In the wake of the unveiling of Windows Phone 7, many are wondering if the smartphone they are using now will be upgradeable to this new operating system. According to a Microsoft executive, the answer is simple: no.Windows Mobile 6 and earlier gave device makers a wide range of options, but the next version is a major departure from previous practices, and Microsoft has set some rigid hardware requirements. Requirements that  exclude every current model.Natasha Kwan, who is in charge of Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific region, made this clear in a recent interview: “Because we have very specific requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series the current phones we have right now will not be upgradeable.” Read more here:

"Appear at Engadget’s The Engadget Show, Microsoft’s Aaron Woodman is showing an unannounced LG prototype smartphone with the new Windows Phone 7 Series. The LG prototype has a 4-rows QWERTY hardware keyboard, 5 megapixel camera and is just slightly thicker than iPhone and Nexus One. There isn’t any details info on the Windows Phone 7 software walkthrough, but check out more photos at Engadget site." via slashphone.com

"The Pharos 565 is a ruggedized Windows Mobile 6.5 PDA with a full QWERTY keyboard, QVGA color touch screen, built-in GPS receiver, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IrDA and RAW IR/SIR. The device comes with a powerful Marvell PXA310 624 MHz CPU, 512 MB Flash ROM, and 256 MB DDR SDRAM. The ruggedized Pharos 565 PDA is compliant with the International Protection Rating (IP54) standard and can resist a drop in a range of 4 ~ 5 feet. It includes the complete Office Mobile suite of applications. The unit is perfect for anyone who needs a complete mobile organizer, multimedia entertainment, and GPS navigation in a convenient, compact, and easy-to-use package. The package includes the 565 PDA, a long-life Li-Ion Polymer battery, AC adapter, USB cable, and the software you need to get started.
Features

• Windows Mobile 6.5
• Compact, ruggedized PDA with a full QWERTY keyboard
• Fast 624 MHz CPU with 512 MB Flash ROM and 256 MB SDRAM
• Bright 3.5” TFT color display with touch screen
• Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth for fast positioning and communications
• Support traditional IrDA, RAW IR/SIR, serial RS-232, USB interfaces
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Industrial IP54 grade ruggedized PDA
• 4-5 feet drop protection
• Tech support hotline: 1-888-PHAROS-8" More here:

Wondering why you couldn’t download the Skype for Windows Mobile from the company website? Skype has confirmed that it will no longer offer Skype for Windows Mobile, as it felt that the version is not offering the best user experience compare to Symbian and iPhone version. The company has posted a faq says, “We’ve chosen to withdraw Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile because we want to offer our new customers an improved mobile experience – much like the version that has proved so popular on the iPhone, and which is now available on Symbian phones. Our focus is on providing a rich user experience that allows you to enjoy free Skype-to-Skype and low cost calls as easily on the move as you do at your desktop. We felt that Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile were not offering the best possible Skype experience.” You will still be able to use the Skype service with your windows mobile smartphone if you have already installed though. You can also access the windows mobile download page manually by using the following URL http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windowsmobile/" via slashphone.com

Worldwide Mobile Terminal Sales to End Users in 2009 (Thousands of Units)

Note* This table includes iDEN shipments, but excludes ODM to OEM shipments.
Source: Gartner (February 2010)
In 2009, Nokia's annual mobile phone sales to end users reached 441 million units, a 2.2 per cent drop in market share from 2008. Although Nokia outperformed industry expectations in sales and revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009, its declining smartphone ASP showed that it continues to face challenges from other smartphone vendors. "Nokia will face a tough first half of 2010 as improvement to Symbian and new products based on the Meego platform will not reach the market well before the second half of 2010," said Ms Milanesi. "Its very strong mid-tier portfolio will help it hold market share, but its ongoing weakness at the high end of the portfolio will hurt its share of market value." Read more inside..

Beware our fellow readers; pdasnews.com has got for you the first exclusive review of Trigna from CrazySoft folks. Let’s start from the beginning: What the heck ‘Trigna’ means? The developers say this comes from the Greek word ‘Trigona’ (yes… without the ‘o’) which in the first place means ‘triangles’. I can verify that this is the case in this game, it’s all about triangles. Click here to read the full review.

Our verdict:
Congratulations to the CrazySoft  team for a fantastic original game. I can’t be mistaken because I am stuck on my phone since I started playing and I can’t help it! I believe we have something great here guys; maybe a ‘trigna’ mania is rising…

"Windows Mobile is reborn. We all met the new Windows Phone 7 and by the end of the year we'll meet the first smartphones based on it. Reportedly, Microsoft will launch their own phone in early 2011 as well. And it will be made by Asus. With the Windows Phone 7 Microsoft didn't start a new chapter in WinMo's history. They started it over. We'll see if it's for the better or for worse. According to the Northeast Securities analyst Ashok Kumar, there is more to see from the company. A Microsoft branded mobile phone. Currently, it's in the works and is expected to be ready for its premiere sometime at the beginning of the next year. Microsoft's own Windows Phone 7 smartphone will be a touchscreen-equipped bar made by Asus. None of the companies have neither confirmed nor denied that so far." via gsmarena.com

"Trigna is the latest trend in puzzle gaming. CrazySoft team is back, with a completely new, addicting and clever mind game. The Tile 'Trigna' derives from the Greek word 'Trigona' which means 'triangles', and this is what the game is about: making triangles...
• Gameplay
The objective of the game is to make triangles. Make triangles by clicking three marks of the same color. You only have some seconds until each round is over. Check the time meter. Try to make as many different triangles as possible in each round. Try all possible combinations you can think of. But remember: You cannot use marks of different colors and you cannot make the same triangle twice. Also don't choose marks that are in a straight line." Check this GREAT game here:

HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, today introduced the HTC HD mini, an HTC Sense-based Windows Phone focused on delivering the popular experience of the HTC HD2 in a more compact design.“The demand for the HTC HD2 has exceeded our expectations, and the HTC HD mini fulfils a desire from some customers to bring the capabilities and experience of the HTC HD2 to a more compact design,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation. “The integration of HTC Sense and Windows Phone on HD mini and HD2 gives customers an additional choice for an advanced Windows mobile phone that is sleek, well crafted and easy to use.” The HTC HD mini sports a high degree of usability along with its own unique and beautiful design. Precision fasteners used to assemble the phone are externally visible, displaying a high level of craftsmanship rarely found in mobile phones. And the strong design ethos continues under the battery cover where a bright yellow internal structure, offers an unexpected surprise when the phone is opened. " Read more inside..