…]

Find my iPad App Launching on MobileMe

MobileMe is an application available for Apple [AAPL] that allows various functions to be performed such as syncing email, calendars and other information across devices to make sure all stays in sync. One of the features is called Find My iPhone which allows you to track the location of your iPhone when lost. The software remotely activates the GPS and transmits details to you so you can track it down. If you think you have no hope of finding your phone you can also perform a remote wipe ensuring that your data is not found by others.

Find My iPad is now launching on the MobileMe service which allows you to do exactly the same as a lost iPhone… track it down or remote wipe it.

Things to note with the iPad version is that the wireless version doesn’t have a GPS built in, and to find out where your iPad is, it will need to be connected successfully to a wireless network. Due to working out locations based on wireless networking, it will be nowhere near the accuracy of a GPS enabled device, so really the Wi-Fi+3G Apple iPad is really what you want here thanks to it’s built in GPS and 3G connectivity. [Read more…]

Marvel Comics App for Apple iPad Reviewed

BoingBoing were one of the lucky group to get hold of an Apple iPad before launch to give it a review. Along with that, another review was also done for the Marvel Comics App that is launching with the iPad.

When launched tomorrow, the Marvel Comics app will have 500 titles available for download. Most of the titles cost in the region of $1.99 to download them. As well as a number of them costing to download, there will also be sections available for free. The applications also includes access to all the classic comics which includes Avengers, X-Men, Hulk, Spider Man, IronMan and other titles that you will be familiar with.

The review is quite positive mentioning that the scrolling is intuitive, brisk and elegant. Smoothness of the application was also a nice element to it. [Read more…]

WSJ Apple iPad Subscription confirmed at $17.29/Month

The price of a WSJ subscription on for the Apple iPad has now been revealed. The cost to get content on your Apple [AAPL] device will be $17.29/month which will include the ability to download a 7 day archive of news so you can take it along with you if you have no wireless connection available.

The subscription cost works out at $3.99/week which with the extra 2 or 3 days added on brings it up another dollar or so to the $17.29 that will be charged to your card each month.

Would you pay to access news on WSJ? You will probably admit that they do push out some great content (and award winning content at that), but with so much news around the internet is it really worth subscribing to the service? [Read more…]

Apple iPad Apps now in the iTunes App Store

In preparation for Saturday’s Apple iPad launch, Apple [AAPL] have now opened up iTunes to show applications for the iPad (link will open up iTunes).

Once loaded up you’ll see a list of all the apps available for the Apple iPad that can be purchased now. When clicking on an application you then see the option of viewing screen shots for the iPhone version or iPad version as pictured below.

A lot of the applications we have already heard about due to leaks over the past week or so, but now it’s official you can go ahead and start purchasing them. [Read more…]

Apple iPad Queue Already Started

In NYC a queue for the Apple iPad has started… even though it’s more than a day away. The first person in-line is a guy called Greg Packer who incidentally was the same guy who sat 1st in line for the iPhone a few years ago.

The line has started and we hear there aren’t too many iPad’s going on sale, so if you want one you’ll need to get there and queue up behind him asap, or find another store to go to. Hopefully you did the sensible thing and just pre-ordered one online about 3 weeks ago and if so, it will be delivered right to your door this Saturday assuming you get Saturday UPS deliveries in your area. [Read more…]

HTC Hinge Patent Revealed – Are HTC Building a Courier Style Booklet Device?

HTC have applied for a patent that indicates that are working on a device with a new hinge mechanism. From what we can see in the patent it looks like a clamshell device will open up with a smooth surface. The outer side will also have the hinge hidden.

It’s a unique way although it reminds us (and WMPoweruser) of how a kitchen cabinet door opens which isn’t exactly unique.

From the patent… “A handheld electronic device includes a first frame, a second frame and at least a pivot mechanism. A first connecting rod of the pivot mechanism has a first pivot part, a third pivot part and a second pivot part between them. The first pivot part is slidably disposed on a first groove of the first frame, and the third pivot part is pivoted at the second frame. A second connecting rod of the pivot mechanism has a fourth pivot part, a sixth pivot part and a fifth pivot part between them. The fifth pivot part is pivoted at the second pivot part, the fourth pivot part is slidably disposed on a second groove of the second frame, and the sixth pivot part is pivoted at the first frame for the first frame and the second frame to be opened and closed by the pivot mechanism.” [Read more…]

Macally VIEWSTAND for Apple iPad

The Macally VIEWSTAND is an aluminium built stand for the Apple iPad [AAPL] that can hold the iPad in three different ways.

The viewstand can lay flat to prop up the back of the iPad allowing you to easily type while at a desk. Flip it on to it’s end you can then position the iPad in either portrait or landscape mode perhaps for viewing photos or video or even using a wireless keyboard to type on.

The stand it’s self looks very impressive and has a slick design that looks kind of Apple like. [Read more…]

Windows Phone 7 Series Apple iPhone Theme in the Works

The Windows Phone 7 Series theme for the Apple iPhone [AAPL] is something you don’t expect to see every day. However, this has been done. A user called woocash-kun found over here has created a theme that runs on his iPhone.

The downside is that the theme hasn’t been release yet along with instructions on how to install it. If he does release it you’ll need to jailbreak your phone to install it.

What you will get in the theme is the home page for Windows Phone 7 Series that you can easily scroll down. Along with that a second page with smaller icons is also included. Right now some of it doesn’t work such as the status bar although there is a very good lock screen clone for those of you who prefer the WM7S version. [Read more…]