Is that Windows Mobile in your pocket?

How to Play .3gp files created by your Windows Phone on your Desktop

2009-04-01T00:56:00Z

If you’ve ever recorded a video on your Windows Phone you may have noticed that the extension is .3gp. Well, .3GP is a simplified version of the MPEG-4 (MP4) container format, designed to decrease storage and bandwidth requirements in order to accommodate mobile phones. This is great if you are worried about storage size but it is an issue if you try to play the video on your PC. As it turns out, Windows Media Player doesn’t support .3gp out of the box. Since this is an issue, you are going to need to install the codec for .3gp or an application that supports .3gp. Here I’ve added links for both. Quicktime from Apple supports the .3gp format so you can watch your movies on your PC, and if you’d like to use Windows Media Player I suggest downloading the The Combined Community Codec Pack. This, more commonly referred to as the CCCP, is a collected archive of codecs (video compression filters) packed for Microsoft Windows. This package has pretty much any codec you can think off and supports any type of video format I’ve come across.

Apple QuickTime
Cost: Basic Version: Free | Pro Version: $29.99
Site: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Combined Community Codec Pack
Cost: Free
Site: http://www.cccp-project.net/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Community_Codec_Pack

Windows Mobile Encryption and Security Certifications

2009-03-03T23:33:24Z

There is a lot of talk about what policies Windows Mobile Supports and you can find a Matrix here on the various security policies you can apply to Windows Phones. Today I’ve decided to expand a little on the on device encryption and SD Card encryption policies as well as outline some of the details around Common Criteria Certification and FIPS Compliance that Windows Mobile enjoys.

On Device Encryption

Windows Mobile 6.1 supports AES 128 Encryption for On Device Encryption. If this policy is enabled in Exchange, you will encrypt the PIM.VOL file which contains all your Email, Tasks, Calendar Info and your notes. It will also encrypt the TEMP Directory and the My Documents Folder. In short your critical information will be encrypted. Mobile Device Manager (MDM) gives you the additional ability to also encrypt other directories.

Note:

1. There is no way to export the Encryption Key

2. The Encryption Key Changes on Hard Reset

3. Device encryption can only be enabled via a security policy there is no way a user can enable this feature in Windows Mobile.

SD Card Encryption

Windows Mobile 6.0 onward supports AES 128 Encryption for files written to the SD card. If this is enabled either by the user or via policy then any files that are copied to the SD Card, edited on the SD Card or moved to the SD card will be encrypted. Any files that existed on the SD card that were obtained from other sources like a PC will not be touched. If you removed the SD card from the Windows Phone you WILL NOT be able to read the encrypted contents on any other Windows Phone or PC.

Note:

1. There is no way to export the Encryption Key

2. The Encryption Key Changes on Hard Reset

Common Criteria Certification

Windows Mobile 6.1 obtained Common Criteria Certification. The Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (abbreviated as Common Criteria or CC) is an international standard (ISO/IEC 15408) for computer security.

Common Criteria is based upon a framework in which computer system users can specify their security requirements, vendors can then implement and/or make claims about the security attributes of their products, and testing laboratories can evaluate the products to determine if they actually meet the claims. In other words, Common Criteria provides assurance that the process of specification, implementation and evaluation of a computer security product has been conducted in a rigorous and standard manner

Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 completed evaluation to Common Criteria EAL 2 augmented with Flaw Remediation (ALC_FLR.1) in the AISEP on 7 August 2008.

The Windows Mobile 6.1 evaluation builds on and extends the core security features of the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 evaluation at EAL 2+.

Further details about the scope of the evaluation can be found at http://www.dsd.gov.au/infosec/evaluation_services/epl/mobile_products/windows_mobile_v6.1.html

FIPS Compliance

Windows Mobile 5.0 onward supports the technologies required for Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) compliance. FIPS certification is required for selling products to the federal government. Some security-sensitive industries such as finance and insurance, have also adopted FIPS certification.

FIPS 140-1 and its successor, FIPS 140-2, are U.S. Government standards that provide a benchmark for implementing cryptographic software. They specify best practices for implementing cryptographic algorithms, handling key material and data buffers, and working with the operating system.

An evaluation process administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cryptographic Module Validation (CMV) Program (http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/) allows encryption product vendors to demonstrate the extent of their compliance with the standards, and thus the trustworthiness of their implementations.

Further details about the scope of the evaluation can be found at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc182284.aspx

How to Backup, Auto Reply, and Send to Predefined Groups, with SMS Text Messages

2009-02-20T23:32:32Z

While the ability to send and receive SMS and MMS has existed for quite a while in Windows Mobile still can’t Send SMS messages to Predefined Groups, backup SMS messages to the desktop and auto reply to missed calls. Well it looks like the guys at Trinket Software have seen the gap and come up with a great application called PowerSMS with a great UI to make SMS great on Windows Mobile.

Features

Note to Self: A quick way to send yourself a Note.
Group SMS: A feature that lets you create groups of contacts, and drastically reduces the number of clicks required to text them.
Auto Reply: If you’re in a Movie, or a meeting and want to let people messaging you know, this app can respond to those calls automatically with a text message, thus politely letting them know where you are and that you'll call back.
Schedule SMS: Schedule SMS or reminders in advance.
Cool Stats: Get Stats on who and when you SMS.
Backup & Restore: This app will help you archive, transfer or export messages to your computer or to another phone.

Price: $9.95
Site: http://www.trinketsoftware.com/powersms/

Sneak Preview of a Windows Phone running Windows Mobile 6.5

2009-02-16T22:34:27Z

At Mobile World congress Microsoft announced that the never version of Widows Mobile would be Windows Mobile 6.5. here is a sneak peak at what we can expect.

You can see the Video comments on new solutions coming to the platform.

A brand new touch User Interface
New Experience with Internet Explorer
New Cloud Services such as My Phone

Windows Mobile 6.1.x Upgrades and Build Levels

2009-02-13T01:31:47Z

I’ve been getting questions on what the latest version of a ROM versions for Devices. Well I’ll be honest, its not an easy thing to keep tack of. That said Marco Nielsen has been doing a great job of keeping track of the latest and greatest.

He’s been compiling a running alphabetical list of which devices now have official supported upgrades available for them since the summer of 2008. This may be useful for many of you when implementing SCMDM and researching which devices are compatible.

http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/mnielsen/archive/2009/01/24/windows-mobile-6-1-x-upgrades-now-available.aspx

How To Browse with Firefox on Windows Mobile - Fennec

2009-02-11T21:17:32Z

Mozilla's mobile Firefox browser, which is codenamed Fennec, is now available for Windows Mobile. Mozilla has released a pre-alpha test build of the Windows Mobile port for users who want to get an early look at the program. This release is designed to work on an HTC Touch Pro and might not work yet on other devices.

The release is distributed as a 9MB CAB installer which you can download from Mozilla's FTP repository. It includes a mobile version of XULRunner which is used as Fennec's runtime. The port is still at an early stage of development, but the availability of a Windows Mobile version demonstrates Mozilla's commitment to bring the browser to a wide range of handsets across multiple platforms.

The mobile browser market is highly competitive and there are some compelling alternatives to Fennec that are already available for Windows Mobile users. Opera has done great things with Opera Mobile 9.5, which delivers a Web browsing experience that rivals the iPhone and has some interesting additional features such as support for the W3C Web widget standard. Another alternative that has a lot of potential is SkyFire, a mobile browser that leverages sever-side Gecko rendering and provides excellent support for streaming video. Microsoft is also gearing up to Internet Explorer 6 to replace its current version of Pocket Internet Explorer.

Fennec offers several key advantages over the rest of the pack, but the most significant is its extensibility. Much like Firefox on the desktop, Fennec is designed to support third-party extensions that can increase the functionality of the browser and enhance the user interface.

Here is a video of the Alpha from Pocket Now that does a great job of giving you an overview.

Price: Free
Site: http://www.mozilla.org/projects/fennec/1.0a1/releasenotes/

Blog Article Adapted From:
http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/02/mozilla-launches-fennec-milestone-release-for-windows-mobile.ars

How to Twitter with Windows Mobile

2009-02-06T09:48:54Z

I got the question the other day on using Twitter with Windows Mobile, luckily there is a great application already out there for Twitter on Windows Mobile - PockeTwit

“What I like is that it works on both your Pocket PC device and smartphone. Mike points out that when you post a reply or an update, PockeTwit will automatically grab your GPS co-ordinates and update your location information to reflect that. And, what I think is very cool is the ability to include a picture from your camera as you enter a post.”

A screenshot doesn't really do it justice, the kinetic list and side menus have to be experienced to understand.

Features:

A unique user interface
Works on VGA, QVGA and SmartPhone devices
Support for multiple twitter and identi.ca accounts
“Conversation View” shows a what this status was in reply to.
Uses standard notifications to alert you of new friends statuses or replies
URL shortening with is.gd
Take photos and send to TwitPic
Integrated search.twitter.com
Clickable @names, URLs, and #Hashtags
Option to check for new version on startup
Themes

Price: Free
Site: http://code.google.com/p/pocketwit/

Blog Article Adapted From:
http://mobilitysite.com/2009/02/pocketwit-a-very-cool-twitter-client-2/

Syncing Windows Mobile with a Mac – The Missing Sync

2009-02-04T05:07:36Z

When you buy a Windows Mobile phone you end up with a few CDs. Many of you may just throw them away and hit the net for what you really need, but if you look in the box you’ll find that there is often a copy of Outlook, a disc with Activesync 4.5 (to sync with XP) or perhaps it may even have WMDC (Windows Mobile Device Center that allows you to sync with Vista and now Windows 7). What you won’t find in the box is any software that would make a Mac user happy.

As it turns out, there are plenty of people who own a Mac and love Windows Mobile, and as it turns out they just want some love. Well thanks to Mark/Space there is a product that has been appropriately named “The Missing Sync”. The software isn't free but it does allow you to start syncing your Windows Mobile Phone with a Mac.

The latest version allows you to sync via Bluetooth, USB or a network. It syncs your calendar to Entourage or iCal, syncs your contacts with iCal and the Address Book, and even lets your sync your music with iTunes.

Its a must have it you use a Mac.

Cost: $39.95
Site: http://www.markspace.com/products/windowsmobile/mac/windows-mobile-sync-software.html

- Update 2/5/2009 -

I was just contacted by Eltima Software who has a free alternative. According to Eltima, their Syncmate product includes iCal Calendar synchronization and contacts synchronization for Windows Mobile 6. In addition Syncmate allows you to use your Windows Mobile Phone’s internet connection with your Mac. Its great if you’re at a coffee shop without WiFi and want to browse the web.

The also have an “expert edition” that costs $39.95 that includes the following features

Bookmark synchronization
Folders synchronization
iPhoto synchronization
iTunes synchronization
Notes synchronization
Time synchronization
Mail plugin
SMS manager plugin
Applications list plugin
To Do's plugin

Cost: Basic Version: Free | Expert Version: $39.95
Site: http://www.sync-mac.com/syncmate.html
Feature Comparison: http://www.sync-mac.com/syncmate-expert.html

Syncing Windows Mobile with iTunes

2009-02-04T04:41:20Z

As it turns out, a lot of people are using iTunes to manage their music, and they want to start taking advantage of Windows Mobile’s Media player. Well it looks like there are a few solutions out there from free to pricy, and I’ve commented on a couple.

1. iTunes Agent – Price: Free
Site:http://ita.sourceforge.net/

iTunes Agent is a small application resting in your system tray constantly looking for new MP3 players and other music capable devices connecting to your system. When a device it recognizes is connected to the system, it will create a playlist for the device in iTunes and it will synchronize that list with tracks on your device.

You may then modify this list, add and remove tracks, before you tell the iTunes Agent to synchronize the list with your player.

NOTE: Your windows Mobile phone may not show up as a drive according to iTunes Agent and hence it may not work.

2. TunesSync – Price: $9.95
Site: http://www.pocketmac.net/products/tunessync_windowsmobile/index.html

TunesSync for Windows Mobile is a simple, yet powerful app that allows you to copy your favorite iTunes playlists to your Windows Mobile Phone. You can set up TunesSync for Windows Mobile so that every time you connect your handheld to your PC, TunesSync for Windows Mobile automatically runs and copies the music you want copied. The Storage Card Sync feature allows you to sync only to your Storage Card.

3. Pocket Tunes – Price $37.95
Site: http://www.pocket-tunes.com/?page=overview

Pocket Tunes is a Windows Mobile Media Player replacement that syncs with iTunes in its latest release (Version 4.1). Pocket Tunes does a lot more than just syncing with iTunes but it may be overkill if all you want to do is sync.

Once you get your Windows Mobile Phone syncing with iTunes don’t forget to grab a pair of Bluetooth headphones and listen to the music on your phone wirelessly.

Setting up Verbose Logging in Windows Mobile and Parsing Logs

2008-12-04T21:46:27Z

If you are running into sync issues, or you’d like to troubleshoot an Activesync issue on your Windows Mobile Device, setting up Verbose Logging and parsing the logs is sometimes the quickest way to find the problem.

Setting up Windows Mobile for Verbose Logging

Open the Activesync Application on the Windows Mobile Phone.

Click Menu – > Click Options –>

Make Sure Microsoft Exchange is Highlighted

Click Settings –> Click Next on the Server Settlings Screen

Click Next on the User Information Screen –> Click Menu on the Server Settings Screen

Click Advanced –> Set Event Logging to Verbose

The log is saved in text format in the Windows\ActiveSync folder, for example
windows\ActiveSync\serverlog0.

The log file is cleared at the beginning of each synchronization session. To retain the log file, copy or rename the log file before you start another synchronization session.

To copy the log file:

Synchronize your PocketPC device with the server. If the synchronization fails, synchronize until the point of failure.
Disconnect your PocketPC device to prevent the log file from being overwritten if an automatic synchronization is scheduled.
In Windows Explorer, expand My Device, expand Windows, and then locate the log file that is in the ActiveSync folder.
Rename the log file.
Connect to the desktop.
In the desktop ActiveSync program, choose Explore, browse to the ActiveSync folder, copy all the Log file to a folder on the desktop.
Turn the logging back to Brief or None.