Cringely’s right, Windows Mobile is dead

Cringely’s right, unless Microsoft gets around to doing something really radical with Windows Mobile, the platform will be all but dead in a few years.

So, why will Windows Mobile be dead in a few years? Like Cringely, I think that several factors are at work here:
Windows Mobile is an awful platformNot only is it an epic fail in terms on being a cut-down version of Windows, it can also be flaky and highly unreliable. I’m not saying that all WM smartphones are rubbish (some, such as Samsung’s BlackJack were actually quite decent), but the experience between vendors was very variable. I think that developing a good WM device was expensive, hence roundabout announcement that they are exiting the high-end (read WM) phone game.
Internet Explorer for Windows MobileHello Microsoft …. was this supposed to be a joke applications or something?
There are too many competing platformsiPhone, Android, Symbian, RIM, Windows Mobile … that a crowded market.
The high-end cellphone market is only so big85% of folks out there are more than happy with a dumb handset.
Only so many developers to go aroundiPhone and Android platforms are attracting a lot of developer attention. With ready-made stores, Microsoft has nothing like this to offer developers. As much as I like the Symbian platform on my new Nokia, I have to admit that iPhone and Android have some cool apps.
Unless you’re #1 or #2, what’s the pointIs Microsoft really going to pour the money and commitment that Windows Mobile really needs if there’s no chance the platform can’t be at the #1 or #2 spot? I don’t think so.
Time for Windows Mobile to evolve or die … and I’m not holding my breath expecting to see any evolving.

Source : http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=2848&tag=nl.e539

wats ur opinioin.

Template Code: DirectShow Application and Filters in Windows Embedded CE 6.0

This distribution contains template code for DirectShow source, transform and sink filters.  It also contains a simple DirectShow applicaton which connects the filters into a graph and runs the graph.

Note that while building and running the filters and application directly from this distribution will work, it will not do anything interesting.  Again this is template code, designed to abstract away the details of the DirectShow filter framework so developers can focus on adding the core functionality to their filters.

Download from Here

For the DirectShow Reference documentation, see

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa931414.aspx

Window Mobile 7 will contain Zune Softwares and Services

Microsoft plans to port its Zune music playing software to Windows Mobile devices, according to CEO Steve Ballmer. Zune software and services may become part of the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 operating system, though the company provided no further information.

Confirmation of the long-rumored move came during a lengthy interview with the U.K. magazine CIO. Ballmer told interviewer Martin Veitch, "What you’ll see more and more over time is that the Zune software will also be ported to and be more important not just with the hardware but on the PC, on Windows Mobile devices, etc."

"At the end of the day, one of the big trends is that all content is going digital. And if we don’t have the software and services that are useful, helpful and valuable for the consumption of music and video, we are sort of not really a player," added Ballmer.

Zune integration with Windows Mobile will apparently be a software-only gambit. Microsoft has repeatedly denied plans to brand its own "Zune phone," which would compete with the hundreds of Windows Mobile phones already being shipped.

Background

Microsoft's Zune PMP (portable media player) was first introduced in 2006, and is currently available in the five different models pictured below. Previously, the software giant has sought to distance the Zune from Windows Mobile, even though the device employs an ARM processor and uses a core operating system based on Windows CE.

The Zune's GUI (graphical user interface), called the "twist" interface by Microsoft, features typical music and playlist features, radio playback, and a "social" section that allows sharing songs and other information with other Zune owners. Like Windows Mobile's existing Windows Media Player, the Zune can play typical audio/video formats such as MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG-4, and H.264. To this, it adds compatibility with Microsoft's Zune Marketplace file format.

Via the Zune Marketplace online store, users can purchase songs individually, either by WiFI or by syncing with a desktop computer. Additionally, a "Zune Pass" permits downloading unlimited songs to a device for a $15 monthly fee. Finally, an interesting feature added to the latest Zune software release lets users tag a song being broadcast by an FM station for automatic later purchase, according to Microsoft.

In February, an entry on the Windows Mobile team's blog revealed that Microsoft is seeking ways to better integrate the Zune and Windows Mobile. Program manager Mel Sampat posted, "I'm wondering if there are any opportunities for us to improve the experience for people who use both devices. For example, viewing your Zune Social network in Internet Explorer Mobile, converting a Zune playlist into .WMA ringtones, [or] converting Zune's artwork to Windows Mobile themes."

However, Sampat added, "I'm certainly not hinting or speculating about a converged device," to the apparent frustration of many. For example, commenter Jef Kazimer wrote, "Windows Mobile needs to be the platform, and make Zune the ecosystem that runs on that platform. Make Zune the centerpiece for its core uses (Music, Video, Photos, Podcasts) and deprecate the Windows Media Player."

Official Embedded Theme for Windows XP and 2003

Looking for some embedded look to give your desktop..

Here is a new theme for Windows XP and 2003 users. Its called "Embedded" theme. Its an official Microsoft theme so you'll not need to patch anything. You can apply it without any problem.

This theme has been taken from “Windows Embedded Standard CTP Refresh” and works perfectly in Windows XP and 2003. I have done testing on my system.

Download following ZIP file, extract it and run the .EXE file. After that you can apply the theme from Desktop Properties. A sweet wallpaper is also included in the pack.

Download Official Embedded Theme for Windows XP and 2003

Thanks to vishal for finding out askvg.com